Feliz Natal from Brazil

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas and Feliz Natal from Brazil. We are having a fine time with Christmas hat making, eggs for breakfast, secret santa and a big Brazilian BBQ for our Christmas meal. Not to mention our very own answer to Santa (Ken) who we are fairly convinced may be the real thing. For all our friends, family and loved ones at home here are some photos to enjoy this festive season. Happy Christmas from the South America 2013-14 Odyssey Overland group.

Tropical Christmas tree

Bartley takes control of Christmas breakfast

Ken & Mike

Danielle & Hannah enjoy the Christmas tunes

Johnny makes a rare appearance at breakfast

Maddie & Lou, our bar team, give the group a bubbly breakfast present from the bar

Ken enjoys his breakfast mimosa

Mike

Toby tucks into a special Christmas pancake

Fanning team for the Christmas heat

AJ

Steve on Skype, complete with petals

Hammock Hannah

Lou's Christmas hat

Camp Christmas cat

Si sweats a few litres of water over the BBQ 

Danielle's handmade Christmas hat

Hannah's dulce de leche Christmas hat

AJ's Aussie Christmas hat

Ellie

Ann looking lovely

Christmas party hats

Nothing like leaving it to the last minute for Steve & Mike

Santa & his ladies

Christmas Cook Group 6 outdid themselves

Christmas BBQ time

Santa grabs some food

Santa prepares his presents

Santa & Glenn

Santa & Bartley

Santa & Simon

Santa & Danielle prove to be too much Christmas spirit for the chair

Santa & Triona

Santa & Maddie

Simon & his new toy truck, a bit overheated after 4 hours by the BBQ

Simon taking an involuntary trip to the pool

Cooling off

To celebrate, Danielle (our resident spirit of Christmas in the group) wrote a poem. Enjoy!

Operation Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas, 


When all through the camp,


Not a creature was stirring, 


As everyone was hammered!


All the stockings were hung 


Inside the truck with care,


But all Danielle wanted to do 


Was straighten her hair!


By now, most of the Odyssey gang 


Were snug in their beds,


While visions of parilla


Danced in their heads,

And Maddie in his tartans, 


And Johnny's trousers in mishap,


Had just settled their brains 


With one last night cap


When out on the lawn


There arose such a clatter,


So up jumped Simon


To see what was the matter?


From his rooftop view


He could see in a flash,


That the 'Odyssey Hardcore' 


Were making a dash...


To get to the fridge 


Before it was drunk dry,


If the wine was all gone, 


They surely would cry!


When to their drink fuelled eyes


What should appear?


But a miniature sleigh, 


And eight tiny reindeer,


They did not realise


Ken was playing a trick,


And thought for a moment


It must be St. Nick!


The white beard had fooled them,


So excited they were...


Then Toby swapped places,


Happening all in a blur!


Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, 


Now! Prancer, and Vixen,


Let's keep up the charade,


And continue to trick them!


Eamon as 'Chief Elf',


Dressed in Irish green,


And Hannah with her sheep bones,


The best antlers you've seen!


But what were the presents


Santa had in his sack?


No more than 5 dollars


And secrets at that!


All Ellie had wanted


Was a clean pair of pants,


But hiking in such dust


There was simply no chance!


A puppy instead


Was next on her list,


And Emma agreed,


As by now she was pissed!


Christmas had come early,


Everyone arose from their tents.


To continue the party,


It made complete sense!


So with bleary eyes,


Cook Group 2 set up,


"Two, two, two, two"...


They just wouldn't shut up!


Now busy by the truck,


Preparing the dinner,


A roast with the trimmings


Would be such a winner!


With Steve calling home,


Loved ones filled people's heads.


While Donna and Glen


Missed their Vegemite spread!


But one person was missing,


Still fast asleep perhaps?


No, Wayne was on a hill,


Doing another time lapse!


With crackers all pulled


And party hats on,


Another round of drinks,


It was time for a song...


"New York, New York"


Was top of Mike's list,


But some wouldn't join in,


No matter how pissed!


AJ took pictures


Of the people who tried,


Then a bright light appeared


Twinkling high in the sky...


It was fairy godmother Ann


Who would grant us one wish...


"Let us stay in a hotel


And one that is swish!"


A hot shower and a toilet


Would be second choice,


Or some new rubber gloves


Came from Tee's voice.


Busy washing the pots


With Bartley in tow,


The two worked their magic,


And the truck did glow.


Triona was happy,


She had a clean wine glass,


While Lou added up the bar tabs


Which was a pain in the ass!


Such a big group of drinkers,


It wasn't such a mystery,


But maybe this South American trip


Would go down in Odyssey history!


Andrew worked it out


As a veteran Odyssey goer,


There'd be mutiny on board


If the fridge got any lower!


Joanna suggested 'Uno'


To exercise the mind,


Card games and laughter,


It's fun every time!


Then out came the hot chocolate,


As Lee brewed the kettle,


Kelly telling stories of Texas


As the camp started to settle.


Then "Ho, ho, ho!",


Came the sound of Ken's voice.


Brazil for Christmas,


What a good choice!