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Reina - Log 12 SINTER CHRISTMAS



On board Reina they invented a new kind of holiday. I call it Sinter Christmas because it is a mix of the Dutch Sinterklaas and the worldwide known Christmas. Of course everybody knows of Father Christmas, Christmas Eve, presents and the candles in the tree. Just a few weeks earlier in Holland arrives Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas). He comes from Spain with his help Zwarte Piet (Black Pete). The good Saint always brings a lot of presents for the children in Holland. Zwarte Piet delivers the gifts trough the chimney on the eve of 5 December. A day before the birthday of the good holy man. The next day Sinterklaas and his servant go back to Spain by boat.Well, to have another reason for a party on the ocean and to pleasure the two Dutchmen aboard Reina the chef invented  Sinter Christmas. She took care of a big surprise to put a Christmas tree with light on the table in the cockpit. To celebrate Sinterklaas Eve. For us Dutch a totally new event. But we loved it from the very first moment till the bites and wine were finished.Tonight in Holland, where the temperature has lowered to 3 degrees and an easterly wind brings King Winter back into the Netherlands, the children are having marzipan and hot chocolate near the chimney where all their presents are displayed. Little ones that have been sweet will get a lot of parcels, which are wrapped in special paper. The naughty ones… Ah! In Holland we only have obedient kids. Especially when The Saint is in the country they behave very well. Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet leave immediately after this special Holiday by boat back to Spain. Leaving the true believers behind with their sweets and new toys.From Reina, speeding over the Atlantic Ocean, we wish everybody a very nice Eve of Sinterklaas!

Arie Blokland


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