Every year Broome’s festivities come to life with the colorful awakening of Sammy the Dragon which is the patron Chinese dragon and is dramatized to awaken from a year long slumber. For the next ten days the entire city is lit up with color, lights, paper lanterns, the night sky is lit up with traditional fireworks and you will find amazing stalls, Asian cuisine, performances and so much more at the Shinju Matsuri which in Japanese is translated to ‘Festival of the Pearl’. So get ready for sum oriental fun in Broome and book your cheap flights to Australia.
The Shinju Matsuri is an experience like no other and marks the natural phenomenon known as “The Staircase to the Moon” at the end of August to early September where the full moon is low and reflects on the ocean to appear as if there is a stairwell leading right up to it. Broome first started celebrating this festival in 1970 when all the local community leaders decided to mark all the town’s celebrations that occurred close together and this festival marks the end of the pearl harvest.
Every year the festivities showcase all the traditional and also contemporary talents in the city and they celebrate culture, diversity and history. All major events are family friendly and allow you different opportunities to experience fusion culture at its best:
· Dine at the “Long Table Broome Fusion Lunch”
· Dance and click your heels together at the “Shinju Ball”
· Sample all the amazing local delicacies at the “Pearl Meat Cook Off”
· Watch and be amazed by the colorful “Street Float Parade”
· Join in the fun at the oriental “Mardi Gras”
· Compete in the challenging “Dragon Boat Race” – you just might win!
Other than all of this there will also be several major concerts and art performances by classical Japanese singers and dancers. The fireworks display is also a sight not to be missed and the best part is that it is free and can practically be enjoyed from almost any rooftop. Different fascinating street performers also make for a fascinating see and you will also find colorfully alluring stalls lining the streets. These street vendors and stalls sell traditional Asian crafts, souvenirs, and a multitude of other mystical items. The streets vendors even allow you to sample some unique fusion street food which may be traditional Australian mixed with some Asian ingredients to make a unique combination.
Other than this the Cable Beach itself provides enough sunshine and vibrant night life to enthrall anyone. So plan ahead and book your flights to Broome now for a unique adventure of a lifetime at the Festival of the Pearl.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.