Christmas Down Under

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It's true what they say. Aussies really do go the beach on Christmas day. We could get used to Christmas like this.
We were fortunate to be spending the Christmas holiday in Moonee Beach, near Coffs Harbour, with Chris's sisters in-laws (the hosts with the most!) Jim and Pauline.
What a fantastic spot and what fantastic hosts.
As happens with many people on Christmas eve we had to make that last mad rush to the mall for the last minute gift shopping. And to have Phia's (Chris's neice) picture taken with Santa Claus in her new christmas dress. In Australia, shopping mall santas are housed in sand castles.

Once the shopping was completed we headed back home to prepare for a delicious feast. We had our Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve. Served outside on the patio, of course!
Shrimp (coconut and plain), ham, turkey (only because Canadians where involved), veggeis, pavlova, ice cream and so much more! 12 people in all.

We're up fairly early on Christmas morning. Breakfast outside in our shorts and then off to open presents.
With that out of the way we head to the beach and the place is busy! And the campground next to the beach is packed. Apparently the xmas season is a popular time to go camping. At the beach we go for a swim, Phia does some surfing and catches some rays (with SPF 30 sunblock applied liberally).

Boxing day takes us out on some more sight seeing in the area. Of course, no trip to Coffs would be complete without a stop at The Big Banana. Did you know that Australia has over 150 of these 'big things' and that that The Big Banana is considered to be the very first one? There are lots of bananas growing in this part of the country. I guess that's why Coffs big thing is a banana.

The other thing that was exciting for us on this part of the trip were the kangaroos. They were everywhere. Not an uncommon sight to see a field full of them grazing on the side of the road.

Xmas down under gets 5 out of 5 stars.

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Photos

Christmas Tree
This is vaguely familiar.

Shopping Mall Santa
The Aussie Santa has a sand castle at the mall instead of a workshop

Phia in her xmas dress
All dressed up and ready to impress Santa. Being this good looking will surely lure the old guy in to giving her everything she asks for.

Setting up for Christmas Eve Dinner
Eating outside on the patio on December 24th? We could get used to this

Christmas Desserts
Christmas pudding, ice cream and pavlova

Christmas morning breakfast
On the patio, in our shorts...every Christmas morning should be like this.
Andra, Chris, Jim, Jon, Bev, Pauline and Alix.

Mountain of Presents
Chris's niece, Phia, inspects this pile of wonder. Her first xmas...we're setting quite a precedent :-)

Andra and Chris
On the beach at Moonee Beach Christmas Day

A Moonee Beach Xmas
The gang enjoying Christmas day on the beach.
Alix, Bev, Phia, Chris, Jim, Andra, Jon and the dogs, Bridget and Bella

Phia Surfing
Little Phia is on her way to becoming a real wahine as mom and dad help her get her surfing legs

Surfer Girl
A real wahine.

Encounters with a big green bug
This big green bug seemed to fall from the sky. Landed on Jon first but was then handed to Chris.

Boxing Day Outing
Some radom beach on the way to Coff's Harbour.
Alix, Jon, Bev, Chris and Andra.

Chris and Andra
On Mutton Bird Island Boxing Day.

The BIG BANANA!!!
Coffs Harbour's famous landmark.
Alix, Chris, Bev, Phia, Jon, Jim and Andra.

Kangaroos
Kangaroos grazing in a feild on Boxing Day