Before Conde Nast Traveler arrived, I didn't know Kiribati from hara kiri, which incidentally is all that's left for those who haven't yet reserved a grass hut there for New Year's Eve. Taken, all 700 beds. On Samoa, parties are scheduled on both sides of the line.
Firsts are big.
Tonga claims the first lottery of the new millennium. You only get crowds that big for truly historic events, like the baring of Monica Lewinsky's tawdry sex life. But it will be a busy night. Cruises are sold out, Disney World is filled up and the midnight celebration at the Taj Mahal will be standing room only, never mind it won't even be a Hindu new year. And the manger is booked, darn it.