Bonfire night is here and, weather permitting, you’ll perhaps be joining in the festivities by visiting your local park’s own extravaganza or by maybe holding your own private party. Either way, it’s a pretty safe bet that somewhere along the way, there will be fireworks involved. Though here in Britain we associate them most with 5 November and Guy Fawkes’ foiled plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, elsewhere in the world, they’re more famous for marking other notable calendar dates. Here’s a look at some of the places where you can enjoy some truly world-class fireworks while on your cruise.
Hong Kong for Chinese New Year
The first date in our calendar is Chinese New Year. It’s different from our celebrations in a couple of ways, in that it’s based on the lunar calendar, meaning that the date is never exactly the same, though it falls anywhere roughly between the last week of January and the first two weeks of February. In 2016, it will fall on February 8, marking the start of the Year of the Monkey, and if you’re on a Far East cruise around that time, there’s a good chance you’ll dock in Hong Kong’s Victoria Bay to watch the spectacle for yourself.
Quebec City for National Holiday or Canada Day
French Canada has a number of different observances from the rest of the country, and though it causes some tension in certain quarters, it does mean you’ll have a choice of two fireworks displays if you’re on a Canadian cruise towards the end of June which calls at Quebec City. Quebec’s National Holiday is celebrated on June 24, on the feast day of Saint Jean Baptiste and the traditional fireworks over Quebec City’s Parliament Building on the eve of the day are something spectacular. Your next chance to see fireworks in the city comes shortly after on July 1, Canada Day, which is Canada’s National Day, celebrating the enactment of the Constitution Act of 1867 which united three colonies into the country we now know as Canada under the British Empire.
New York for Independence Day
The day on which America celebrates its independence takes place on July 4 and no matter where you are in the country, you can be sure of festivals and fireworks. However, if you’re on a transatlantic cruise around that time, you’ll have the opportunity to join in the celebrations in New York itself and witness one of the country’s most famous displays, iconic department store Macy’s extended fireworks extravaganza.
Paris for Bastille Day
Celebrated throughout France on July 14, Bastille Day takes place on the same day as the storming of the Bastille, though it actually marks fete de la Federation, which celebrates the establishment of the country’s constitutional monarchy. If you’re on a European cruise in the summer which calls at the port of Le Havre, you’ll be able to explore Paris for yourself, as it’s the port of call for France’s capital. It goes without saying that the Bastille Day fireworks are truly something special.
Copacabana Beach for New Year
Every major city in the world pulls out all the stops to help bring in the New Year and you’ll no doubt be familiar with the TV coverage montage showing the scenes in such cities as New York, Sydney, Tokyo and London. However, nothing quite compares to soaking up the party atmosphere on one of the world’s most famous beaches, then taking in a legendary display regularly watched by over two million people. Take a South American New Year cruise which calls at Brazil’s legendary capital Rio de Janeiro and you’ll be able to do join in the festivities and witness one of the world’s most famous fireworks displays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mnOphE6KKo
By Simon Brotherton
Google
photo credit: Dennis Wong via photopin cc
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