The festive season

I’m dreamin’ tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it’s a long road back
I promise you

I’ll be home for Christmas…

For once this is true. I’ll be in my homeland of New Zealand at least, where exactly I’m not entirely sure, but it will hopefully be with family, which matters most this year.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, sun is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We’re happy tonight.
Walking in a summer wonderland.

I’ve had 5 out of 6 of the last Christmas’s away from New Zealand, but they haven’t all been ‘Winter Wonderlands’ in the UK…

Christmas 2014: Argentina’s Lake District

This was the scene of last year’s Christmas, travelling solo around South America. I found a penthouse hostel that did a Christmas Eve dinner where everyone cooked a dish and you got to know plenty of other travellers. It was pretty scenic, somewhere between sunshine with cold air and a pretty nice spot to relax.

Christmas 2013: Lake District of the UK

Back in 2014 I was pleased to celebrate Christmas with my visiting Aunt and a few other fellow Kiwi’s as I created my first ever Christmas meal that I hosted. Soon after, my Aunt and I headed off to the Lake District to check out what the UK had to offer and I got to revisit my much loved Scotland!

It was a bit of a wet one, but still lovely to have a bit of family around me to travel with!

Christmas 2012: Visiting New Zealand

This was my much needed taste of home. Sunshine, beaches, family and friends.

Christmas 2011: Visiting Egypt

Yes I managed to visit Egypt between it’s bad/dangerous periods. It was soon after my first trip to East Africa so I’d organise my first ever resort stay. I did day trips and saw some really unique incredible parts of the country. Sadly being in a resort alone at Christmas was a bit lonely though!

Christmas 2010: Think it was my first UK one… sadly minus the snow.

I’ve definitely had some great Christmases and some I used to try to forget it was Christmas by travelling. It’s a time of year I’ve really struggled with in the past, being an expat I could never shake the lonely feeling. This year has already had it’s fair share of stresses – even outside of Christmas, then comes the joy of trying to organise get togethers around everyone’s schedules. It can be tricky, but I’m hoping it will all be worthwhile in the end. All I want for Christmas is quality time with my family and friends in my homeland.

Warm wishes from (hopefully) sunny New Zealand to all my friends around the world.

I miss you all and you’ll be in my thoughts.