HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

Bored with the usual New Years' Eve party? We decided to find a new way to celebrate by taking an Electric Bike trip up Colonial Knob. And it was fun. Weird weather, but fun. If you look at some of the other New Years Eve traditions around the world, our adventure up the Knob is actually pretty tame in comparison. Check it out...New Years Eve traditions in...

Spain
Eat a grape with every strike of the bell at midnight for prosperity, only then can you say "Happy New Year!".

Finland
Throw molten metal into cold water then predict the future from its shape – a heart or ring means a wedding, a ship signifies travel and a pig means plenty of food.

Croatia
It's ok to have roast pork, wild boar or rabbit stew for dinner on New Year's Day but not lobster or crab as they move backwards (or sideways!) which can lead to setbacks in the coming year.

Italy
Wear red underwear for good luck, throw pots, pans and clothes out of the window to let go of the past and eat lentils for money and good fortune.

Colombia
Walk around the block with an empty suitcase for lots of travel in the New Year and wear yellow underwear for good luck!

Ecuador
Make a large scarecrow-like doll, often in the image of some disliked person or celebrity, and set them on fire at midnight, symbolising riddance of the bad things from the past year.

Brazil
Wear white to ward off bad spirits and in coastal towns give offerings (usually flowers) to Iemanjá, Godess of the Sea, and jump seven waves for good fortune.

Japan
Dress up in the coming years’ zodiac animal, decorate your house with lobsters for longevity and clean the house from top to toe.

South Africa
Throw old furniture or appliances out of the window (police in Johannesburg have cracked down on this due to the number of pedestrian injuries!).

Thailand
Celebrate on 13th-15th April (as this is the start of the New Year in Theravada Buddhism) by throwing water on each other to wash away bad luck.

and now...

Porirua
Take a bike trip up Colonial Knob and try not to get lost in the fog and mistake bushes for people.