Christmas in Kyoto – Japan
Merry Christmas 2015!
…and here we are yet again… Another December. Another online Christmas greeting from the road. From my ongoing life of travel.
This year I have a question for all of you: Do you ever travel for Christmas?
If so, to where? What kind of place?
A European city for its glittery lights, snow and Christmas markets?
To a tropical island to escape cold and get an envious mid-winter tan?
Or maybe a ski resort for some exhilarating outdoor exercise in snow-clad mountains?
Or where to you prefer to spend a Christmas holiday?
I ask because it’s just dawned on me that I almost always celebrate Christmas out on the road, in some far-flung country or the other. I’ve celebrated Christmases on tropical beaches, in major cities, on remote islands, at campgrounds and in upscale resorts.
Lash at Taj Mahal – Christmas
I’ve counted Christmases in 10 different countries. (which isn’t really so very many, considering how long I’ve been traveling). Several Xmases in Thailand.
Last year I spent Christmas on the chilly South Island of New Zealand. Two years ago, I was wandering around India’s remote tropical Andaman Islands. Three years ago, I luxuriated at one of my favorite upscale resorts in Bali. Several years I celebrated at Tonsai Beach, Thailand, while teaching scuba diving.
Christmas dessert feast
In fact, I’ve been enjoying solo Christmases on the road almost every year since 1998. I truly enjoy spending the holiday on my own, making it a full day of special treats and activities. I love planning out a special breakfast, lunch and dinner for myself, usually at some luxury restaurants or resorts. Occasionally I’ve put together my own gourmet breakfasts, say out on a beach.
In between gourmet meals, I always try to include some special activity, tour or adventure. One year in Bali I soaked in a cave grotto spa and suntanned poolside in my resort’s lush gardens. Last year I enjoyed a week-long romance in Nelson, New Zealand. For the big Millenium Christmas/New year’s Eve of 1999-2000 I was partying at Phuket Island, Thailand, with all my Thai biker pals.
enjoying Christmas on a beach in Thailand
Then there were a few dud Christmases. There was the time I ended up sick in my hotel room in Yangoon, Myanmar. And another identical time in Bangkok. Then my major dud Christmas in the Andaman Islands, when I got the absolute worst massage of my life (Ayurvedic with masses of slippery, slide-y oil) and could not find one single special meal or activity.
But most years I’ve had really great Christmases while out traveling the world. I love it!
Regardless of what meals and activities I get up to, I also always call my mom & step-dad, my father and my brother & his wife. That’s my bit of family Christmas. Sending each other greetings, hearing about everyone’s presents and the big Xmas dinners. Most years anyhow.
Lash at Christmas in USA
I do occasionally go back to the US for Christmas with family. Let’s see, that would have been in 1998, 2001 and both 2010 & 2011. Wow, that’s just 4 family Christmases in 17 years! Oops.
No, that’s just fine. I make more out of Christmas than just about anyone I’ve ever met, including my family members. So I’ve discovered that I can dream up, plan out and indulge in the most exquisite Christmas days while out on my own.
This year I’ll be celebrating off-grid at the small eco-resort, Hotelito Perdido, in the heart of Rio Dulce National Park, Guatemala.
How about you? Let’s hear about your favorite ways to spend Christmas! …be that at home with family, out on a romantic Christmas holiday get-away, or even solo like me.
However you spend it this year, have a Merry, Merry Christmas everyone!
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
