Whether you celebrate it on the first of January according to the Gregorian calendar or at another time according to other varied calendars, the New Year has one thing in common: It is a pretty big deal. People plan for weeks, dress up, and travel to places and if you are in a really cheesy movie schedule fateful meetings on top of famous monuments. Fireworks, music, and drinking make obvious our tremendous joy at the earth having completed an entire revolution (well…nearly) around the sun. There is no denying it; we humans adore both new beginnings and happy endings.
So while you are planning for this New Years, why not take into account some interesting facts about countries and cities and how and when they celebrate their new Years. Maybe you will find a new and fascinating place to visit here!
Kiribati and Samoa beat us all at celebrating the New Year.
Seriously! According to the Gregorian calendar, these two tiny island nations are the first of us to ring in the New Year. So if reaching January was a race they would win! If you are in a hurry to get started with your next 365, why not travel to Kiribati or Samoa? Kiribati while unheard of by most is also a wonderful place to see vibrant corals and try your hand at fishing. We hear that the Samoan islands are also quite picturesque making them a wonderful travel destination. Do we hear a trip in the future? Yes we do!
China follows the moon on this one:
If you are in China on the 31st of December… well you’ve reached a month too early. This year the Lunar New Year falls on our 31st January 2014 which is when Chinese celebrations will be in full swing. The Chinese New Year is the most important and the longest festival they celebrate to it really is worth the wait by our standards. The houses and roads are cleaned thoroughly and brightly lit up and they make delicious dumplings to celebrate the New Year (in case you needed more reasons for going). And don’t worry… there will be fire crackers (which are especially loud because the Chinese believe this drives away the evil spirits) and the celebrations go on for 15 days!
Sing in the New Year in London:
If you happen to be in London for New Year’s also be therewhen the Big Ben strikes 12. Apparently people gather around to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ which is a Scottish song written by the famous poet Mr. Robert Burns. This very warm and fuzzy sort of a custom certainly beats any noisy, crazy party. If you aren’t a big fan of warm and fuzzy, of course you can head over to just about anywhere and pick a place on the London skyline. Be it the London Eye, one of Thames’ many bridges, the Shard, One Canada Square or anywhere really, the fireworks and the gorgeous city make it an amazing experience.
The Metros do it best:
If you want the most Spectacular show The Big cities do New Year’s the best. Be it New York, Las Vegas, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo or Paris; the metros put on an incomparable show. The fireworks, the drinks and the parties make them the places to be. Ring in the new Year in style!
The Spanish Say it with…err...grapes?
If you’ve watched the popular show Modern Family, you probably know this. Like Gloria says, it is a popular Spanish tradition to eat exactly twelve grapes (yes, Sherlock, they represent the 12 months of the coming year) at midnight. The NocheVieja (New Year’s Eve) is a giant party. However, it is advised that you begin to get drunk only after midnight since that is what the Spanish. Why, you ask? Ah well, remember… there are grapes to be eaten! 4 loud gongs sound to indicate the grape-eating (and consequently getting very drunk) time and that is when the celebrations begin. The party then continues into the wee hours of the night. Well, as they say, when in Spain, do as the Spaniards do, and drink up!
Too slow Hawaii!
If you loved 2013 too much and are in denial, head over to Hawaii. You will be able to escape the New Year Just a little bit longer than the rest of us. This country is the to reach the New Year in the Gregorian calendar. The 50th United State of Hawaii is also an amazing place to see. The gorgeous Flora and Fauna and the white sandy beaches are so inviting, we dare you to resist its charm!
Well, in keeping with the tradition of enjoying this huge holiday that pretty much unites the whole of Mankind in celebration here is a big cheer to the year past and all that it was and the coming year and all that it holds! Happy NEW YEAR!
(Photo credits: Main Photo by Amodiovalerio Verde, Second Photo by chooyutshing via Flickr)
Kiribati and Samoa beat us all at celebrating the New Year.
Seriously! According to the Gregorian calendar, these two tiny island nations are the first of us to ring in the New Year. So if reaching January was a race they would win! If you are in a hurry to get started with your next 365, why not travel to Kiribati or Samoa? Kiribati while unheard of by most is also a wonderful place to see vibrant corals and try your hand at fishing. We hear that the Samoan islands are also quite picturesque making them a wonderful travel destination. Do we hear a trip in the future? Yes we do!
China follows the moon on this one:
If you are in China on the 31st of December… well you’ve reached a month too early. This year the Lunar New Year falls on our 31st January 2014 which is when Chinese celebrations will be in full swing. The Chinese New Year is the most important and the longest festival they celebrate to it really is worth the wait by our standards. The houses and roads are cleaned thoroughly and brightly lit up and they make delicious dumplings to celebrate the New Year (in case you needed more reasons for going). And don’t worry… there will be fire crackers (which are especially loud because the Chinese believe this drives away the evil spirits) and the celebrations go on for 15 days!
Sing in the New Year in London:
If you happen to be in London for New Year’s also be therewhen the Big Ben strikes 12. Apparently people gather around to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ which is a Scottish song written by the famous poet Mr. Robert Burns. This very warm and fuzzy sort of a custom certainly beats any noisy, crazy party. If you aren’t a big fan of warm and fuzzy, of course you can head over to just about anywhere and pick a place on the London skyline. Be it the London Eye, one of Thames’ many bridges, the Shard, One Canada Square or anywhere really, the fireworks and the gorgeous city make it an amazing experience.
The Metros do it best:
If you want the most Spectacular show The Big cities do New Year’s the best. Be it New York, Las Vegas, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo or Paris; the metros put on an incomparable show. The fireworks, the drinks and the parties make them the places to be. Ring in the new Year in style!
The Spanish Say it with…err...grapes?
If you’ve watched the popular show Modern Family, you probably know this. Like Gloria says, it is a popular Spanish tradition to eat exactly twelve grapes (yes, Sherlock, they represent the 12 months of the coming year) at midnight. The NocheVieja (New Year’s Eve) is a giant party. However, it is advised that you begin to get drunk only after midnight since that is what the Spanish. Why, you ask? Ah well, remember… there are grapes to be eaten! 4 loud gongs sound to indicate the grape-eating (and consequently getting very drunk) time and that is when the celebrations begin. The party then continues into the wee hours of the night. Well, as they say, when in Spain, do as the Spaniards do, and drink up!
Too slow Hawaii!
If you loved 2013 too much and are in denial, head over to Hawaii. You will be able to escape the New Year Just a little bit longer than the rest of us. This country is the to reach the New Year in the Gregorian calendar. The 50th United State of Hawaii is also an amazing place to see. The gorgeous Flora and Fauna and the white sandy beaches are so inviting, we dare you to resist its charm!
Well, in keeping with the tradition of enjoying this huge holiday that pretty much unites the whole of Mankind in celebration here is a big cheer to the year past and all that it was and the coming year and all that it holds! Happy NEW YEAR!
(Photo credits: Main Photo by Amodiovalerio Verde, Second Photo by chooyutshing via Flickr)
This post was written by Stephen Rogers
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