The day you all have or have not been been waiting for! Today is Christmas, even though for me it really doesn't feel like it since we have 30 degrees celsius here in Mauritius. 

Fun Facts - Did you know that ...

1. One of the natural symbols of Christmas is the Flamboyant tree, which flowers  every year at Christmastime? In Mauritius the flowering of the Flamboyant tree is associated with Christmas just like people in the northern hemisphere associate snow with Christmas.

2. Mauritius has a very diversified population, with only about 30% being Christian. However Christmas is celebrated by almost everyone, with Christian and non-Christian alike getting together as families and exchanging gifts.  

But as a visitor (especially coming from a cold country), the only time you can feel the Christmas vibe is when you go to shopping areas like „La Croisette“ and „Mont Choisy“ in Grand Baie or hotels where there are big Christmas trees, an ice skating area, live music and even Santa Claus for the children to make wishes.  

Christmas Dinner with @progressivechef 

A huge thank you for a warm welcome goes to Mauritian Steemian @progressivechef ! He was so kind to invite us out on Christmas to taste the absolutely delicious food he used to make at "The Westin Turtle Bay Resort" as a chef cook, before he quit his job to open his own restaurant and become a Steemian. 

How the location, food and evening was? Well, I think the pictures speak for themselves...

@progressivechef and @sirwinchester

If you don't follow @progressivechef already, check him out and support his journey! He's such a genuinely great guy with a big heart and we couldn't have been more happy to spend Christmas Dinner with him and his family. In the picture you see all the nieces and nephews (6 were missing to complete the big family). We learned that they have quite different ambitions from wanting to be a chef cook like their uncle @progressivechef , to becoming a make-up artist, to agriculture major, to graphic designer and so on.. and yet they all support each other and help @progressivechef in his own new restaurant. We had a great evening filled with laughters and appreciate the hospitality. 

This year's Christmas was probably the most special Christmas I have ever experienced and overall I’d prefer Palm trees over Christmas trees any time of the year. It was also my first ever Christmas on an island in a nutshell and it was an amazing experience, since I’m used to a cold winter. I’ve always wanted to skip escape the Christmas hype and this year it’s finally happened. Well kind of.. because the decorations here in Mauritius very much brought the holiday spirit to the island.

Finally we decided to capture this special day accordingly and get a little festive to wish you all:

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

I hope you like our little Christmas clip ft. @sirwinchester @soldier @agent and @thehipsterguru  

WATCH VIDEO << HERE >>

Much love,

- Mrs.Steemit