When you essentially live on the equator, a traditional Christmas isn’t quite the same as you might expect living in the north (or far south for that matter). Having spent three Christmas’ in the Philippines, the sight of Christmas lights on palm trees no longer feels ironic. Since Singapore does not embrace the Christmas season quite like it’s Southeast Asian neighbour (I’d say the Philippines could give any country a run for it’s Christmas money), it takes a little more planning and effort to fully immerse in the Christmas spirit. It’s not hard for kids to love Christmas, but giving these two an authentic experience when you find yourself in another part of the world creates a sort of Gordian knot best addressed with a mix of old and new traditions. A beach holiday also works.
The only snow for this family this winter was a Papa only mission on the outskirts of Beijing on December 18
Reading the Night Before Christmas is an imperishable tradition from Mum’s side
Santa in sandals is something that just doesn’t quite feel right, but is an absolute must
Papa is not allowed to touch the gingerbread dough…he eats too much (and has an accomplice who’s pink top does not favour stealthness)
Nothing beats making gingerbread cookies at Christmas…
…except making gingerbread cookies at Christmas with friends
Of course you have to survive until Christmas to reap the full benefit of the experience. With Amira’s school out almost two full weeks ahead of the 25th, it is hard to stay preoccupied enough to avoid moments that might induce coal stuffed stockings. Fortunately, there are such things as Christmas camps and other new experiences to get to the December 24 finish line (although it was literally – Amira’s new favourite word and pronounced litrah-lee – a photo finish). Everett stayed in school until the 23rd.
Christmas camp was a yoga and art camp. Nice.
Amira caught the handstand bug at camp. Now there are two girls around the house always upside down
In search of the best Christmas sites in Singapore (in matching flannel)
The new neighborhood bouldering gym opened just before Christmas and had Everett going for the top
Amira was allowed out in the grownup area
This was clearly not the real Santa (we saw this same impostor last year) so misbehaving here was actually ok.
Not sure if finding toy models that resemble the kids is sustainable as a tradition. It might have been the teeth or the round head, but these two looked like twins
While this is the first year since moving to the tropics that we did not go skating on Christmas Day (we got too busy and enjoyed an amazing day with friends instead), it was the first year since arriving on this side of the Pacific where we were able to experience a blizzard and make snow angels…not once, but twice. Pretty good for +25C.
Blizzard #1 at Tanglin Mall. She’d make a better Joker than a Ms. Claus (she has indicated that marrying Santa is a consideration)
There is an awkwardness and an awesomeness to playing in the “snow” in a tank top
Unprompted and spontaneous snow angel…this girl loves winter
Lights, snow and french fries for blizzard #2 at Gardens by the Bay. Ice cream seemed somehow inappropriate. As did hot chocolate.
Karaoke was definitely appropriate. Not sure how we made three Philippines Christmas’ without it! Papa was fresh of his Philippines Christmas party and started it off with Amira
Everett took a minute to warm up but closed it out in style (you can tell by the microphone grip he’s a natural)
Enjoying the lights at Garden’s by the Bay
Non traditional but still effective Christmas light experience
Not sure why these aren’t out at Easter
It was also a chance to introduce a new Christmas Eve tradition to enjoy together. While we always get to open one present on Christmas Eve, this year it was a gift that will be fun to do for many Christmas Eve’s to come. Plus we got to share it with Tita Cris, who started working with us in November. How did we survive without her!?!
A great addition to our family and to the Christmas celebrations
Starting new traditions are always easier when they involve Lego
The boys were in charge of Santa’s sleigh
The girls got the workshop
The finished product
With all the running around and Christmas happenings, there was barely enough time for presents. Thankfully Santa did make a visit, and brought the one present he leaves in each of the kids sacs each year.
If there is one night to be neat and tidy, this is it
You can tell they are related by the way they pose
Assessing the Christmas haul
Most years in the Philippines we would enjoy the morning and get away from the city later in the afternoon on Christmas Day, but with all the happenings and no time to pack, this year we broke tradition and waited for Boxing Day to escape. We headed to the island of Lombok, Indonesia (the island immediately east of Bali) to explore new territory. We started in the south in the surf area of Kuta but if we did the trip again we would do it in reverse for logistics reasons. After seeing the beach in town, we panicked a little thinking we had made a terrible mistake. Lombok has been “up and coming” for quite a while (uncle Ev was here in 2003!) and while the town itself is filled with amazing cafes and incredible food, the beach is covered in garbage and leaves much to be desired. When we found bunnies at the hotel, we knew luck would be on our side and it all came together the next day when we rented scooters and headed down the coast to Selong Belanak Beach. We followed the same routine three straight days and had a blast (despite donating a pair of glasses and goggles to the ocean gods).
The bunnies at the hotel were a real hit
Now we need a bunny and a dog
Scooters are always the right choice when navigating Southeast Asia
All KFCs get the thumbs down. Note this was not one of the amazing cafes with delicious food
Sand, sun and surf in warm water on Selong Belanak. Not a bad way to celebrate the Christmas season
Getting a surf lesson
The daily migration across the beach was an unexpected tradition (and interesting smell)
Everett Charles and the Corn Man
In between surf sessions
After three straight days we were one big family
This is how we roll. It took Mum a few rides solo before she took the maiden voyage with Everett. The serious faces proved they were ready.
Everett talked the whole way every single ride
The juice shop in Kuta was a must at the end of each day
Amira getting worked by the street vendors. Why get one when you can get two? Sigh.
Everett embracing the local culture
After four days in the south at Kuta, the second stop was at the Gili Islands to the north. Not known for our decisiveness, with three islands to choose from we split the second half of the trip between two Gili Islands. For Mum’s birthday and New Years, the “party island” of Gili Trawangan (Gili T) was a must…even if we were in bed at 9pm each night. Gili T is the largest island and while the east side is lined with hotels and bars, the private pools and secluded spaces at Gili Khumba Villas was the perfect getaway. None of the Gili islands have cars or scooters so the only way to get around was by horse or by bike, which made for a much nicer pace of life.
Mum’s three monkeys
Many of the bars had “sunset swings”. Definitely a lesson in fashion (or Instagram) over function. Without being able to pump their legs, it was a little more of a workout that Papa bargained for
Breakfast IN the pool at our room
Without cars on the Gili’s it’s bikes or horses…and you know what Papa chose
A coconut or two a day is key to a good holiday
The best four year old snorkeler I’ve ever seen was also the only one to find a turtle on the trip. “I have a special surprise…I see a turtle”. And he did!
A perfect end to a great day
Beach bonfires are the best
Shopping for a bargain was a daily theme and there was no shortage of beach vendors to appease Amira
Unexpectedly stuck in the unexpected parade
The last sunset of 2019
A mostly happy ending to 2019
It might have been a small birthday cake, but it was delicious
The last stop on the trip was Gili Air – the smallest and most laid back of the three islands. It certainly lived up to this reputation. With a lot of the same cafes as on Gili T, this stop was like meeting a quieter younger sibling (there is no quieter sibling period in this family). While we got shut out on finding anything exciting snorkeling it was a great last stop before transitioning back to the reality of work and school in Singapore.
Checking out Gili Air
Always in the heart of the action
It’s always great to be in the water
Even the turtle whisperer was shutout in Gili Air, but still had a great time
Christmas as a kid is such a special time. While we do our best to maintain some semblance of traditional traditions, we also embrace opportunities to introduce new traditions. While it’s far from perfect, it seems to be working…for the most part.
Christmas joy
She is going to get her snow angels in one way or another
Merry Christmas!
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