https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ajuTaHBtM
It’s that time of year to pick a Christmas song. I try not to pick a clichéd Chrissie tune… but isn’t that the definition of most Christmas songs?
Anyway, this year’s pick comes from a slightly surreal Christmas Eve. I flew to Bali to spend it with Christelle, Glen and Leela, who were visiting for Christmas.
My previous Bali Christmas was with them too, at their home on the neighbouring island of Penida. This year was more low-key: Christmas Day we’d booked a hotel in Sanur to do all the hard work — meal with free flow and all that. But on Christmas Eve, Leela wanted to visit her favourite restaurant in Sanur… Massimo’s, an Italian spot whose owner seems to prioritise magic shows as much as the food. There’s a stage front and centre, and the walls are crammed with photos of him alongside fellow magicians. I’ve been a few times before, but I’d never actually seen one of his shows. That was about to change: we were there for his Christmas extravaganza.
I’ll say this — he fully committed. Host, magician, Santa… the lot. Floating tables. A full-size sleigh pushed around the restaurant by a troupe of dancing elves. Gifts handed out to every table. The elves greeted us with a sort-of choreographed dance before we even sat down. My highlight was his commitment to not being Santa… sprinting after “Santa” when he dashed out of the building. The fact Santa’s skin tone seemed to change at some point is… a small detail best not dwelt on.
It’s easy to poke fun, but honestly it was rather charming, and the decorations made it feel very Christmassy. The place is naturally heavy on red, so adding plenty of green tipped it over the line — especially in the courtyard where the trees were covered in lights.
The food was great: a big plate of Italian antipasti to start — always a favourite of mine and a rare treat in Asia — followed by a traditional Christmas meal and dessert.
I
t was a Christmas away from my own family, but I got to spend it with my Aussie family and as evidenced above... they are always fun!
And of course, the music… I’ve gone with the song that was playing as we took our seats.