Christmas Around
the World
DUBAI, UAE
OUR expat adventure started in Dubai, where we saw Santa riding a camel on the beach.
Boxes of Ferrero Rocher appear under the Christmas tree each year in lots of countries. This slightly wonky model of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, was displayed in one of the city’s many malls in 2012.
In 2010, we saw Santa again, this time making a swift exit after a guest appearance at the World Trade Centre Apartments.
Two years before that, Colin seemed to be feeling the cold despite the Dubai heat. He’s wearing a hat from the Ski Dubai indoor snow slope.
In 2012, it was a table for two on the balcony for turkey with all the trimmings.
VIETNAM
In 2016, we had a classic Christmas beach holiday on the island of Phu Quoc. We’d spent Christmas eve on a stopover in Hanoi, and were thrilled by the energy and excitement on the streets there. It seemed as if everyone who lived in the capital was out having fun.
HONG KONG
We moved to Hong Kong in 2015, and spent our first Christmas Day in the little town of Stanley. The pier in the background originally stood on the shore of super-busy Central district.
Two sides of Christmas, Hong Kong-style: Looking out to sea at Discovery Bay on Christmas Day 2019, and festive decorations in Central.
The sunset view was taken on the balcony of our apartment on Christmas Day the previous year.
SEYCHELLES
Palm trees and Christmas trees: We spent the festive season in the Seychelles in 2013. The straw tree stood in the capital, Victoria.
LONDON
In 2012, Sue took a whirlwind trip to the UK capital to attend a friend’s birthday party, but found time to do some sightseeing.
BEIJING
The canny Chinese make the most of their festive decorations. They set them up for Christmas, then keep them for the Chinese New Year celebrations a few weeks later. This display was in Sanlitun, a district known for its smart shops and lively bars that’s popular with expats.
The locals, meanwhile, love to have fun on the ice in the capital’s many parks.
CALIFORNIA
We spent the run-up to Christmas 2013 in California. We were at Hearst Castle when they were putting up a lofty Christmas tree. And at the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles we saw what was said to be the tallest tree in the world.
PORTUGAL
In the Algarve, where we’re spending Christmas this year, the boat owners are getting into the festive mood. And the festive decorations in the old town are looking pretty.
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Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Booking.com and Japan Rail Pass. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.
LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!
Christmas Around
the World
COLIN SIMPSON and SUE BRATTLE
WE’LL soon be entering the 15th year of our life as expats. Since leaving the UK, we’ve spent Christmas in lots of different places. Here’s a selection of our festive memories from around the world.
DUBAI, UAE
OUR expat adventure started in Dubai, where we saw Santa riding a camel on the beach. Boxes of Ferrero Rocher appear under the Christmas tree each year in lots of countries. This slightly wonky model of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, was displayed in one of the city’s many malls in 2012. In 2010, we saw Santa again, this time making a swift exit after a guest appearance at the World Trade Centre Apartments.
Two years before that, Colin seemed to be feeling the cold despite the Dubai heat. He’s wearing a hat from the Ski Dubai indoor snow slope. In 2012, it was a table for two on the balcony for turkey with all the trimmings.
VIETNAM
In 2016, we had a classic Christmas beach holiday on the island of Phu Quoc. We’d spent Christmas eve on a stopover in Hanoi, and were thrilled by the energy and excitement on the streets there. It seemed as if everyone who lived in the capital was out having fun.
HONG KONG
We moved to Hong Kong in 2015, and spent our first Christmas Day in the lively little town of Stanley. The pier in the background originally stood on the shore of super-busy Central district.
Two sides of Christmas, Hong Kong-style: Looking out to sea at Discovery Bay on Christmas Day 2019, and festive decorations in Central.
The sunset view was taken on the balcony of our apartment on Christmas Day the previous year.
SEYCHELLES
Palm trees and Christmas trees: We spent the festive season in the Seychelles in 2013. The straw tree stood in the capital, Victoria.
LONDON
In 2012, Sue took a whirlwind trip to the UK capital to attend a friend’s birthday party, but found time to do some sightseeing.
BEIJING
The canny Chinese make the most of their festive decorations. They set them up for Christmas, then keep them for the Chinese New Year celebrations a few weeks later. This display was in Sanlitun, a district known for its smart shops and lively bars that’s popular with expats. The locals, meanwhile, love to have fun on the ice in the capital’s many parks.
CALIFORNIA
We spent the run-up to Christmas 2013 in California. We were at Hearst Castle when they were putting up a lofty Christmas tree. And at the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles we saw what was said to be the tallest tree in the world.
PORTUGAL
In the Algarve, where we’re spending Christmas this year, the boat owners are getting into the festive mood. And the festive decorations in the old town are looking pretty.
MELBOURNE
And one to forget: Colin spent Christmas Day 2017 in an accident and emergency unit after breaking his wrist.
Top photo: Last Christmas on our balcony in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong.
December 2020
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‘TWAS CHRISTMAS DAY in the Accident and Emergency Unit: Most of us look forward to the festive season, but it doesn’t always turn out well… READ MORE
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WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! Afaranwide’s home page – this is where you can find out about our latest posts and other highlights. READ MORE
TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Our detailed guide to creating a website, one step at a time. The costs, the mistakes – it’s what we wish we’d known when we started blogging. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
TROUBLED TIMES FOR EXPATS: Moving abroad can seem an idyllic prospect, but what happens when sudden upheavals or the inescapable realities of life intrude? READ MORE
Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Booking.com and Japan Rail Pass. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.
LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!
Christmas Around
the World
COLIN SIMPSON and SUE BRATTLE
WE’LL soon be entering the 15th year of our life as expats. Since leaving the UK, we’ve spent Christmas in lots of different places. Here’s a selection of our festive memories from around the world.
DUBAI, UAE
OUR expat adventure started in Dubai, where we saw Santa riding a camel on the beach. Boxes of Ferrero Rocher appear under the Christmas tree each year in lots of countries. This slightly wonky model of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, was displayed in one of the city’s many malls in 2012.
In 2010, we saw Santa again, this time making a swift exit after a guest appearance at the World Trade Centre Apartments.
Two years before that, Colin seemed to be feeling the cold despite the Dubai heat. He’s wearing a hat from the Ski Dubai indoor snow slope. In 2012, it was a table for two on the balcony for turkey with all the trimmings.
VIETNAM
In 2016, we had a classic Christmas beach holiday on the island of Phu Quoc. We’d spent Christmas eve on a stopover in Hanoi, and were thrilled by the energy and excitement on the streets there. It seemed as if everyone who lived in the capital was out having fun.
HONG KONG
We moved to Hong Kong in 2015, and spent our first Christmas Day in the lively little town of Stanley. The pier in the background originally stood on the shore of super-busy Central district.
Two sides of Christmas, Hong Kong-style: Looking out to sea at Discovery Bay on Christmas Day 2019, and festive decorations in Central.
The sunset view was taken on the balcony of our apartment on Christmas Day the previous year.
SEYCHELLES
Palm trees and Christmas trees: We spent the festive season in the Seychelles in 2013. The straw tree stood in the capital, Victoria.
LONDON
In 2012, Sue took a whirlwind trip to the UK capital to attend a friend’s birthday party, but found time to do some sightseeing.
BEIJING
The canny Chinese make the most of their festive decorations. They set them up for Christmas, then keep them for the Chinese New Year celebrations a few weeks later. This display was in Sanlitun, a district known for its smart shops and lively bars that’s popular with expats. The locals, meanwhile, love to have fun on the ice in the capital’s many parks.
CALIFORNIA
We spent the run-up to Christmas 2013 in California. We were at Hearst Castle when they were putting up a lofty Christmas tree. And at the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles we saw what was said to be the tallest tree in the world.
PORTUGAL
In the Algarve, where we’re spending Christmas this year, the boat owners are getting into the festive mood. And the festive decorations in the old town are looking pretty.
MELBOURNE
And one to forget: Colin spent Christmas Day 2017 in an accident and emergency unit after breaking his wrist.
Top photo: Last Christmas on our balcony in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong.
December 2020
RELATED
CHOOSING A WINTER holiday destination in Asia can be surprisingly tricky, but we found the perfect place – Phu Quoc in Vietnam. READ MORE
‘TWAS CHRISTMAS DAY in the Accident and Emergency Unit: Most of us look forward to the festive season, but it doesn’t always turn out well… READ MORE
RECOMMENDED
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! Afaranwide’s home page – this is where you can find out about our latest posts and other highlights. READ MORE
TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Our detailed guide to creating a website, one step at a time. The costs, the mistakes – it’s what we wish we’d known when we started blogging. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
TROUBLED TIMES FOR EXPATS: Moving abroad can seem an idyllic prospect, but what happens when sudden upheavals or the inescapable realities of life intrude? READ MORE
Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Booking.com and Japan Rail Pass. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.