A Bali Christmas like no other.

I am sure I share this thought with most people around the world, that this Christmas has been the most unusual of their entire lifetime.

With cases and deaths of Covid -19 patients hitting new highs every day around the world the professionals advise simply having  a low-key Christmas with your immediate family which is exactly what we did.

Normally we would go on a Christmas vacation someplace like Switzerland as we did last year.

Having our two boys at home following months of online schooling added a new challenge to a already nerve racking Christmas this year.

My lovely wife Azizah offered to bring a turkey from our home  to the home of the mother of the father of our two boys and their uncles.

This presented a special challenge especially when I started looking for turkeys several months before. 

I was concerned that with the pandemic most food supplies will probably feel reluctant to bring in a large supply of turkeys especially with tourists being down 70%.

I managed to locate a few thanks to the staff of Cafe Smorgas in Sanur  who refered me to Lotus foods several months ago. 

I found  space for them in our two freezers. 

Unfortunately the largest I could buy at the time was only 5 kg. just barely enough to feed five or six people, or two of me.

The other problem I faced was since our destination for Christmas day was a full two hours away and I had t figure out how to cook a turkey and serve it warm since they did not have a large oven.

All problems are solved with time money or combination of both and after lots of time debating issues I decided to have one turkey with our immediate family at our home on Christmas Eve.

We were definitely practising social distancing.

Then I got a call from my oldest friend David Howell who has been living in Bali almost as many years as I have and I invited him over as well.

As we talked in the Bale with pre-dinner drinks he advised me that he just discovered that one of his ancestors actually came over on the Mayflower from England to Portsmouth with  the famous Pilgrims which eventually led to the yearly celebration of Thanksgiving.

After spending the afternoon preparing Grandma's Turkey stuffing which included bread, sage, thyme, rosemary, salary, eggs, and chicken broth with my own personal addition of walnuts I placed the turkey in the oven and was happy to see that it had the famous pop-up timer to tell me when it was ready.

Several hours later as I watched and basted constantly it was ready and looked beautiful.

 The timer had popped and so I naturally assumed that it was cooked perfectly but when I started to crave it I realized it was a  little drier than expected.

But but still not bad for the second turkey I ever cooked in  my long lifetime.

Nobody complained.

Later our boys, Azizah and I enjoyed opening the limited presents we had this year.

A highlight of the day for me was when my 16-year-old came and gave me `an unusual long hug and thanked me for being his dad.

As a stepfather I always wonder how good a job am I doing. 

This was the best reward and Christmas present of my lifetime.

Young Darius also gave me a great hug.

After a final hug from Azizah it was time to hit the sack and rest for another day of cooking, travelling and partying

The next morning I got up early and put the second turkey in the oven. This time watching it closely and not relying on the timer.

Lo and behold I pulled it out at the perfect time with the juices flowing and frankly couldn't wait to cut into it later that day.

Then we headed up the coast to the home where the boys grew up with her mom which is more like a castle owned by the famous jewellery designer Shankari  who is mother to the boy's father.

This building is located on gorgeous Balian River.

 It is very unique. She now labels it as an artists retreat.

Soon after arrival we are advised where we could stay the night in the second home that she built recently on the same property. It is actually still in construction but several bedrooms were prepared for us

Later it was time to serve the second turkey which was devoured quickly.

Then it was time for presents.

Shown here is Shankari with her daughter-in-law Azizah.

Also joining them was a lovely young lady Mira who is from a very successful Bali family who own the Kopi Bali Brand.

Shown here is our 16-year-old son Xander and his uncle Ahkasha Ashton

It wasn't long before everybody got in the photo including grandchildren of Shankari and her other son Jaya. Two other sons Omar and Kainan who lives in Australia were unable to join us.

Shankari's son Jaya is shown here with his two boys Jaida and Keido.

Our two sons from far right Xander and middle Darius with uncle Ahkasa.

Mira and Ahkasha try on their presents and matching Masks

After dinner we decided to go down the famous Balian beach and have a quick swim in a local hotel swimming pool while watching the sunset.

Azizah posing at Balian beach

Although it was a rainy day just before sunset the sun managed to peek out between the horizon and cloud to give us a final mental snapshot.

We spent the night in a building built by Shankari recently on her property which is a piece of art in itself.

Local hardwoods and hand laid mosaic floors make for a unique building by the river.

The view in the morning was stunning of the Balian River and the ocean that runs between Bali and Java.

It was time for a few early morning poses by Azizah

The beautiful mosaic floors are hand laid by Shankari and a multitude of foreigners who stay for work program.

Then it was time for a final goodbye to Shankari as we had to drive the two hours which actually took only 1 1/2 to our home in Southern Bali

Even a new kitten came out to bid us farewell.

Three of Bali's Beauties Mira, Aziah and Mia

Even the driveway to Shankari's residence, as we departed, is a magnificent piece of art.

During the drive home Azizah and I  felt a little alone as the boys decided to stay another night with their former Nanny.

After we arrived home I went  and played a couple of hours of tennis with our Sanur Tennis group.

As I showered later Azizah took a few selfies in the president seat.

We decided to treat ourselves to a date night at the beautiful Fairmont Hotel where we enjoyed a delicious Caesar salad and a Beef Rendang to die for.

That was followed by mandatory photo ops on Boxing Day.

When it was all over after cooking two turkeys and having two turkey dinners, tennis, swimming travelling etc. etc. etc. I felt like Santa Claus in this picture below.

Today I feel like the song "today I'm not anything, nothing at all Except this lengthy blog which I will understand if you don't bother reading it all.

I posted so I have vivid memory of a very interesting Bali Christmas which was like No other in my life.

I'm hoping that all of you managed to enjoy some Christmas Joy.

Remember Christmas is not all about travelling presents, and parties.

It  is about sharing what ever you have with the ones that are closest to you.

Happy Holidays.