THE BEST PLACES TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S EVE
By now, I think it's common knowledge that I have a serious dislike for New Year's Eve. Or rather, for New Year's Eve in the Netherlands. Paradoxically, I am very fond of fireworks, but I only want to see that fireworks in another country. Why I find New Year's Eve so stupid you can read here, and now we will continue with the best places that are NOT the Netherlands to have a great New Year's Eve.
Rio de Janeiro
Last year, I wanted to go to a place where it was warm and where spectacular fireworks would be visible. Those were pretty much my Google search terms, and every site said I had to go to Rio. And so it happened. New Year's Eve is quite a big deal for Brazilians, and on the 31st, Copacabana beach fills up with a good three million people from all over the country. Everyone is dressed in white because that's how you enter the new year clean. The government provides a fireworks show and places large loads of fireworks on gigantic cargo ships that lie kilometers wide at sea, which go off at midnight. That show lasts about half an hour, and in the meantime, you stand with your feet in the water or sand, surrounded by millions of ecstatic people entering the new year. Afterwards, it is tradition to throw a white flower into the sea as an offering to the sea goddess Iemanja. Then you walk backwards out of the water because you must not turn your back on the goddess. Once back on the beach, you can go to one of the many stages for a bit of samba dancing, and of course, there are delicious caipirinhas available everywhere.
New York
It's not really warm there in December (it's downright freezing), but celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square is quite a thing. Not according to the real New Yorkers, by the way, who are horrified by it. But it is spectacular, and you really have to see the ‘ball drop’ at least once in your life. The Times Square Ball is a, yes yes, ball, on the roof of One Times Square. One minute before midnight, the ball is dropped 43 meters and reaches the bottom at midnight, ringing in the new year. There is a lot of fireworks involved, and all in all, it's just mega impressive. Afterwards, please quickly head to Meatpacking for a responsible party.
Sydney
In the famous harbor of Sydney, roughly a million people gather to witness the immense fireworks show. The party lasts all day and night, and besides fireworks, various acrobatic shows are held in the water. And, good news, it's also summer here in December.
London
A few years ago, I went to London with friends for New Year's Eve. I kept saying everything was fine, “as long as I can see the fireworks.” London has one of the most beautiful fireworks shows, and I really wanted to see that. We, naive teenagers that we were, headed towards the Thames around 11:00 PM where the fireworks are launched. But that is just a bit too late, because tens of thousands of people did the same, so in the end, I was stuck in a subway, deep underground, when above my head the fireworks went off and the new year arrived. So, the moral of this story is, definitely go to London, but be on time.
Canada
This year, I was flown to Toronto with Air Canada and visited, among other things, Niagara Falls. They should definitely be on your bucket list, and since they are now on it, you might as well go during the New Year’s Eve. A gigantic light show is given, thousands of kilos go up in the air, and the Falls themselves are beautifully illuminated. Go.
Hong Kong
Four years ago, I spent a few days in Hong Kong, and what stuck with me the most was the immense skyline. If you think New York is the queen of skylines, Hong Kong holds its own. Everything is illuminated, and millions of dollars worth of fireworks go up in the air. Victoria Harbour is the centerpiece of the evening where you can stand on the side, buy a (expensive) ticket for a boat, or park yourself on a rooftop terrace. ‘Oh's’ and ‘ah's’ guaranteed.
