Since we're taking a trip down travel memory lane, let's go back to 2007. 'Twas a few days through Christmas and Karen, Emily and I were driving through the Caitlins in New Zealand.

We were staying in the remote Surat Bay B&B, keeping company of the herd of sea lions outside our backdoor. This one was peaceful, it wasn't until later that I was charged by a bull.

Karen and Emily were in the Christmas spirit.

So we ventured into Owaka for a yummy dinner of green lipped oysters and pavlova. And along came Santa Claus on his most traditional form of transportation.

Karen insisted we spend Christmas in a place of unparalleled natural beauty if we weren't going to be with our families. I think New Zealand qualified. And the leg of lamb we made that night in the crowded hostel kitchen was one of the best Christmas dinners of my life. Even after we spent all week prancing through fields with all the cute little baby lambs nearby, it was still a yummy break from my pre-marital usual pseudo-vegetarianism. We actually spent Christmas on a reindeer farm. How appropriate.