CHRISTMAS AHOY!

Summarizing Christmas, it is some tradition, a lot of food and socializing, some sports, some presents but without overdoing, and a fair amount of fun and celebrations to connect it all. Christmas has become a multi-cultural phenomenon around the world, celebrated by many and excluding few.

 …..Here are a few magical places to celebrate this festival.

DID YOU KNOW? - SANTA’S REAL NAME IS “JOULUPUKKI” AND IN FINNISH AND MEANS “YULE GOAT”.

 

SUMMER CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA

In Australia Christmas happens in the middle of summer. Some of the traditions and customs are similar, but the weather and a very different climate make for a uniquely Australian experience. It is amusing to see that people put out decorations with northern hemisphere snowy Christmas themes included. However Santa wears a summer suit (could be a swim suit too) and his sleigh is pulled by Kangaroos. Plants that bloom at Christmas in OZ cannot be found elsewhere. The fact that they have red and white flowers, with one even shaped like tiny bells, makes for a perfect X-Mas Decoration. A traditional Xmas dinner can end up feeling very heavy in hot summer weather, (and I write from experience) Hence options are a more sensible meal of a buffet with seafood or cold ham, turkey and salads. One unique and excellent Aussie dessert is Pavlova, which is wonderful with strawberries, passion fruit and whipped cream.

DO NOT MISS-The concerts in the churches and at the market itself.
HOT PICK- SYDNEY, MELBOURNE



Santa at Rovaniemi

WHITE CHRISTMAS IN FINLAND

Rovaniemi, in the north of Finland, and the capital of Lapland is Santa Claus’s Home and if you are here this Christmas, you might just come across the real Santa! The celebration of Christmas starts early in Finland, with Christmas markets, festive lights in the streets, “Pikka Joulu” (Little Christmas) parties, and special goodies including the traditional “Glogi”, a spicy hot mulled wine. Santa Claus is alive and well and living in Finnish Lapland where workshops are staffed by elves, and where sleds and sleighs hauled by reindeer form the local transport. Well, if you want a White Christmas you’ll most certainly get it and this will be an absolutely fantastic trip 

DO NOT MISS- A Reindeer or Husky Ride.
HOT PICK- LAPLAND



On Orchard Road

SHOPPING SANTA IN SINGAPORE

Orchard road is lighted up with impressive and colourful Christmas lighting display! All malls look like Christmas presents. Interestingly Tanglin Mall does an amazing snow display, which is a large blow-up Christmas display and a machine spouting “snow”. Locals and tourists love to drench themselves in it.Colourful Christmas floats make their rounds every night. So be on the lookout! There are loads of free performances by churches at various locations on Orchard Road like Carols, Pantomimes, Dramas and dance.

DO NOT MISS- Great Deals on Orchard Road
HOT PICK- SINGAPORE’S EXCITING NIGHT SAFARI

FANTASEA IN THAILAND

Bangkok's city centre is all lit up with Christmas displays and decorations everywhere and there are more tourists than locals who come here particularly for the shopping as Bangkok is absolutely full of shopping malls.  You can count 14 on just one street. The local Vegas-styled show, Fantasea in Phuket hosts a special event for Christmas Eve. The ticket includes an entry into the beautifully decorated, marine-themed park as well as a fantastic buffet dinner with many international and local treats, including turkey! And of course an entry into the show. The Fantasea show is an excellent performance by dancers in very bling costumes and showcases the history of Thailand. The show uses interesting special effects including lasers and water, magical acts, trapeze artistry, and even elephants of all sizes performing to music. The show is a wonderful treat on Christmas Eve.

DO NOT MISS- Shopping in Bangkok, A spa treatment at The Banyan Tree and Fantasea in Phuket.
HOT PICK- BANGKOK, PHUKET
 

DOUBLE YOUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN MALAYSIA.

Malaysia has its unique style of celebrating Christmas. To add more fun and enjoyment to the festival celebration, on offer is Malaysia Savings Sale or popularly known as MSS – the much anticipated shopping event of Malaysia. During the Sale period, tourists to Malaysia enjoy privileges and promotions at the malls in and around the Klang Valley. All they need to do is pick up a Tourist Welcome Pack from the airport and the Tourist Information Counters in the city which contains a booklet and details on the various tourist privilege cards, how and where to get them and what kind of bargains await them. Hoping to capture the spirit of the year-end festivities, in action are various music bands to play and entertain shoppers at the Christmas Band Competition i.e. a in and around the Klang Valley.

DO NOT MISS- Look out for the bar code style logo for to shop and save.
HOT PICK- KUALA LUMPUR

CHRISTMAR MARKET IN HOLLAND

Winters in Holland are a thrilling time. Holland sparkles with festive lights during the winter. The Christmas Market Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave) in Valkenburg, in southern Netherlands, comes alive In November until Christmas. The spectacular marlstone cave with its magical atmosphere is doubtless the most famous Christmas market location in the Netherlands. A walking tour of the market will lead you through the romantically lit up Christmas Cave with an 18th century chapel, impressive mural carvings and sculptures.

DO NOT MISS- Putting on your boots, warm jackets and go skating on the frozen lakes and waterways.
HOT PICK- VALKENBURG

 

published in HT city