Visiting Valparaiso during Christmas time 2022. We are used to cold weather but seeing all the unusual decorations and trees in 90 degree weather was a first for us. Seeing fishmongers in the open market cleaning strange looking fish wearing Santa hats was unusual
When my father lived in Daytona Beach FL we spent a Christmas there. My dad played Santa Claus for a family party. We made sand castles and walked on the beach Christmas day. Very memorable since my Dad passed away the next summer.
Christmas holidays in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei - woke up at dawn o'clock when the TV switched on with call to prayer. At that time, there was no tourism in the city. We were so bored and heard Michael Jackson was at the Palace to do a private concert for the Sultan. We decided to walk to the Palace and ask if we could say hello to Michael Jackson or the Sultan. The guards were very firm in their "no" response which we expected. Under their watchful eyes, we took a few photos and wandered off. Still.one of our favorite Christmas memories.
In 2017 on the day after Christmas, my husband and I flew to St Petersburg, Russia to board a private train heading north to Norway. We crossed the Arctic circle on New Year’s Eve and had a grand celebration on the train. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the train staff had contacted the small town of Kondopoga to get permission to stop so the passengers could get off the train at midnight for a small toast to the new year. They received word back that they would be delighted to have us and that the town would show up to celebrate with us. And celebrate we did! The Mayor welcomed us and there was Music, dancing and townspeople in their native costumes. Church bells counting at midnight, champagne, vodka and sparklers. Later we were invited to go behind the railway station where even more magic was to take place. A fire show and a fantastic fireworks display. A multinational group of people came to together to celebrate. Needless to say that was a highlight even though the rest of our journey included Ice fishing, dog sledding across frozen fiords, northern lights and at the end of our trip dancing at the Christmas market in Red Square.
We spent New Year’s Eve in Santa Nella, CA between the Pilot Truck story and the Hotel Mission de Oro on our way through Gilroy to San Francisco. Just a few locals and band playing. Was simple and nice, but eerily quiet.
Ushuaia. Rented a small cabin, bought the Christmas fixings at the local Anonima grocery store. No turkey as we didn’t have an oven. The 4 of us exchanged small Christmas presents that we would be able to pack on our motorcycles. It was a nice rest after 4 months on the road from North America. Left the bikes there for a bit as we sailed off to Antarctica for 10 days on a small ship. 100 passengers.
Port d‘Andratx in Mallorca for Thanksgiving (backpacking for a year), where we preparing outdoor paella for 12, and I crushed my finger gathering logs for the fire.
Valpo is one of my favorite all-time cities (my daughter in law is from Vina Del Mar, close to Valparaiso). It's so reminiscent of San Francisco in many ways--artsy, foodie and laid back ("We are not hippies, we are happies"). I loved riding the funicular and walking up and down the curvy streets. So glad you discovered it!
When I was about 25, I flew in a helicopter to an offshore platform in the middle of the North Sea to spend a couple of weeks over the Christmas holiday. Granted it wasn't a vacation, but for work. My most vivid memory was the buffet spread in the commissary: a pig’s head with “God Jul” written in icing down its snout.
Visiting Valparaiso during Christmas time 2022. We are used to cold weather but seeing all the unusual decorations and trees in 90 degree weather was a first for us. Seeing fishmongers in the open market cleaning strange looking fish wearing Santa hats was unusual
Great job, Aren!
Do not forget Pablo Neruda’s house
When my father lived in Daytona Beach FL we spent a Christmas there. My dad played Santa Claus for a family party. We made sand castles and walked on the beach Christmas day. Very memorable since my Dad passed away the next summer.
Christmas holidays in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei - woke up at dawn o'clock when the TV switched on with call to prayer. At that time, there was no tourism in the city. We were so bored and heard Michael Jackson was at the Palace to do a private concert for the Sultan. We decided to walk to the Palace and ask if we could say hello to Michael Jackson or the Sultan. The guards were very firm in their "no" response which we expected. Under their watchful eyes, we took a few photos and wandered off. Still.one of our favorite Christmas memories.
In 2017 on the day after Christmas, my husband and I flew to St Petersburg, Russia to board a private train heading north to Norway. We crossed the Arctic circle on New Year’s Eve and had a grand celebration on the train. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the train staff had contacted the small town of Kondopoga to get permission to stop so the passengers could get off the train at midnight for a small toast to the new year. They received word back that they would be delighted to have us and that the town would show up to celebrate with us. And celebrate we did! The Mayor welcomed us and there was Music, dancing and townspeople in their native costumes. Church bells counting at midnight, champagne, vodka and sparklers. Later we were invited to go behind the railway station where even more magic was to take place. A fire show and a fantastic fireworks display. A multinational group of people came to together to celebrate. Needless to say that was a highlight even though the rest of our journey included Ice fishing, dog sledding across frozen fiords, northern lights and at the end of our trip dancing at the Christmas market in Red Square.
We spent New Year’s Eve in Santa Nella, CA between the Pilot Truck story and the Hotel Mission de Oro on our way through Gilroy to San Francisco. Just a few locals and band playing. Was simple and nice, but eerily quiet.
We drove through Valpo a few years ago on the way to a cruise ship. Looked interesting and very busy.
Ushuaia. Rented a small cabin, bought the Christmas fixings at the local Anonima grocery store. No turkey as we didn’t have an oven. The 4 of us exchanged small Christmas presents that we would be able to pack on our motorcycles. It was a nice rest after 4 months on the road from North America. Left the bikes there for a bit as we sailed off to Antarctica for 10 days on a small ship. 100 passengers.
Copenhagen. Nothing strange or exotic about it, but lovely!
Safe and peaceful holidays to all of you!
I loved Santiago. It was October, early spring, and great weather. Santiago is strikingly more modern than Buenos Aires.
Hey
Take a nice Holiday break
Port d‘Andratx in Mallorca for Thanksgiving (backpacking for a year), where we preparing outdoor paella for 12, and I crushed my finger gathering logs for the fire.
Valpo is one of my favorite all-time cities (my daughter in law is from Vina Del Mar, close to Valparaiso). It's so reminiscent of San Francisco in many ways--artsy, foodie and laid back ("We are not hippies, we are happies"). I loved riding the funicular and walking up and down the curvy streets. So glad you discovered it!
When I was about 25, I flew in a helicopter to an offshore platform in the middle of the North Sea to spend a couple of weeks over the Christmas holiday. Granted it wasn't a vacation, but for work. My most vivid memory was the buffet spread in the commissary: a pig’s head with “God Jul” written in icing down its snout.
We just spent pre holiday trip to
Kompong Phluk Floating Village in
Prasat Bakong Cambodia. Very unusual village on tall stilts to protect them during rainy season. Only way in is by boat.