Bagni di Lucca and Beyond followers who live in the northern hemisphere will be expecting a cold Christmas, possibly with snow.
In Australia, where I am now, it is hot, hot, hot. It is quite normal for Australians to have Christmas at the beach. As children, my brother and sister and I would be up at the crack of dawn to open our presents. One very good Christmas we got Coolite surfboards and we were immediately off to the beach to try them out.
We came home reluctantly for lunch, gobbled down our Christmas delights and headed straight back to the beach. I grew up at Main Beach, on Queensland’s Gold Coast, and we now have an apartment just one block from our old house, which has long gone.
We don’t go often enough, but I was there this morning for a very early morning walk on the beach. The surf was whipped up into choppy swell by the wind or I would have been in the water as well.
I was on the beach before 6.00am and the mist was still heavy towards Surfers Paradise.
It was a bit clearer the other way, towards the spit.
The seagulls were in a huddle against the wind…getting themselves ready for their busy day.
This is what people in the cold north are missing out on. These are some photos of my favourite beach in all the world, taken over the last few years.
On the way back to the apartment I spotted this little koala. Someone with a sense of humour had clipped it to a Frangipani branch in the garden.
Now for a shameless plug. Our apartment in Norfolk Apartments, just across the road form the beach, has some vacancies over the Christmas holidays. We have a newly refurbished swimming pool and a delightful new property manager. He has arrived recently with his charming wife and their 3 little children to look after Norfolk for us. We are delighted to have them with us.
Here is the website…www.norfolkapartments.com.au
Our apartment is number 8, but if that is booked, there will be others available.
I spotted them – I spotted them – butt cheeks😉
By: Jan on December 5, 2015
at 12:07 pm
They pull up their swim suits so that they slide easily on the seats. Isn’t it a good idea?
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 8:55 pm
Yes:)
By: Jan on December 6, 2015
at 2:06 am
Champagne (or a cold beer) and prawns on the beach…. A piece of paradise!
By: Mulino Dominillo on December 5, 2015
at 12:08 pm
There is a lot to be said for a hot Christmas.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 8:55 pm
Your beach looks fab! I would love to stay in your apartment. Maybe one day. The furthest I have flown so far is to Barbados an eight hour flight from the uk. A twenty four hour flight, I don’t know if I could do that 😳 I saw the butt cheeks too!
By: janetknight57 on December 5, 2015
at 12:17 pm
I do the flight 4 times a year. You get used to it. Stopping along the way is a good idea.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 8:56 pm
Getting your Christmas presents and then going out to the surf. I need some time to wrap my head around that one. As an East Coaster, we’re all about bundling up for Christmas. Sounds like good fun, though!
By: Eagle-Eyed Editor on December 5, 2015
at 12:29 pm
I guess it is what you get used to. Hot weather and prawns is Christmas here.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 8:58 pm
Such beautiful views of a part of the world I have never seen. Impressive how the skyscrapers are right along the shoreline — we don’t really have that here in Southern California.
By: Stacy di Anna on December 5, 2015
at 3:11 pm
We could probably do without the skyscrapers along the beach, but it is too late now. The beach is still fabulous though.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 8:59 pm
Those are pretty nice butt cheeks!
By: Yvonne on December 5, 2015
at 3:52 pm
Well spotted.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 9:00 pm
I was there for last Christmas and it was oysters and prawns for Christmas dinner which was perfect in the heat. Enjoy!
By: Mallee Stanley on December 5, 2015
at 3:56 pm
I am not really a fan of very hot weather, but the beach is a compensation.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 9:00 pm
Hi Deb, your child hood Christmas sound identical to mine. Mine were on the northern beaches of Sydney. Mind you, now I spend Christmas in Coffs Harbour and still start my morning on the beach. I love it. We dream of a white Christmas but it would be pretty hard to beat what we have.
By: Lyn on December 5, 2015
at 8:10 pm
I have had the odd white Christmas and it is fun. They both have their benefits.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2015
at 9:02 pm
The heart is torn between the cold north and the hot humid Qld Christmas, both have the plusses and the negatives. Eg. the real cold verses the humidity. Still enjoyable wherever we get to have fun with family and friends..
By: Kirsi Säde on December 6, 2015
at 1:12 am
I struggle with the heat and humidity, but like the beach. I love the cold, but wonder how I would cope long term. Luckily I get to do a bit of both.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 6, 2015
at 5:15 am
Lovely collection of photos Debra. Looks very inviting.
By: Kerry & Jim on December 7, 2015
at 1:48 am
It is a beautiful beach.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 8, 2015
at 9:13 am
See you on the beach!?🤔🙂
By: janinevasta on December 7, 2015
at 12:03 pm
Are you coming to the Gold Coast?
By: Debra Kolkka on December 8, 2015
at 9:14 am
Yes! Christmas Eve will be at Broadbeach!
By: janinevasta on December 8, 2015
at 9:21 am
Early mornings at the beach are the best, we love taking the dogs before the sunrise to avoid the crowds and the heat. Enjoy your Aussie Christmas 🙂
By: twoblackdoggies on December 7, 2015
at 8:33 pm
I always go early to avoid the hot sun. I love my early mornings on the beach.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 8, 2015
at 9:15 am
Wish I could fly there Debra! It actually is extremely mild so far but the beach looks very inviting!
By: thirdeyemom on December 8, 2015
at 2:18 am
I love the surf…one of the reasons I like to be in Australia.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 8, 2015
at 9:15 am
You have the best of both worlds Debra! 🙂
By: thirdeyemom on December 8, 2015
at 3:49 pm
I know that people often say a hot Christmas seems odd but I love it! Of course a cold Christmas is also fun but in a different way.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 8, 2015
at 11:59 am
Growing up on the Central Coast of California, I remember a few Christmas’s that were warm enough for the beach. I do love sun and sand – and heat! Thanks for some “warm” photos on a cold night.
By: sheilasunshine on December 8, 2015
at 5:39 pm
Although it’s been mild so far for me, a dash of the tropics is great in December. Enjoy!!!
By: aFrankAngle on December 11, 2015
at 12:41 pm
[…] home we went to the beach…a good reason to be in […]
By: A year of travel | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 26, 2015
at 1:20 pm