Wednesday, Christmas Day

Wow what a beautiful morning after all the rain yesterday.

I decided to go for a swim first thing as we were up so early and breakfast was late today. The water was lovely, not as warm as Aitutaki but clear. I noticed what looked like a fossilised fish in the water and I touched it and got the shock of my life when it moved! Just as well I had my reef shoes on. It was very big and very ugly. I will Google it when I have better wi-fit think it might be a stone fish so glad I had my shoes on! I have since Googled it and it was either a stone fish, very dangerous or a flying gurnard, not very dangerous.

I could hear Jon talking so assumed he had managed to contact the girls so I got out to chat to them. It was lovely to see Jane, Heather and Jason and hopefully we can speak to Kirsty and James later. We did lose the connection so our chat was brief. Heather remarked on my big hair and I told her it was island hair and I can't do a thing with it.

We then went across to the bar for breakfast and it was lovely with everyone wishing everyone a merry Christmas. Breakfast was fruit followed by banana pancakes freshly made by Jim. What a character this guy is. We saw that Chas had two turkeys cooking on the BBQ, there is not much that this man can't cook on the BBQ.

We then went out for a ride and put the top down on the Z3 which did nothing for my hair! We drove all round the island stopping to have a listen to the church services. One choir was singing a hymn, He has Risen! I think they have the season wrong!

We got to Muri Beach and went into one of the plush hotels the same chain as the one we went to on Aitutaki. We went to the Barefoot Bar on the beach and had iced coffee overlooking the lagoon which is pretty shallow here and you can walk across to the island on the other side.

We left there and stopped at a shop to see if I could buy a hat but ended up with a loaf of bread and some butter as we could only buy wraps yesterday and the bread looked much better.

Back at our resort I went in for another swim and then Jon poured me a glass of wine and I went to dry off in the hammock and I didn't spill a drop of wine as I got in.

We then got showered and ready for our 1.00 lunch. Jon put his new Island shirt on and we went across for lunch. It was a lovely atmosphere over there and we sat by two women from Melbourne who were staying at another resort which had nothing on for Christmas and they had no transport. Why have guests for Christmas and not make an effort? Our young Italian friend Nicolais also came to sit with us so we had a really jolly time.

Lunch was delicious, very different to a traditional dinner but lovely. Pudding was passion fruit cheesecake and macadamia nut pie with ice cream.

The guy who played the piano last night was there with his wife and another man who comes to play the ukelele on Fridays was there so we had entertainment, too. A lady danced to I'm Dreaming of a white Christmas Polynesian dancing with all the actions and it was lovely.

I tried to get everyone up for the hokeycokey and managed to get a few up but the French guests were too reserved! Party poopers!

We went back to our room and I put my togs on and went to lie on the beach and Jon listened to his iPad in the hammock and we both had a snooze. I woke and hand a swim and then a shower and read my book.

Dinner tonight was on our deck, ham, cheese and bread and it was like a feast!

I haven't managed to speak to Kirsty as she has no Internet yet but she did email me to say James' nanna had a fall and broke her hip just as they were finishing their meal so James parents had to go to the hospital. What a shame.

We on the other hand have had the most amazing Christmas Day and one we will never forget.

Only two more days and we go home. This holiday has flown by so fast.

WEATHER
Sunny, clear sky 30 degrees