The Pohutukawa tree. Known as New Zealand Christmas Tree because its large red flowers shower the country in festiveness this time of year.
Christmas time in the southern hemisphere takes a little getting used to, because of the marked lack of... winter.
No biting cold, no ice storms, no snowball fights, and no $250 heating bills. Instead, people wearing floral-print board shorts and santa hats stroll the sidewalks, sometimes barefoot. Trees and plants put on brilliant displays of flowers to spread good cheer. Of course many people mostly see it as "pollen". But no matter, it is Christmas time in our part of the world and that means one big thing:
Well sure there's the Jesus thing. But I'm talking about...
VACATION!
Time off work. Holiday. "Reccie" as people of the British persuasion may deny that they say.
Let's take a moment to guess what Wellington city does for Christmas day?
Nope, no big tree in front of the court house. The Beehive doesn't spiral garland across the parlaiment building. That would be cool. But no. They don't even have an outdoor skating rink. I'm giving my grumpy face right now knowing full well that it's not physically possible to have ice skating in 67 F degree weather.
No christmas lights to speak of, nor ice sculptures, mangers, snowmen, etc. But what they do have, is pretty darn exciting.
I'm talking free.
Public.
Transport.
So we took off Christmas morning, hopped on a bus (any bus), went to the train station, and caught the train up to the end of the line: Parapaumu Beach
View out the train window.
We arrive!
Creatures! >>>>
A lion?
Dog doing a backflip?
Cute little pod critters spreading their wispy arms. Doing a choreographied dance?
Wonder what Santa will bring?
Breaker Bay
Princess Bay
Island Bay
Not sure what this bay is called.
In other news, there was a quick rain yesterday and a gorgeous rainbow manifested itself right outside our door:
