In the 1970's the family and I spent three years in the Soloman Islands in the South Pacific. Of course that means we had three Christmases there and they were a bit different from our typical UK Christmas. It's summer down there, 30°C + for a start.

No conifers, no Christmas trees, no holly, no mistletoe, no robins and no snow or frost. Our Christmas trees were coconut pines and flaming red bougainvillea and poinsettias. Our holly and mistletoe were magnolias and hibiscus and our robins were parakeets.

The day starts the same as Christmas the world over. You know, presents displayed at the end of the bed, excited kids waking early. But there the resemblance to UK Christmases ends.

It's down to the beach with a picnic hamper and merging with all the other families doing the same thing.

And what's on the lunch menu? Turkey and all the trimmings? No way - it's freshly caught tuna., barbecued on the beach. Mind you it is followed by Christmas pudding, mince pies and Christmas cake. And Christmas crackers, flown in at great expense.

Oh and I nearly forgot - the most important item of all for the kids - a visit from Santa in full regalia in the afternoon heat. But no sleigh - he arrives on the back of a pickup truck.

The afternoon wears on, everyone seeks the shade. The kids are getting tired, the sun sinks, the temperature drops, the families wind their way home.

Some of the kids are whingeing by now. It's off to bed with them and they are soon asleep. Why it ends just like Christmas in any other part of the world after all!

by David Flintham