No, you're not a freak and you're certainly not alone -- there are plenty of folks out there who would rather not go the conventional route by splurging thousands on one night of eating, drinking and gyrating to loud music amongst strangers.

Who says it's not New Year's Eve if it doesn't involve a big fat party?

There are plenty of fun options to explore if you'd only widen your horizons a little and are not that keen on keeping up with the Joneses ("What, you guys aren't coming to the celebration at Hilton Towers? Why not, everyone is going to be there and it'll be a blast!").

So we've compiled a list of fun things you can do this December 31 if you want to avoid the maddening crowds and bumper-to-bumper traffic. You may wind up having more fun than at the most happening party in town!

Plan an adventurous getaway
If you're a trooper at heart, you may enjoy communion with nature on New Year's Eve. Popping a bottle of champagne at midnight on the side of a misty mountain is something that appeals to outdoorsy folks.

In fact, you'd be surprised at just how many people from crowded metros head for the hills to celebrate the birth of the New Year. Large groups of hikers trek up popular mountainous destinations, wildlife enthusiasts head to animal reserves and others head out to exotic islands to indulge in water sports and adventure. In fact, you can book yourself and your friends into such a programme months in advance, if you wish to.

Says 29-year-old Pune resident Jatin Daswani*, "On New Year's Eve of 2005, my whole gang of pals and I headed up Bhimashankar Mountain, on the outskirts of Karjat in Maharashtra.

We set up camp by 10 pm and had dinner -- simple fare, but we were more taken by the beauty of the surrounding hills silhouetted against the moonlight. We then sat around the campfire and a friend played the guitar, while we sang.

At midnight, we had a round of drinks and cheered the New Year in. It was a truly memorable night and I'd love to do it again sometime, except that too many folks head up there nowadays -- the tranquillity is lost, so we'll have to find a more remote area!"