Ah there is nothing as satisfying as time away with the wife and family especially on a cruise to a much warmer climate. True it is quite challenging to go incognito but I figured it I tossed on a Tommy Bahamma shirt I just might be able to blend right in to the crowd. Some say the hat is a perfect giveaway, but you would be surprised how most people just seem to look the other way at the, how shall I put it delicately, unique outfits many cruise passengers seem to wear. Perhaps it is the "what happens at sea stays at sea" mentality but other than a doubletake from some, I and the Mrs blended in quite easily.
There is something so peaceful sailing each day. The gentle rocking, the soothing sounds of the sea relax the mind and the body, and trust me when I say this body needed the rest. We wanted to soak up as much of the overall atmosphere and experience all that we could for soon enough it is back to the North Pole for me and plenty of work to do. It was of course important for the Mrs to rise each morning to some beautiful flowers to start her day off. She teases me that I really only work one night a year, but it is only in jest as she knows all I go through to earn a trip such as this. So in many ways all that she handles at home with the house, the cooking , the elves running wild, the annual Karaoke Egg Nog fiesta and even the occasional assistance with the naughty/nice list meant this trip was for her.I simply tell her the places I visit each Christmas Eve and she chooses where to be.
Coconuts! Take me somewhere where there are coconuts. She asked and I delivered. Oh boy did I! Took her to some of the most beautiful and tranquil waters any eye could see. The bluest of blues and greenest of greens. The colors exploded into your sight at every turn of the head. The warm sun heightend the red in my cheeks and the culinary cuisine filled my belly. The sweets about were not that bad either as I was able to enjoy a cookie or two or three each night before bed. When it comes to me it all about traditions and this I can't deny myself.
Did I mention the blue? Breathtaking. And the waters were some of the warmest you will ever encounter. There was however little chance of me doing too much swimming out here. Yes I got into a swimsuit and all but I am a floater and not a swimmer. Keep me in water were I can stand and I am quite easily appeased. No sense venturing into something that was simply not meant for me. Right? Yes indeed I thought but the Mrs was there with a snorkle and fins encouraging me to venture out and try something different. Oh how happy I was to oblige. I have to admit that more often than not she is indeed always right. To experience the magestry of the undersea world goes without a just description. Once I was in I did not want to get out.
I encountered many unique creatures beneath these warm tranquil waters. Take me out of my comfort zone I thought. How wrong I was. I don't foresee myself dipping into the North Pole ponds for a snorkleing adventure anytime soon, but I do find myself longing for a return to this undersea world....warmer waters of course.
Sadly however all things must indeed come to an end. We sailed our last day and I and the Mrs sat marveling at nothing but the ocean for as far as the eye could see. As we sat there enjoy our balcony served meal we marveled and the most amazing sunset our eyes could see. The end to a wonderful journey indeed. My mind and body are more than rested. It is time to head home and begin to prepare for the upcoming season. We will however get at least one more vacation in hopefully. Until that next journey I will simply say to all of you a Merry Christmas all year round. It is the joy inside that keeps up happy and looking forward to so much more.
I never thought I would be so tired just one week after making my Christmas Eve journey, but last night definitely took a bit out of me. I have promised Mrs. Claus for years that I would take her somewhere special to ring in the New Year. Well I decided to do it the only way Santa can really do it....and that is go BIG. Hooking up Prancer and Vixen to our mini sleigh I surprised her by flying off to New Zealands main city of Auckland to be one of the first to see the New Year roll in as we glided above the harbor to enjoy the fireworks display. Vixen too loves fireworks but to be quite honest, Prancer could do without them. As we journeyed past Sydney Harbor Bridge we saw the most memmorable and beautiful sight as fireworks rained down from the the bridge itself. The city itself seemed to then explode in a bloom of color as fireworks were launched from skyscrapers with fireworks being launched from barges in the harbor at the same instance. We then scooted off to Hong Kong in time to catch a pyrotechnic show that was launched from both land and sea illuminating the sky to cheers that echoed throughout the land. We were only briefly able to catch the celebratory style of Shanghai as the fireworks were winding down when we arrived. Mrs Claus is certain however that she heard a mixture of Gangnam Style and Auld Lang Syne echoing below. The beauty of it all may have been seeing fireworks high above the Acropolis in Greece. Always one of my favorite places to see, ever since I witnessed Jason and the Argonauts do battle above it, it was wonderful to see it in such a celebratory expression of renewed life. We sailed quickly up to Moscow to catch the revelry high above the Kremlin and then it was off to Paris to catch the Eiffel Tower brightly shown against the rain of light. Although the night was a bit chilly as we raced above the Atlantic, it was imperative that we catch the midnight celebration in New York Cit. Frank Sinatra once told me that celebrations of all celebrations start in New York City. With nowhere to park the sleigh we gazed upon the millions of celebrants lining the streets below as the cherrished ball finally dropped ringing in the New Year in the States. I am sure that somewhere here in the stars, Dick Clark was watching down upon this celebration as well. Ah, in the faint distance I hear Frank singing New York, New York as we sail west toward the Golden Gate to catch the celebration San Francisco style. The weather is quite pleasant here and hardly feels like winter. As the cable car bells ring below and beacon light shines bright above the Transamerica pyramid, the fireworks begin and do not disappoint. With Mrs. Claus getting a bit tired (she is not used to these long nightly journeys), I had one more stop for her to see as we sailed across the Pacific to the magical island of Hawaii. Hints abound as perhaps this could be our winter getaway this year...perhaps. Time however for us to head back home and toast to a New Year. Quite a journey and quite a night. I wish all of you a wonderful New Year. It was time however to get some rest, especially if I was going to be able to awaken in time for the Rose Bowl tomorrow. Happy New Year everybody...make it a safe one and stay on the nice list....
The snow continues to fall outside tonight. It is cold but barely a breeze blowing. These are the perfect nights to stroll through the snow and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. The elves are all off for the next month except for a few who help me to manage the naughty and nice list. Let me tell you though, these elves have earned the break. Believe it or not though most simply stay around Christmas village and enjoy all of the wonderments it has to offer. Our theater continuously shows Christmas themed movies year round while the local diner offers a weekend karaoke night every Saturday evening. We will be strolling down there in a little while to spread a little more Christmas cheer by singing some all time hits. When I belt out "Here comes Santa Claus" I literally bring down the house every time. But for now I am sitting back enjoying my cocoa and some of Mrs. Claus homemade peppermint bark which is my favorite. A piece or two left on a plate for me come Christmas Eve will always bring a smile to my face and a glow to my cheeks. The closest to the Mrs. recipe can only be found in the Netherlands where the Dutch have always done wonders when it comes to chocolate. Historically the Dutch process for modern chocolate was developed in the early 19th century by Dutch chocolate maker Coenraad Johannes van Houten (always on the nice list), and his father Casparus is responsible for the development of the method removing fat from cacao beans by hydraulic press around 1828, which formed the basis for cocoa powder. These developments greatly expanded the use of chocolate, which had been mostly used as a beverage in Europe until that time. I am wandering now as I am sometimes known to do. But back to my cocoa, my peppermint bark and a song or two later. Until then, stay on the nice list......
What a season it has been. I have just woken up from my long winter's nap after quite a journey this Christmas past. Though the weather in some areas certainly was frightful, the Reindeers kept the ride smooth and the new seat warmer in the sleigh built by crack team of elves made the ride quite delightful. I wish to say to one and all thank you so much for all of the cookies and treats and especially the celery and carrots left for the Reindeer. Prancer for one can not say no to a cookie or two or three or four. But then again, neither can I. HO HO HO HO. I was able to make a special stop this year in Walnut Creek to say a special hello to a little girl named Alyssa and her friends. The joy of Christmas shown bright on their faces and seeing the smiles they shared keeps the Christmas spirit warm and alive inside of me. To the families on Chestnut Street your houses were so beautiful and warm and inviting with lights so bright they brought a twinkle to my eye. On Gilham street this year in Eugene, you may have outdone yourselves. From high above the sky your lights showed me the way. Through the Black Forest we flew with traditions in houses old and new. In Napoli I did fly wishes I had been earlier for a slice of pizza pie. Perhaps next year, someone could leave me just a slice to tie me over. Above the Alps we flew and into some of the most beautiful Christmas scenes I forever will remember. The journey for me each Christmas Eve may seem long, but in an instant it is gone. I look back and smile and prepare for the next day as those memories bring smiles to me along the way. As I gaze out the window and the fresh snow sparkles new today, as the elves are skating or making snowmen along the way, just simply playing and enjoying this day. Perhaps this season I will take a short vacation to somewhere warm. Perhaps the Mrs and I will simply stay up here and just enjoy this brief break. Thank you all for the joy you have all brought me this Christmas and throughout the year. I will keep you posted and look forward to seeing you all again very soon.
Stay on the Nice List, Santa Claus
