Parramatta under smoke

Fortunately I live nowhere near the bush fire areas, and am very happy not having to show you photos of the smoldering remains of my home. And since I don't work in the city, I also don't have any pictures of Sydney icons like the Harbor bridge or the opera house covered in smoke, or Bondi Beach under an eerie yellow-ish sky.

Still, even without any famous landmarks, the thick clouds of smoke made for a dramatic view; and so, here are some of my pics from Thursday, October 17, 2013:

Looking north on O'Connell Street, Parramatta


Looking east, towards the center of Parramatta


Looking west, from the rooftop car park of the Westfield shopping center


Looking north, from the rooftop car park of the Westfield shopping center

International Fleet Review (2)

After a long wait, it was time for the main attraction; the light show and fireworks display. To tell the history of the Royal Australian Navy, impressive images and film clips were projected onto the Opera House and the pylons of the Harbor Bridge. While it certainly was a fantastic show, it didn't make for great photography (and my somewhat obscured vantage point didn't help either), so the following pics focus mainly on the actual fireworks display.

Colorful late afternoon skies over Sydney


Darkness descends


Showtime!














The end

International Fleet Review (1)

While I didn't have to attend all the events around the International Fleet Review, I did make it to the festivities and fireworks on Saturday night. These are some pictures from Circular Quay and the Opera House forecourt (fireworks pics to follow soon-ish).


Just as I was arriving, the Rhapsody Of The Seas was departing from Circular Quay


View of the Opera House forecourt




The Royal Australian Navy band is entertaining the crowds






Navy chick taking happy snaps of the band


Singer of the Melbourne Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band


The Royal Australian Air Force pays a visit with the Air Force Roulettes in their Pilatus P9As

Wentworthville fire

A few pictures from the site of the building explosion and subsequent fire in Station Street, Wentworthville.

For the Before situation, please check out Google Street View.

Anyway, here's what it all looked like yesterday (the day after the event):

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