SAINT AMBROSE, Marisol Islands (CNM) -- Tour operators have sold thousands of "first light" packages to the South Pacific, where several island nations are competing to welcome the year 2000 before anyone else on Earth.
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| Dawn over Saint Ambrose, Marisol Islands |
The Marisol Islands, which moved the international date line this week, say their sunrise will come first. The Kingdom of Tavai disputes that, as do two smaller atolls whose combined population is 340.
"Our clients do not care about the argument," said tour operator Gwen Ashby. "They want a beach, a sunrise and a certificate. We are printing certificates for every island, just to be safe."
Hotels across the region are booked solid, and some visitors will sleep on cruise ships anchored offshore. One operator is offering a seaplane package that visits three of the contested islands before dawn.
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