It is the day before New Years Eve and I was thinking about it and wondered how many countries see in the new year with fireworks, the answer is somewhere between 100 and 120, that’s more than I thought.
Some of the biggest firework displays take place in Sydney, London, Las Vegas and Ras Al Khaimah. Some sources say the biggest display is in Ras Al Khaimah.
The cost of the firework display in Sydney is around $6 million, I have no idea how much is spent in other places, but I expect it is a bloody lot.
Here people start finding their spot to watch them fireworks from early on in the day as many of the prime free vantage points officially open around 9am–10am, and people begin queueing before opening time. These spots often hit capacity by lunchtime. A couple of free places are Hickson Road Reserve opened at 9am and reached capacity just after 12:30pm another is Bennelong Lawn, Tarpeian Lawn, Campbells Cove, and Circular Quay also open around 9–9:30am and fill quickly.
Most areas with clear views of the Harbour Bridge or Opera House are already packed or close to it by 12pm–2pm.
If you arrive after 4pm, your chances of getting into a top-tier free spot (Opera House surrounds, Mrs Macquaries Point, Circular Quay) drop dramatically. Many will already be closed due to capacity.
Some vantage points (e.g., Opera House forecourt) are ticketed and sell out well in advance. These guarantee entry but still require arriving early for a good position.
You may be thinking why so early?
Sydney draws over one million people to the harbour foreshore each NYE. With limited space and strict entry controls (no re-entry, bag checks, alcohol restrictions), people settle in for the whole day.
So, what do people do while waiting, well some read, some play board games or listen to podcasts and some take a nap. Of course, people need to make sure they have food, water and sunscreen and some kind of shade gear.
Three countries that do not celebrate NYE are Iran as there New Year is in March, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somala to name a few.
So, the year is all but over and that had me thinking about which country would be the first to see in a new year and which would be the last. So, this is what I found out.
The place to see the New Year first is Kiribati, specifically Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Line Islands. Not to be confused with the Christmas Island that is a territory of Australia and in the Indian Ocean.
The Line Islands (also called the Teraina Islands or Equatorial Islands) are a chain of 11 atolls and low coral islands stretching more than 2,350 km across the Pacific. They lie south of Hawaii and are among the longest island chains in the world.
Why is it the first well it’s because it sits in the UTC+14 time zone — the earliest on Earth — which puts it ahead of every other inhabited place when the first of January arrives.
In 1995, Kiribati shifted the International Date Line eastward so all its islands would share the same calendar day. As a result, Kiritimati became the first inhabited place to celebrate the New Year.
The last inhabited place is American Samoa in UTC−11.
However, the very last to see in a new year that would be Baker Island and Howland Island these are uninhabited U.S. territories.
Today being the last Monday of the year, I will tell you a bit about Christmas Island.
Christmas Island is one of those places that feels almost mythical until you dive into the details, it is a tiny Australian territory in the Indian Ocean with wildlife and landscapes you won’t find anywhere else.
It sits about 350 km south of Java and 1,550 km northwest of mainland Australia. Despite being closer to Asia, it’s an Australian external territory with a population of around 1,692 people as of the 2021 census.
Its capital and only town is Flying Fish Cove, often simply called “The Settlement.”
Christmas Island is often called the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean” because of its extraordinary biodiversity and minimal historical human disturbance. two-thirds of the island being a national park.
It’s home to millions of red crabs, whose annual migration to the sea is considered one of the world’s great natural spectacles — even praised by David Attenborough.
Every year, usually mid‑November to mid‑December, around 60 million red crabs march from the forest to the ocean to spawn. Roads close, bridges are built for crabs, and the whole island transforms into a moving red carpet.
There are also rare seabirds, tropical rainforests, freshwater wetlands, and dramatic sea cliffs.
The island is surrounded by pristine coral reefs and has more than 60 dive sites visitors may encounter whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, as well as other reef life.
It was named because it was sighted on Christmas Day in 1643 by Captain William Mynors and was first settled in the late 19th century due to rich phosphate deposits
Today it is Inhabited by a mix of Chinese, Malay, and Australian communities, reflected in languages, food, and festivals
Here we are at another Sunday, I hope everyone who reads this is well.
Had a good night, Tasha came and helped me get ready for me as Tim is working.
Being Sunday, it is no alarm day so up at 6am not 5am at 6.30 it is 22C or 71F and I am already starting to sweat.
I had a good 10hrs & 15 mins of sleep. My BGL is 7.0
I cleaned the kitchen, threw a load of clothes on to wash, hung it out and took clothes hoists outside, swept the flood as didn’t want to disturb Tim and fed the birds all by 6.30am.
Speaking of Tim he didn’t get home till 2am.
By 10am it was 34C or 93F, at midday I started to feel unwell, I have a headache and my concentration is terrible, it is now 37C or 98.6F.
This afternoon Tim decided he wanted to buy a portable air conditioner for the lounge room, so did some checking found on at Big W in Mount Hutton and bought it, he should be able to pick it up tomorrow. They had some in stock, but I didn’t want them to be sold out by the time Tim would get there to buy one had that type of thing happen in the past.
Tim checked the thermometer outside at 2pm and it read 45C or 113F.
Steps: 13,821 = 8k’s or 5 miles.
Up at 5am, showered and dressed it is very warm with a temp of 28C or 82.4F, I had a good night’s sleep getting BGL was 6.5 at 6am.
When Tim went pick up the new portable air conditioner, I had him dropped off me off at the plaza so I could do some shopping.
This afternoon it rained for a while, then stopped only to start again.
I have not felt well on and off all day and think I will be in bed early.
Some people have senior moments I have Parkinson’s moments, lately what is in my head comes out wrong from my mouth and it is so depressing, I am getting names wrong calling him her or her him I feel distressed when I do this and wonder what others are thinking about my stuff ups.
I went to share the above paragraph to Facebook only to get a message that my account had been, they wanted me to verify who I was I did what was asked and I will see tomorrow if it has been reinstated.
Steps: 7,411 = 3.7k’s or 2.2 miles
I had a good night’s sleep getting 9hrs, it is 20C or 68F at 5.30am we are headed for a top temp of 30C. My BGL was 7.0
When I checked Facebook, my account had been permanently deleted, so I tried to create another account, but it was rejected. I then came across the account in the name Anne Meadows, and it works do that is what I am using.
Sue and I took Jeannie’s Christmas present from me then we went to visit mum & dad.
I opened Sue’s gift to me, 2 diaries, a small calendar and a small plaque with a message to a sister.
Tim went and set Sue’s new air con up in her bedroom and he also set ours up in the dining room area and it made a big difference. I could tell Tim was surprised how well it worked.
It reached a top of 33C or 91.4F
Steps:9,768= 4.9k’s or 3 miles
Had another good night which 9hrs & 30mins of sleep, my BGL was 6.7 and the temp at 6am was 20C or 68F. we are looking at a top temp of 30C or 86F.
I mopped the bathroom and kitchen floors as well as vacuum out. At 9am it was 24C or 75F.
My brother and Sister in-law came over to drop of some were here e turkey while they were here, I gave them their presents, Leigh seemed to really like her gifts.
By 3pm it was 28C or 82.4F, we don’t have the air con on.
I feel so sad this afternoon, I can’t say why because I don’t know. Sue sent me a photo of Archie and that made me smile and feel a little less sad.
Tim has been helping Natasha with a few things without complaint, she has stripped and repainted one of her bedrooms, wall and ceiling and door, she removed the door and replaced it herself after she sanded it and repainted it. The room looks good, when she is done with this room she is going to start on another one.
Steps:13,385 = 6.8k’s or 4.1 miles
CHRISTMAS DAY
I have been up since 4.35, as I was having trouble sleeping, couldn’t lay on my left side it hurt my shoulder, couldn’t lay on my right side it hurt my hip and laying on my back made that ache.
Jessica and Sam came over at 7am and opened their presents, Tim got up to watch. After they left Tim asked why I gave Sam a skirt and how I was enabling him in his silliness. I said I am supporting her in her decision.
Tasha came down to let us know she will prepare dinner for us not lunch as Jess is sleeping most of the day as she is working tonight.
Later, around 11.15am Blain and Ta’lia arrived and I gave them their presents T was surprise that I gave her so much but seemed pleased with everything.
Kathy rang around 2pm to wish me Merry Christmas.
Dinner was at 4.15pm, Tim cooked the meat and Tash made potato bake, it was ok.
Sandy rang to wish me Merry Christmas
Steps: 6,220=3l’s or 1.8miles
BOXING DAY
Here we are at the 26 Dec. 25 and down here we refer to this as Boxing Day don’t ask why, I don’t know we just do.
I am up showered and dress it is a nice 17c or 62f at 5am, my BGL was 6.5 and I had 9hrs and 55mins of sleep last night.
It is a cold day I am in long leggings and socks to keep my feet warm.
I was so very tired that at 10.30 I went and had an hour nap, after that I was more awake and with it.
We went to Kathy’s for lunch which was wonderful, I had a good time, and I think the gifts we gave were liked.
The top temp was only 19c or 66f.
Steps:6,820=3.4k’s or 2.1miles
Had a good night’s sleep got 8hrs & 35mins, I am now up washed and dressed the temp this morning at 5.30am was 14c or 57f. My BGL was 6.6.
Tim and I are going out to lunch at the Eastern Tiger.
I got motivated to clean the bathroom and do some dusting this morning. By 9.30 it was 20c or 68f.
Lunch was ok I didn’t eat much just no appetite. Got a text from Leigh and it has been decided to cancel the siblings gathering this year as none of us are feeling it.
Kathy rang this afternoon and she was in a right mood; she is pissed that no one other than her and Sue gave me a Christmas present as she feels I do so much for everyone else. She said I shouldn’t be getting them any gifts for them. I said that’s not how I am.
How was everyone’s Christmas, mine was ok nothing great, I just haven’t been feeling this year, in fact we have cancelled the siblings gathering as none of us are feeling it this year. Both me and Sue have decided that next year instead of going to Dave’s we all should go out for lunch at the Eastern Tiger and I suggested that next year instead of Tasha cooking lunch for us we should go to the Eastern Tiger and she liked that idea.
GIFTS FROM SUE
As for gifts well Tim gave me nothing, Tasha gave me nothing, Jessica gave me nothing. Kathy-Lee gave me some nice oils, Sue gave me2 dairies, a small calendar and a sister plaque.
KATHY’S GIFT TO ME
On Boxing Day Tim and I went to Kathy’s for lunch and Michael made his smash burgers which are so yummy, he also made homemade garlic bread that was also so nice.
KATHY’S GIFT TO TIM
Today the 27 Dec Tim and I went to the Eastern Tiger for lunch, Tim commented that I didn’t eat much but my appetite has been very low.
Today is Christmas Eve, so I am telling you a bit about what Christmas Eve is like here in Australia.
It is not a public holiday here, but it isn’t uncommon to find some businesses closed early, Tim went out to his favourite butcher only to find it had closed at midday due to it being Christmas Eve.
One of the most cherished Australian traditions is Carols by Candlelight. Participants light candles or glow sticks, creating a magical scene as the sun sets. The televised Melbourne Carols by Candlelight is a national favourite, watched by thousands around the country.
Another big event is Carols in the Domain which is recorded before the 24 Dec but televised on the night of the 24th
These big events often have ticketed seats with the money raised from the ticket sales going to charities.
Many local communities gather in parks, beaches, and public spaces to sing Christmas carols, often with live performances by local artists.
In my family Christmas pillow cases were left at in the lounge-room for Santa to fill, we also left out some fruit cake and can of beer for Santa.
Another bloody hot day, not like the weather in North Pole Alaska, which is the place we are looking at today.
North Pole is a small city in Alaska that fully embraces a year‑round Christmas identity. Despite the name, it sits about 1,700 miles south of the actual geographic North Pole.
It has a population of around 2,243 according to the 2020 census. It is located 20 minutes southeast of Fairbanks, its zip code is 99705 which is often used for letters to Santa.
The towns motto is: “Where the Spirit of Christmas Lives Year Round!”
The towns biggest attraction is Santa’s house which has a giant Santa statue, Christmas décor, reindeer and what feels like an endless number of ornaments and gifts.
The street names are Santa Clause Lane, Kris Kringle Drive, Mistletoe Lane to name a few.
The local post office receives hundreds of thousands of letters every year addressed simply to “Santa Claus, North Pole, Alaska”.
It’s a quirky, charming stop for travellers heading through Fairbanks — especially those who love Christmas or want a fun photo op with the giant Santa.
Good morning, everyone, here in my par.t of the world it is hot but not stinking hot, yesterday it was so hot you felt like one was melting, and the heat made me feel unwell, today it is a lot cooler at 29C or 84F compared to yesterday’s 40C or 104F.
Anyway, since Christmas is only a few days away, I thought we would look at where Santa lives.
In most English‑speaking cultures Santa lives at the North Pole, a remote, icy point at the very top of the Earth. According to holiday tradition experts, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves spend the year in a workshop there, making toys and preparing for Christmas Eve.
Did you know The North Pole has no time zone, which adds to the mystery, and it sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, covered in shifting ice rather than solid land.
No humans live there permanently, which makes it the perfect secret base for Santa’s operations.
However, in many European traditions—especially in Scandinavia—Santa is said to live in Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland.
There’s even a real place you can visit which is Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, right on the Arctic Circle.
This village embraces the idea that Santa has lived in Lapland “for centuries,” and visitors can meet Santa any day of the year, cross the Arctic Circle line and explore snowy forests and reindeer country.
It’s a blend of folklore and tourism, but it’s become the “official hometown of Santa Claus” for millions of people.
Tomorrow I will tell you a little about North Pole Alaska
Jo-AnneRamplings 