Richard And Jo Demeester's photos

Ascending to the top of the frame was not in the agenda. Although at 150 metres it did promise grand views, we found the concept and construction more interesting in its own right.

There appears to be a bit of a revival in interest in "Old Dubai", and now there are some areas that feel a bit manufactured and lack authenticity. However, some pockets feel nicely restored and genuine, paying legitimate homage to what Dubai may once have been. We spent a few nights in a gorgeous little boutique accommodation in Al Fahidi, allowing us to wend and wind through the old streets and markets after the majority of tourists had made their way back to their new town hotels.

Paid vantage points were pricey, We may have had a long wait, but it was free.

Assumption: nobody was disappointed. We were blown away, having never experienced fireworks like this. Somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes, augmented with lasers and drones.

Jo looks up at the worlds tallest building. We camped out for a good portion of the day, staking out a little patch for watching the NYE show. Being a public thoroughfare, the police came along and asked everyone to stand, and we dutifully obeyed. Equally, as people sat on the ground again, we joined them. We were endeavouring to add weight to the protest against the meaningless requests. Eventually, authorities gave up, when the crowd was large, the majority with their behinds on the ground. We had certainly secured an excellent free vantage point, but perhaps we did not need to be quite so early. It was a long wait.

Dinner with Dirk and Marlene, who agreed to join us for a meal that many may call cliched. Don't care. We wanted schweinshaxe and schnitzel. Dirk and Marlene represent another multi-decade friendship. Pauper backpackers in Greece, Dirk was in the same hostel as we had chosen in Thessaloniki. Soon after, he visited us in Melbourne. And again, a few years later, when he and Marlene honeymooned in Australia. Now, we visit and re-visit them in Germany, both here and in their previous home in Mainz.

While the trees are still up, I feel like it's still Christmas.

In the historic heart of Frankfurt's Altstadt. The pre-Christmas chaos has settled, and the city feels calm.

Scene over the Main river as we made our way from the train station to our hotel in Frankfurt.

Each day of our "gathering" saw food responsibility land on a different cohort. We, or more precisely, Jo, got Christmas day. This did not involve her preparing and doing it all. Perhaps it was more of a designation of prime coordinator and responsibility. What was on the table came from all those present, and showed a representation from many parts of the world. Here are most of us. Myself and Jo need no introduction. Annett and Adam, the absolute best hosts in the world. The former representing Germany, her town, her region, her country. The latter an ambassador for truth, community, understanding, and fun. Opening up the Kerkermeister accommodation for us all, and creating such a beautiful atmosphere of joy and celebration for the near-on-a-week get-together was a great blessing. More than 20 years has passed since we first crossed paths with Adam in Hanoi. Since that encounter, we have met on many occasions in a variety of countries on 4 different continents. This friendship with the two of them is one we especially love and cherish. Ann and Charlie sit towards the front. Ann directs dumpling production, being one of the world's leading producers of high quality Chinese food. Charlie never lets the language barrier stop him from smiling, laughing, and participating in it all, augmenting his stories with pictures and charades and occasional Google translation help. They are Melburnians, and although our relationship with them was ignited by Adam, they are truly in our special friends circle. Abbey and Hannah , their delightful daughters. So many laughs we had, especially when the games came out. My goodness, the plots these two seemingly sweet lasses are capable of, Due to the awesome time, I now feel we can say they are friends, elevated from being the children of friends! To the right, Mariia and Matvii, mother and son, displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. Circumstances leave them far from home away from family and friends. Annett and Adam now form part of their new friendship circle. Absent from the photo due to juggling multiple engagements: Grace and James, siblings. Grace is involved in the ministry with Annett and Adam, and James was visiting his sister. They dropped in and out during the meal, and whipped up a mean tiramisu.

The day was not hectic. Abbey and Hannah went ice skating, and the rest of us pottered at times. A walk around town, a game, or just snacking, drinking, and laughing. Charlie is a talented artist, and he whipped a couple of small watercolours out. He seemed truly in his happy place.

Pausing for a moment and a memory, as we scurry between kitchen and pasta prep room.

Not your traditional Christmas Fair, but the "Italians" were in charge of lunch. Since we are, in reality, "psuedo" Italian, traditional Italian Christmas food was not fore-front of mind. We did what we knew we could do well. Any gaps and lacking of traditional Christmas treats would be filled by other courses.

It may have been dark, and it may have been cold, but it was Christmas Day. Clear skies kept the temperature low, but equally kept the snow and rain away. In front of the church, carols filled the air with a joyous atmosphere. The brass band played with enthusiasm and gusto with the magnificent decorated tree as their backdrop. Let's join together and remember that Christ came to earth for us.

Not sure if this friendly cat at Mödlareuth was of East or West German heritage, or perhaps his ancestors were one of the families that was divided by the frontier. Now, this little ambassador bounces around accompanying rugged up visitors who brave the weather. Here, he explains the role of the tower behind him, at a gate and checkpoint along the former border.

Mödlareuth was once colloquially known as Little Berlin. A small community, it was divided for over 40 years by the East-West German border. Initially a fence, but ultimately a wall, the little divided village was an oddity, more-so than even Berlin. Even during the period that the border was active, it was a tourist attraction, as people from the West came to see the extent the East was going to in order to keep their citizens in. Now, a small section of wall remains, some towers and other infrastructure alongside, to preserve the memory of a weird segment of German history. The nearby museum is certainly an interesting visit, with Jo deeply engrossed in every story and photograph.

Hannah and Abbey with Jo, at the Zwickau Christmas market. All the way from Melbourne, to join us for a Christmas like no other. Well, not alone, Ann and Charlie (Mum and Dad) of course, and all hosted by very good mutual friends who are the centre of this gathering in this nook of Germany.