New Year 2015 almost here

We are celebrating a family birthday today. It sucks having a 30 December birthday - no one is in town, they have all gone to the beach or on holiday in the sun somewhere. So we made a special day of it and went to Nandos  in Johnsonville, near Wellington for mexican food at lunchtime. The only ones in the restaurant, so we sat in the window and enjoyed the experience.

On holiday for the next two weeks, but will try and post if I can get to wifi.
Happy New Year everyone.

Last call for "Christmas In"... East Timor (Timor-Leste)

fireworks for Independence Day 28 November

This is the last post on Christmas destinations. We've had fun bringing you different, exotic, unusual places to consider. Today we have chosen East Timor. 28th of November is the public celebration for Independence Day - and so we decided to make this our last “Christmas in” destination.




Timor Leste a predominantly Christian (90% Catholic) country, and so Christmas is a very big important event. Even so, I did have trouble finding Christmas images! As I mentioned earlier, the carnivals and other festivals are more flamboyant. So today is more of a history and a remembering of the way the Timorese has survived, and are creating a new better life for themselves. Fortunately, Adaljia has come to my rescue:


"The majority of Timorese are Christian (Catholic) so the celebration is started with mass in all churches. Normally after mass on chrismast eve on 24th Dec we have christmast an eve dinner. Following day the 25th all family and friends gathering together and they will spend in their house with BBQ and party. At that day on 25th most people go outside to celebrate xmas outdoor and most of them going to the beach to enjoy beautiful beaches in town. I will find some good picture and I will send it to you In summary, if someone want to feel the religious celebration on xmas and then come to Timor-Leste. Our xmas celebration is so different from other part of the world."



And she has kindly sent me some other links you my be interested in:
"My friend from Indonesia wrote the story about her experience with my family here in Dili you can read them here : mykepoprojects.com, which has some great stories, including  one about food Food around Dili "

 

Happy Independence Day Adaljiza!


This post is more of a potted history than about all the festivities for Christmas, as I couldn't find many images or much information on this celebration. Independence Day and other festivals are far more visible.





A Prezepiu outside a home



Though still a young and recovering country, East Timor celebrates a number of cultural festivals, including Christian and Islamic celebrations, as well as observances related to the long struggle for independence, finally gained in 2002.








Dili is the Capital, with a population of around 51,000, predonimantly Malay, Polynesian and Papuan descent.







This is especially for my friend Adaljiza – I hope I got it all right Adjiza!

From the 16th century, East Timor was a Portuguese colony known as Portuguese Timor. The rest of the island of Timor, and the other islands that were later to become Indonesia, were colonised by the Dutch between the 17th and 19th centuries, and were known as the Dutch East Indies. Portugal mainly used the Timor as a place to exile those whom the government in Lisbon saw as "problems" - political prisoners as well as ordinary criminals.

In December 1941, Portuguese Timor was occupied by Australian and Dutch forces, which were expecting a Japanese invasion. When the Japanese did occupy Timor, in February 1942, the Allies and Timorese volunteers engaged them in a guerilla campaign. This assistance cost the civilian population dearly: Japanese forces burned many villages and seized food supplies. The Japanese occupation resulted in the deaths of 40,000-70,000 Timorese.







Portuguese Timor was handed back to Portugal after the war, but Portugal continued to neglect the colony. Very little investment was made in infrastructure, education and healthcare. Only a small minority of Timorese were educated, and even fewer went on to university. Mortality was high, especially children. During this time, Indonesia did not express any interest in Portuguese Timor.








However, after the fall of the Portuguese fascist regime in 1974, independence was encouraged by the new, democratic Portuguese government. One of the first acts of the new government in Lisbon was to appoint a new Governor for the colony who also became the last Governor of Portuguese Timor, when the Indonesian government seized control.

Between 1974 and 2000, the Timorese were subjected to some horrific treatment.at the hands of the Indonesians, with more than 20% of the population (around 800,000) losing their lives.












NZ troops and Santa bringing Christmas cheer







Scuba Santa!



Finally, East Timor became formally independent on May 20, 2002. East Timor became a member of the UN on September 27, 2002. New Zealand has played a large part in peacekeeping in East Timor since the 1990's. My nephew was a member of the peace keeping troops.




My friend Adaljiza is part of the government intent on creating a peaceful, educated, employed population. However, all is not calm and bright this Christmas. Australia is now flexing its arm, mostly because of the potential oil availability, I believe. And there's issues over spying...but enough of that.










Dili Cathedral














Dili Rice fields

What about making merry in Morocco?

I wondered if Christmas was actually celebrated in Morocco, so went digging.
I found that Morocco is becoming one of the most sought-after destinations at Christmas and New Year’s time for travelers from cold-weather countries. Its sunny skies, colorful allure, and variety of cultures and landscapes would have to be so tempting to all the northern hemisphere folk shivering under the snow.


On the Go tours has three options, all starting in Marrakesh on the 23rd December. Choose between an 8 day Christmas in Morocco package,  the 10 day  Rock the Kasbah tour, which also gives you New Year or  the 11 day Surf the New Year tour.

Or instead of staying around Marrakesh, Journey Beyond Travel  suggests travelling to one of three extraordinary (and lesser known) regions that will make your trip both memorable and exciting.
The small coastal town of Mirleft with great beaches (looking a lot like our kiwi beaches actually); Ouirgane and Marigha in the mountains (an area scattered with Berber villages and a good starting or stopping point for treks in the Atlas range); or Skoura, an Oasis.



Nomadic presents a visit all of Morocco’s majestic Imperial cities at Christmas time in one fantastic adventure tour. Journey to Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Todra Gorge, the Sahara Desert, and Ait Benhaddou, before finishing the action-packed tour in the bustling Imperial city of Marrakech.
This hotel-based adventure tour uses 3 star hotels and a Berber camp in the desert. Transport is by minivan and 4x4.  All of the options look amazing!
If you stay in Marrakesh, a visit to the night market is a must.

Then visit some of the kasbahs:

 I thought there might not be christmas trees in Morocco, but I found one in a mall:










And there are some fantastic restaurants:

But if you really can't get away, why not bring Morocco to you? Have an untraditional Christmas dinner - starting with mint tea, spiced nuts, bread dipped in dukkah,

Follow with  couscous, beef or chicken tagine, rich pigeon meat pie dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar, or sardines coated with a flavourful combination of coriander, parsley, cumin and a hint of chilli. Fish with Chermoula (a combination of herbs and spices used as a marinade before grilling over coals, and as a dipping sauce).

Perhaps you'd prefer kebabs, calamari and grilled sardines, the more unusual sweet cheek meat of sheep’s heads, snails cooked in a spicy broth that wards off colds, and skewers of lamb’s liver with caul fat, and  Makouda, little deep-fried potato balls, delicious dipped into spicy harissa sauce.

Moroccan meals begin with at least seven cooked vegetable salads to scoop up with bread. They can include green peppers and tomatoes, sweet carrots or courgette purée, and a dish of local olives alongside. Zaalouk is a smoked aubergine dip, seasoned with garlic, paprika, cumin and a little chilli powder.

Then of course  hit the desserts. Turkish delight.  Or Moroccan  oranges. Or coconut truffles. Or moroccan meringue cake. Or all four.

 Here's the Moroccan Oranges recipe from Simply recipes: Slice the top and bottom off 3-4 oranges. Remove rind and ALL pith (else the fruit will be bitter), then cut the orange into 1/4 inch rounds. Measure a quarter cup orange flower water. Sprinkle a little of it in the bottom of a wide-bottomed glass container and layer the orange slices on top, sprinkling more orange flower water over each orange layer as you go. Add any remaining orange flower water, cover the container and set aside at room temperature for 1 hour. To serve, remove orange slices from container and arrange on a plate. Add a little of the remaining liquid. Serve, sprinkling about 1-2 Tbspoons powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon over the fruit.

Or try these Moroccan White Truffles (Adapted from Cooking with Alia ). Mix together 100 grams of sweetened condensed milk and 2/3 cup (fresh if possible) shredded coconut. Let sit for 15 minutes. Roll the mixture into little balls, insert half a macadamia nut in each one and roll in  1/8 cup more shredded coconut. Cool in the refrigerator for 5 or more hours before serving.Yum!

Noel in Novia Scotia

An extremely brief history of Nova Scotia:


In 1621, a  Royal Charter granting the right to settle lands also gave the Canadian province its name (simply, New Scotland), although French colonists established the first permanent European settlement in Canada in Arcadia in 1605. Before that the land was already home to the Mi'kmaq nation. Nova Scotia has a little under 1 million residents; the capital city is Halifax.

Halifax from the air

If you are planning a visit, be sure to check your visa and passport requirements for Canada.
While it does snow, temperatures in winter are from zero degrees Celsius to about 15 degrees Celsius. That’s not too bad – the weather is warmer because the temperature extremes of the continental climate are moderated by the ocean. And as a result, Nova Scotia lies in the mid-temperate zone, where the climate is closer to continental rather than maritime despite the province being almost surrounded by water. New Zealand gets colder!


You can get there via plane, boat, train, bus, car, motorcycle, RV or as a walk-on passenger, and by cruise ship. Halifax and Sydney are the main ports of call for more than 20 major cruise ship lines. The port of Sydney is the cruise gateway to Cape Breton Island. 

There are over 1,000 different places to stay: hotels of all shapes and sizes, luxurious resorts & spas, oceanside cottages, charming bed & breakfasts, antique-filled country inns and campground sites, both backcountry and serviced. Perhaps not camp sites at Christmas! 

Check them all out Here. There are a lot of pretty good packages, too.

This bed and breakfast appealed to me:

Christmas events start early. It’s a time of real community spirit and there are many many events over November and December. I’ve selected a just a few., and most of them well before the 20th (the exception being the Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir).
November 7th – to December 13th, in Kentville, CentreStage Theatre Presents: Farndale Avenue Christmas Carol.
“The ladies of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society mount another assault on the classics with their stage version of A Christmas Carol. They enthusiastically portray a dizzy array of characters from the Dickensian favourite (and a few which aren't), engineer some novel audience participation while bravely contending with an intrusive PA system and a real Farndale first rap their vocal cords and feet around two original, show stopping songs.

November 28th, to December 7th is  the Sherbrooke Village Old Fashioned Christmas, with an opening night tree lighting, candle light procession and fireworks. Over the two weekends there will be Christmas crafts, concerts, festive dining, Victorian tea and more!
This event appeals! November 29 to December 13 is The Chester Gingerbread Festival, a celebration of all things Gingerbread. The Opening ceremony has tree lighting, hot chocolate and cookies and a visit from Santa on a fire truck. 

There’s the Gingerbread Christmas craft market, Gingerbread suppers, Christmas play on stage at the Chester Playhouse, Gingerbread curling bonspiel, Gingerbread house competition, an outdoor Gingerbread man contest to be judged on facebook, a gingerbread man parade, and a family wrap up at the Chester Playhouse with presentation of awards and prizes and a cookie contest. Sounds fun! Being a redhead myself, I wonder if spectators get prizes for being “gingas”?

On 4 December, a 4 day festival at Barrington Passage, South Shore, kicks off the Christmas season and the beginning of the lobster season. Events include the lighting of a giant Lobster Trap Christmas tree, fireworks, Parade of Lights, Christmas House Tours, lighting of Christmas decorations, carolers, craft fairs and much more.

December 5 the Christmas Festival of Trees and Crafts on the Eastern Shore delights, with a wonderland of many beautifully decorated natural balsam fir trees and more than 70 crafters showcasing high quality beautifully made pieces.

Also from the 5th to the 11th December, the Symphony Nova Scotia presents The Nutcracker.

On 7 December, see Tales of A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Halifax Jazz Festival's 11th annual fundraiser for music education featuring local jazz legend Jerry Granelli with HRM's Vivace Children's Choir, conducted by Krista Vincent.

thanks to summerville for this image. A very snowy Christmas!

December 13th, Musique Royale presents The University of King’s College Chapel Choir in “A King’s Christmas”, and on the 20th performs “To Bethlehem with King’s” featuring Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir.

December 14 there’s a Christmas Carol singalong, with local talent.

Here’s a thought: You could nip across to Nova Scotia, experience all the pre-Christmas fun and then zip off to Hong Kong for a couple of days before spending Christmas Eve and day in Santa Fe, finally completing a total Christmas blast by flying into Rio for the huge New Year celebrations! Then spend January recovering…

A Very Merry Time in Montenegro

Montenegro is today's destination for Christmas.

A tiny country with less than 700,000 residents, it follows the Orthodox religion, and the Julian Calendar. So Christmas Eve is 6th January, and Christmas Day the 7th. You could go to New Zealand/Australia for Christmas Eve first up, fly to California on Christmas Morning and arrive before you leave, so you get another Christmas Day - and then, after New Year somewhere, pop over to Podgorica, the Capital City of Montenegro, and have yourself another Christmas! Fun!


I have some friends from Montenegro, living here in New Zealand, but planning on returning to their homeland to retire. It’s a place that has always fascinated me and I’ve loved listening to Melina telling me about it, and showing her photographs of their home, almost on top of a beautiful beach.

I started out looking for Christmas images of Montenegro and found myself falling in love with the architecture, the cobbled streets, the fraught history and the beautiful beaches that epitomise this tiny country. It’s bordered by five other countries, has over 100 beaches, and is around 5000 square miles in size. With more than 200 sunny days each year, it’s not surprising that Montenegro was once a tourist mecca.
I’m going to write a full feature on Montenegro at a later date, because today is just about Christmas. First up, of course, the Montenegrans follow the Julian Calendar, so Advent starts on 28 November. St Nicolas Day is 19th December. From after WWII until just before 2000 (I think) the communist government banned St Nicolas or Santa Claus, so they created another version called Grandfather Frost, or Christmas Brother, who came on New Year’s Eve. Now the custom of St Nicholas has been revived.

Christmas is very focused on family and church, with many traditions. They have a Christmas tree but traditionally the father of the family would go to the forest and cut down a young oak (called the “Badnjak”) and it would be decorated on New Year’s Eve, according to some traditions, or it would be cut on the morning of Christmas Eve, according to others.

Cold work chopping an oak log

These days it's easier to purchase an oak branch from outside the church!

It is brought inside, covered in wheat by the woman of the house, and then burned. Straw is often placed under the table as a symbol of the birth in the stable. 

A special bread, known as 'cesnica' is eaten by each member of the family, all hoping to get the coin that has been hidden in it – a token of good fortune for the coming year. 

On Christmas Eve, families gather. It is the last day of the Advent fast, during which no meat is eaten. In many households, bread and honey is served for breakfast and fish for lunch. There will be a big feast later!

Christmas services are very important, and everyone attends. Logs are brought to the churches, and I note in one church newsletter that: “The Metropolitan blesses and lights a fire of Yule logs in front of the Cetinje monastery. These logs are traditionally brought by the representatives of all tribes and parts from the Littoral, Boka, Old Montenegro, Zeta, Brdo, and Old Herzegovina. According to the old many-centuries custom the first badnjak was brought by the Bajica tribe - the Martinovics and the Borilovics.” The logs “symbolise the wood that was lit on fire in the cave where Jesus was born”.



At the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ at Podgorica the capital city, fireworks are lit and make a display in the night sky. The Cathedral is illuminated as families walk towards the church, carrying branches for the fire.
On Christmas morning, an important guest is the first well-wisher – traditionally male, who comes bearing gifts, to wish the family a merry Christmas and share breakfast with them.

Christmas in... Hong Kong ...

Maybe not this year, unless things settle down, but you could start planning for 2015.
Hong Kong has a Winterfest, from 5 December 2014 to 1 January 2015. Seems funny to be having a winter anything, when the temperatures are hotter than parts on New Zealand in summer! Expect between 16 degrees celsius and 24 degrees celsius over December and January. January is the coolest month of the two.
However, it's a cracker of an event (excuse the pun). The Statue Square Christmas Tree is lit on 5 December (beside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel),

 there are amazing light shows, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong’s Glistening Christmas, Christmas Noah's Ark, Ocean park is all lit up - in fact, the December and New Year power bill for Hong Kong must be gigantic. But the lights, and effects will make for a stunning memorable Christmas, especially for little ones.
There is a super exhibition on now, until March of 2015 - "Treasures from Tsarskoye Selo, Residence of the Russian Monarchs”. more than 200 exquisite sets of exhibits have been loaned by  the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve of Russia, including oil paintings, costumes, porcelain, firearms, artworks, and toys.

The exhibition introduces the history and culture of Russia from the 18th century to the early 20th century. Highlights include the diplomatic gifts presented to the Russian monarchs as well as a richly decorated coronation carriage.

Between the 19th December and the 28th, try and fit in The Nutcracker, perhaps the world's favourite ballet - definitely at Christmas! 

And of course, Disney World Hong Hong is perfectly arranged to entrance everyone.

So pack up the family and give them an amazing time in Hong Kong.