mmg.com.au

The Mayan long count calendar, which has lasted for more than 5000 years, will stop today, in line with the December solstice.

Depending on what interpretations of the calendar’s predictions you subscribe to, the day heralds the start of a new era — perhaps a new astrological age ushered in by some unknown, cosmic force, or, if we’re really unlucky, an apocalyptic catastrophy.

Across the world, doomsdayers are preparing themselves in myriad bizarre ways.

‘Aliens in their spaceships’ are set to save those fortunate enough to have fled to the tiny French town of Bugarach.

About 150 police officers have blocked access to the town, which is located 60km from the Spanish border, and the mayor has pleaded to others not to come.

Believers say the town’s mountain is one of the few to be spared in the apocalypse, with suggestions that aliens in spaceships will emerge from within the mountain and save the humans.

In Turkey, the village of Sirince and its 600 inhabitants are set to host 60,000 visitors due to its ‘positive energy’ because some Christians believe it is close to where the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven.

More than 100 people have been arrested in China for spreading rumours about the world’s impending doom, while many families in America have installed asteroid-proof bunkers.

While the Riverine Herald remains fairly certain impending doom is highly unlikely, we’ve put together a convenient doomsday bucket list of things you might like to do in Echuca-Moama today in case the Earth gets snuffed:

■Over-indulge yourself at breakfast, or at any other time of the day, with some of our locally produced chocolate or cheese, or relax with an ice-cream or coffee.

■Take a paddlesteamer ride and check out the wharf from the river.

■Have a tipple or two of wine at one, or more, of Echuca-Moama’s wineries.

■Reflect on past nights out at the Great Aussie Beer Shed.

■Hang a line in the Murray River and attempt to catch a giant Murray cod. While you’re waiting, have a swim and a ski.

■If you had no luck catching a fish for lunch, try one of Echuca-Moama’s many outstanding restaurants or cafes instead.

■Go for a horse and carriage ride in the port area and be in the carriage slowing down traffic instead of sitting in a car behind it, for a change.

■Rediscover your inner child and have a play at Moama Playpark.

■Shoot your mates, or your boss, in a quick game of paintball at Semoz Paintball in Moama.

■Treat yourself to a last supper with an appropriately titled ‘Parmageddon’ parmigiana for dinner at Echuca’s Shamrock Hotel, at a cost of $101.

■Don’t forget to finish the day by updating Facebook or Twitter to say goodbye.