Christmas in Australia 2014

After The long flight and 4 movies later we arrive in Australia! Allan's son David picks us up and we head off on the straight and smooth roads! (nice change from the St. John roads) In between Brisbane and the Sunshine coast lies Bellmere where Allan's 5 kids live. On the 45 minute ride we pass several similarities to America including a Costco, KFC, and McDonalds. Am I in Australia? Well, they drive on the left and the steering wheel is also on the left! Something I keep forgetting.

The police car's look a bit different then ours back home as well.  I also notice immediately that we are now in the metric system and I must adjust the mileage, temperature and measurements. We get to Ken and Meg's where we will spend Christmas week and It feels like a combination of Vermont and St. John.

Setting up swing set

We are in the country with a field of cows out back, mountains in the distance, yet it is tropical with banana, lemon and lime trees in the garden! Christmas here will be festive with 2 kids Kale and Chase, ages 2 and 4. Amped up with Santa on the way, the kids are super excited and very cute. Kale gets a call from Santa as well as an email video complete with his name and the toys he asked for. Wow, Have times changed. Some things that don't change are the preparations on Xmas eve. After putting some cookies and milk and reindeer food out on the ground, the kids were tucked in bed. All of the adults got busy with the assemblage of a swing set, sand box and cars. Had to have some of the local beers of course! So by 1:30 am we finished, and I am amazed I am still awake after leaving at 12 am on the 22nd and its now the 25th!Christmas morning was busy with the tearing open of gifts and ews and awes. I was blessed with several generous gifts from Allan and his family welcoming me to Australia.   

Allan and I borrowed a car and snuck off to the beach for a swim. On the way Allan show's me a few of the places he has lived in the past. Mostly one level brick houses here in Australia, with nicely landscaped yards. The towns we pass remind me a bit of the 70's for some reason, simplistic in design.

Kings beach is a well thought out nicely designed area for the whole family. It was surprised to see how crowded it was. The waves were fun for some body surfing and the sand fine and clean. Good sand sculpting material, should have brought my tools! The sun in Australia is strong, as I soon found. Even with 60 sunblock, I managed to get a good burn. I think the temperature was 88 degrees, and the water was not as cold as I was expecting. Funny to be in the Caribbean Sea one day and the next in the Pacific Ocean.

Christmas Beetle

Prawns

Back at the house, Allan's family began to arrive, 5 kids with their spouses, girlfriends and kids and then Allan's brother Scott and his spouse Kim. My family Christmas meals in the past were a bit formal with a sit down Thanksgiving kind of meal complete with a grace. Here we ate delicious salads, ham and prawns around the table outside on the porch in bare feet and shorts! Lots of chocolate treats followed.

We sat around the table and talked of the snakes and spiders as Christmas beetles buzzed us.

I had to sneak off to crash as I believe the lack of sleep caught up with me. In the morning I was awake to the sounds of the birds. It's so peaceful and beautiful here, that is until the kids wake up! I must go play now, Kale has been counting the minutes.