I've only done the May hop. I started with my last name, then went to the shops I knew and those I liked the name of. Then I went to the Not Visited list and went through that, but I skipped around.
I was going to say what QKO said. They need to even out the traffic. And I think it helps to start late. Traffic may be lighter. I have dialup so it makes a difference for me. Haven't started June yet.