I can't recall a time where I've counted down to the start of a new year with anyone other than those in my immediate and extended family. This also means that I've never watched New Year's fireworks besides through an LCD screen whilst clad in cozy attire in the comfort of my own home.
This changed this year.
This changed this year.
The aim of attending the chaotic celebration was to set up camp in a prime location to practice long exposure photography. Prior to this, we headed to Man Doo Hyang for hearty Korean food. (It was my mainly my decision, but the KBBQ-lovers obtained a decent share of meat in their dishes all the same.)
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< Pictured above: Jjajangmyeon, Soondae, Bulgogi, Ox Knee Soup, and various side dishes. >
To finish off the meal on a sweet note, I had wanted to try the last destination mentioned on insauga for halo halo: FV Foods. To my dismay, the store was observed to be pitch black as we pulled up, signifying a lack of operational activities. With no other available options for Filipino shaved ice, I suggested trying out the newly-opened King Paan at Confederation and Eglinton.
The store was eerily empty, despite the spacious dining area, high ceilings, brightly-lit LED menu screens, and colourful display of rent-able movies. I ordered the King Falooda, an Indian dessert composed of short pieces of vermicelli, basil seeds, vanilla soft serve, chopped pistachios, and generous amounts of rose syrup - hence the musty pink hue.
The vanilla soft serve actually melted by the time the man had completed his concoction and dug the inverted straw into the cup. For the most part, the dessert provided an interesting mix of textures, though proved to be excessively sweet for my liking. Consequently, I was only able to consume half of the falooda before grudgingly having to toss the rest of my four dollars.
The other members of the group opted for a much safer choice: Matcha Red Bean Milk Tea from CoCo. (I wish I had done the same...)
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We arrived at Square One shortly after 8:20 PM, and were able to secure a parking spot in close proximity to the square rather easily. With the exception of a lengthy lineup for skate rentals, the area was still largely unoccupied even though the stage performances had already commenced.
It wasn't until 11:00 PM when the crowds began to gather.
A sea of toque-donning heads gradually closed in on the stage as the final hour of 2015 ticked away.
View the full album HERE !
The skating rink was closed at 11:30 PM, allowing the crowds time to disperse and re-assimilate around the perimeter of the rink in preparation of the fireworks show.
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A series of saturated light bursts filled the sky as the seconds were counted down, and 2015 was concluded with joyful cries and awed expressions.
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