Different Christmas trips: 2st Advent is written by The editorial staff RejsRejsRejs
Christmas Carols
Christmas is also Christmas, even if it is kept away from the cold and other. In this series of Advent stories, we take you on a different Christmas journey.
Enjoy.
Advent: Christmas on the Spanish terrace
Christmas in Spain – with surprises
Christmas Eve on the terrace in 20 degree heat? Yes, why not?
A few years ago, my mother, sister and I flew over Gran Canaria i Spain. We all shared the same opinion that this was a more liberating way to celebrate Christmas than having to embark on the big Christmas race at home.
We had lost a family member the year before, so a different and less stressful Christmas was clearly what was needed in the family.
No stress from mother in the kitchen, no imposed Christmas traditions, just us, for Christmas and Christmas spirit in the heat.
A few festive Christmas experiences
On the way out one evening we came past a small cozy area with restaurants, small shops and bars. We sat down at a restaurant where it quietly dawned on us that the evening's entertainment was one Drag Show.
It was an incredibly entertaining and different evening and I have good picture of my sister and I along with a lot Dragon Queens.
I think my mother also changed her slightly conservative attitude in this area!
The next day we decided to go for a long walk on the beach.
We soon found out that our little stroll had ended at the nudist beach, so it was also festive, just in a slightly different way...
Christmas Eve without traditions
We celebrated Christmas Eve with a quiet dinner at the hotel, as far away from all the Danish Christmas traditions as possible. Exactly as we had wanted.
The only small Christmas spirit tradition we took with us to the south was a small Christmas present for each. My sister got something as simple as a sweater – a sweater she even managed to lose before we flew back to Denmark.
The beauty of this trip was that we agreed to travel more together. Just us three ladies.
We have since visited boats Budapest og Dubrovnik, and our next considerations are on either Tallin or Krakow. As there is great variation in the age group, it is important to us that it is not too far away.
Happy 2nd Sunday in Advent, no matter where in the world you hold it.
Read about John's Christmas in Vietnam below the picture
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1. Advent: Christmas on a prison lake
I love Christmas, but I must admit I love warmth at least as much. That's why my boyfriend and I decided last year to spend Christmas abroad - and preferably a place that could be combined with beach and experiences.
We had several places up to turn; at least 25 degrees and sun was a must though. We stumbled upon Con Dao, which is a relatively pristine archipelago in the south Vietnam . The main island Con Son is an old prison island and therefore offers both good weather, exciting history and unspoilt beaches. We packed the Santa hats a few days before Christmas and left.
The road to Christmas spirit and palm trees
From Ho Chi Minh City to Con Son it took 1 hour by plane. From airport to hotel we drove only 15 minutes before arriving at something reminiscent of paradise.
Six Senses is one of the nicest hotels and places I have ever seen. With private pool and views of the beach from the room it could hardly be better. Despite the 30 degrees and palm trees, it was easy to get in the Christmas spirit as the whole hotel was decorated for Christmas.
From prison island to holiday paradise with a Christmas atmosphere
Con Dao, however, has more to offer than beautiful scenery and white beaches. The island is known for its bloody past and served as a prison until 1975.
When visiting the prison, one must be prepared for an exciting but gruesome experience. It's not hard to imagine how horrible the prison has been. As the picture shows, figures have been erected depicting the prisoners' lives as they were.
After the jail visit, we took our rented scooter and drove to the Van Son Pagoda. An impressive temple on a hilltop with beautiful views, wild monkeys and local Vietnamese who come here to pray.
Then the Christmas bottles were lit.
Finally it was the 24th of December. We were prepared for the menu to be Vietnamese spring rolls instead of roast pork. But to our great surprise, the hotel had prepared a Christmas buffet for all the guests, which both offered brown gravy, potatoes and duck.
The atmosphere was good, the Christmas tree was lit, it oozed Christmas spirit and despite the unfamiliar surroundings we still felt at home for Christmas.
