As if there would not already be enough to prepare for the holidays over Christmas, now you are even expected to read here more about the festive days too?
No, no, no – same as probably your good self, I am also busy and will not keep you long. Also, for every one of us ’bule’s, a Christmas away from the used-to traditional surroundings is a different matter. I am spending my 18th year here, slowly getting used to not look up at the sky any more, waiting for the snowflakes and a white Christmas.

So what to do on Christmas here on Bali in the tropics?
I cannot speak for you and much depends on if you have kids to consider and make them happy.
Then you may want to look for dining in a restaurant with pool…

Just want to tell you about a not widely practised alternative – which yesterday came up right in front of my nose, when I checked my face book page.

There I saw the Manager of UbudProperty, Pak Dani and his wife Ayu, celebrating her birthday.
A photo showed them eating out.
Mind you, Pak Dani earns a decent salary, Ms. Ayu is branch Manager of a well-known Bank, and not on a low income either.
So where do we expect them to feast on the occasion?
Probably in a 5 –Star hotel with multiple- course delicacies? Mosaic in Ubud? Would it have been Locavore, known for their imported meat specialties? Bridges in Ubud or any of the top 50 places recommended by Tripadvisor to eat out? Did they maybe venture out to Seminyak, with 3 Million Rupiah in the handbag to cover the dinner bill including service and tax?

I love this: They went instead into a nearby local Warung. They had mie ayam (or nasi goreng), cannot remember which one, - but what I find remarkable is that they could detach themselves from the standard thinking that we have to do what everyone else does. That we have to live and spend according to our means of income and what others think of our choice of life style.

I am sure, they got a good giggle out of their Birthday splurge idea and this may be worth more, than sitting in an elegant environment, and in order to fit in well, remembering the rules of etiquette, such as to sit with the feet neatly parallel, body upright and chewing small bites only, one at a time.

Obviously this is a choice for your Christmas Dinner too. Just saying…
I know, next time I pass by, some local Restaurant owners may throw rocks at me for writing this, but who cares. I can run fast.
And next time on a quite ordinary day I may as well feel like going out with my dear wife and give them a good run for their kitchen staff. Usually all balances in the end.

Well, gotto go. Things to do, you know how it is these days before Christmas.
Wishing you a good time and that you can celebrate the way you really, really like.

Ray
For the Team of UbudProperty