Moving on with Santa on to our third in the series of Christmas specials, hand delivered, rather web delivered by Santa, we have a real game changer this time, as promised! Picture Santa wearing red shorts – sitting on a beach chair with his feet up on the cooler, sipping a cold drink! (read beer, wink) Well yes! That’s Christmas too and unlike the Hollywood films, the Southern Hemisphere celebrates it too!
They have their own ways to have fun and laughter and magic added, of course. With the weather being warm here – there is no dearth of activities like camping, barbeque, beach sports and picnics. So come, join Santa as he takes us through some really fun filled Christmas adventures across the Southern Hemisphere.
Read on…
Sitting 250 km from the mainland Australia and separated by the Bass trait, the Island of Tasmania is the absolute must visit. Santa assures you, that you will fall in love with this gorgeous beauty right from the word go. Tassie, as it is nicknamed is like slice of heaven with breathtaking landscapes, white sand beaches, snow-capped mountains and wild rugged coastal cliffs. Christmas was never this adventurous or half as much different than the one you will enjoy exploring Tasmania. The Christmas lunch is a treat too with locally grown fruits and vegetables, wines and meat and fresh produce, it is surely a combination to devour.
Life spring of our planet, the Amazon river is the marvel that keeps our ecosystem alive. Don’t expect to see jaguar at every bend though, instead Santa wants you to soak in the river’s mystic energy, the surprisingly varied plants and animals make the place an experience. The communities that reside alongside the river are friendly and full of legends. You could choose from various jungle tours.
The two gateways to the Brazilian Amazon are Manaus and Belem. Christmas time is a Low-Water season in Amazon and allows you more opportunities to explore on foot as the otherwise flooded trails become accessible. Here’s how you can access the Amazon:
The main hub for entering the Amazon, Manaus, is the largest city in the region and has a breathtaking natural phenomenon called the, Meeting of the Water, where you get to witness the confluence of River Solimoes and River Negro – these two rivers merge here to form what we know as the Amazon. A typical trip to the Amazon includes staying at a lodge in the forest or on a river boat; daily activities include – hiking, canoeing, animal spotting, Flora and fauna, tree climbing and fishing.
Although the jungle trip is the main part of your stay there are some delightful cultural and historical outlets and Santa recommends the trip to the local food market as well. The amount and the sheer size of the vegetables and fruits and fish you see here are unbelievable. Another way to get into the Amazon is through the Peruvian Amazonia. Here’s how, suggests Santa.
There is a lot to Peru, however, if immersing in deep jungle and breathing in directly through the lungs of the world is your kind of Christmas holiday – head for Iquitos, Peru and get entrenched into the forest of Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Regional Conservation area. Free of malaria and Zika, this is home to some of the wildest animals in the world. If you get lucky you could spot sloths plus go swimming with the pink dolphins. Santa recommends the Amazon jungle as a one of its kind experience – the jungle is remote and raw, it’s like a live vast creature itself – there is a connection that you feel to you surrounding like never before and what more the fresh smell of the morning forest stays with you – like forever!
Santa loves the lush greens national parks and internationally famous vineyards around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in South Africa and is asking us to give it a try this Christmas – you won’t regret the decision for sure. It’s a destination on a superior league, with seven world heritage sites, the flora and fauna that is uniquely its own and a massive dose of thrilling adventures and activities all packed into one.
You could start at Johannesburg, take on the Gold Reef City amusement park before visiting the Kruger National Park. It does promise to place you in the Big 5 zone. (refers to the top-notch natural habitat of the African jungles with Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos and Buffaloes). Cape Town is up next- its replete with an active nightlife and generously spread out plazas. But the one thing that stands out is the iconic and absolutely glorious Table Mountain, which can be done via the cable cars amidst scenic views. Another once in a lifetime experience is African Penguins that you would be able to spot when you visit the Robben Island. South Africa is full of best of the very best.
The Bay of Islands is a subtropical northland micro region that boasts stunning natural beauty and history. If you love the water sports, beaches and water activities you are in for a treat. Easy to reach from Auckland, this paradise it yours to claim this Christmas, says Santa. It is here that the Maori explorer Kupe arrived on his wooden waka (Sea canoe). The rest, as we know, is history. You would be able to take a ride to the twin coast with calm serenity at one side and rustic beauty on the other quite paradoxically balancing each other.
With over 144 small islands there is no dearth of activities, shopping, culture, cuisine and more. You would experience the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russle and Kerikeri as you travel between Cape Brett and Purerua peninsula. Enjoy the beauty of the splendor as you take day cruises or hire a yacht or a sea kayak – you would be spoilt for choice. Go live it, says Santa.
‘Well it sure isn’t cold – we have no snow,
Because it’s summer – hey, don’t you know!
We have barbies (or barbecues to you),
and we wear jandals – or thongs will do!
We go swimming, windsurfing and rollerblading.
Summertime is definitely exhilarating!’
So – what are you waiting for? We at Make Holidays Easy, are waiting to hear from you. We would like to help you go on this big one with your friends and family. Call us today!
