STORY:
Somoa The Last Place To See 1999

Islanders on the "wrong" side of the dateline are planning big farewell party

With so much of the world's focus has been on the best place to see the first dawn of the Year 2000, or experience midnight and a new millennium, Somoa is proud to lay claim to be the last place in the world to see a sunset in 1999. While the centerpiece for most New Year's Eve celebrations is midnight, December 31, Somoa's centerpiece is 7:02pm December 31, 1999 - the time experts reportedly say the sun will dip below the horizon.

Islanders have identified the spot to see the last sunset of 1999 as Sunset Beach at Cape Mulinuu, near the village of Falealupo on the northwest tip of the Samoan island of Savaii. The spot is just 32k east of the International Date Line, reportedly the most westerly spot from the dateline in the world, but not that far from islands claiming to see the first sunrise of 2000.

News accounts say villagers are already cleaning up the undeveloped and primitive beach with the expectation of hosting a party for 5,000 people. The villagers have a long way to go to create accommodations for so many people. They plan to build dozens of fales or huts for people to sleep in near the beach.

The festivities are still in the planning stages, but preliminary plans reportedly call for a traditional wedding, singing and dancing just before sunset. On New Year's day there are plans for a walkathon, a floral parade and traditional stage play.

The "Millennium 2000 Society" is the country's official millennium organizing committee. It is currently drawing up plans for celebration in the country's capital of Apia on the island of Upolu. Plans call for a Mardi Gras, cultural shows, street parties, fireworks and a New Year's Eve ball.

According an AAP report, the Sail's restaurant in Apia is calling itself, "The Last Restaurant in the World to Close This Millennium". It's hosting a 12 hour dinner from sunset to dawn on December 31 for $250(US) per person.

Source: AAP

DATE: 07/20/99

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