Christmas Time

Christmas morning and we woke up in the comfiest, cosiest bed since leaving home. Sunlight was already pouring through the window giving everything a summery glow but we snuggled under the covers a little longer, thoroughly enjoying the luxury after nights in the tent or back of the car. Buying and carrying gifts out here was not an option, so rather than opening presents we opened the curtains of our luxury pad to gorgeous views across Lake Rotarua and the surrounding countryside. We were soon tucking into our breakfast of choice on this festive day- Coco Pops!

Just as we finished washing it down with a cup of tea there was a knock at the door- the family had given us their phone number so our family could call on the day. It was for me- my favourite present so far! For the next hour I chatted with Mum, Dad, Tara and just started to talk to Bryony when I had to take the phone back- ttheywee also expecting calls from the UK. It was weird that everyone back home was still anxiously waiting to go to bed and for Father Christmas to come!

After hanging up I started to well up- Christmas is so special with my siblings and we have traditions that I had bvowedto hold true until I was forced to make Christmas special for the next generation. Still, I had the one member of my up and coming family with me and a comforting hug and wipe of the cheeks soon ssorted thingsout. Besides, I had a roast dinner to prepare in a tiny worktop oven and on a portable two ring stove- it was time to sort ttheveggies!

Soon it was Blakey´s turn to speak to his mum whilst I enjoyed having a lkitchenat my disposal. It was comforting and homely peeling potatoes and shelling garden peas. What made it even more so were the opening notes of "The Hills are Alive..." when Blakey turned the TV on to find The Sound of Music had just started. Perfect. Swigging wine as I prepared the feast I sang along and showed Blakey my intimate knowledge of the film with dance moves and all. We kept it on through lunch (which, even if I do say so myself, was pretty good!) and then moved with the freshly popped bottle of bubbles to see the Von Trapps take their stand against the Nazis. By the end we had a glass of Baileys on the go too- we were doing well!

All snuggled up after the film we were romantic drunken fools. As much as we have been missing home at Christmas we realised that this will probably be the only year we ever spend it with just each other and decided to make the most of that. Blakey really is very good at making me feel loved- though the wine and food certainly had put us in a cheery mood! Stuffed, satisfied and pie-eyed we cracked on with the plan. To make the most of the New Zealand scenery we had bought the Lord of the Rings trilogy and were going to get through them!

After the first one our bellies started to find a corner of space for pudding- an essential festive item. The family we were staying with bought a slice of Kiwi Pavlova out to us both- a real New Zealand tradition. That was followed by chocolates and dates- we really were indulgent!

Although we started the second film we paused halfway through as our eyes started to close. If definately felt like Christmas now- heavy stomachs, heavy eyes, heavy heads. We crawled into bed and thanked one another for a truly stand out Christmas day.

Boxing day was almost a complete re-run. After our Coco Pops we chatted to our Mums- it was now Christmas Day back home- followed by a reheated roast dinner and a return to the sofa for more Lord of the Rings. This time Blakey´s wine glass emptied quickly leading to some first class entertainment with all the usual animated facial expressions and catchy songs. Lucky me!

As dark started to fall and the second film came to its dramatic conclusion we started to discss our departure the next day. Christmas here had been so good we did it twice- we weren´t quite ready to leave and the thought of one more night of luxury outweighed the trip to some caves and a night in the car we had planned. We checked availablity and poured another Baileys to accompany our traditional Christmas pudding after finding it free.

Two over-indulged travellers in a huddled heap in the bed. I didn´t know how long we had overslept as I woke to the sound of our door being knocked teh next morning. Re-covering the dribbling boy thoroughly I threw some clothes on and answered the dorr to find my mum had called the house as my cousins wanted to talk to me whilst they enjoyed their Boxing Day celebrations. My slightly inebriated Mum gasped when I found the time- 7.45am- my Dad had a cider with his lunch and got thetime difference wrong-oopss!

Our early morning wake up (in terms of our late night and alcohol consumption at any rate) was needed- it took a few hours to repack our rucksacks with the tent and all and gave us the afternoon free to upload photos of our trip in facebook- an essential link back home.

As evening fell we enjoyed an unusual dinner of left over camping food and curled on the sofa for one last easy night. As we drained the last of the Baileys we watched the funny and appropriate ´Confetti´- a comedy about plannign weddings. By the time we snuggled under the covers we were both getting butterflies in the stomach. The morning would bringh a flight to South America- we were heading back into the unknown again. Nervous and excited we weren´t quite sure if we were ready to give up the creature comforts of New Zealnd again, though the stunning pictures we had put on the internet earlier had certainly inspired us to take in more sights. As w efly over the Pacific Ocean we pass the physical halfway point- we are starting to make our way home!