On 6 December 2014, Mikolaj - Polish for Santa Claus - made a late morning stop in Mt Maunganui. He said he regularly researches the internet to find out where Polish children around the world attend Saturday or Sunday schools, and plans his journey accordingly. Mt Maunganui had stood out for lots of great activities, so he decided to make it one of his first stops on this year's trip.
Mikolaj arrived with a big sack of presents, but first wanted to have a chat with the children before handing over gifts. He was greeted with a song, Dzien Dobry, before getting a chance to ask the children whether they had been well behaved and also serious about learning Polish. He asked them their name and age, and tested whether they were able to count to ten in Polish. Of course all children had been good, or at least they credibly assured so, but not all children were able to answer his questions. Some were so scared of this big, bearded man that they even forgot their names. However, Santa generously gave presents to all of them regardless. Before he left to continue his itinerary the children sang him a song for good-bye, Do Widzenia.
The event continued with home-made sweet and savoury delicacies for the children and adults.
Mikolaj arrived with a big sack of presents, but first wanted to have a chat with the children before handing over gifts. He was greeted with a song, Dzien Dobry, before getting a chance to ask the children whether they had been well behaved and also serious about learning Polish. He asked them their name and age, and tested whether they were able to count to ten in Polish. Of course all children had been good, or at least they credibly assured so, but not all children were able to answer his questions. Some were so scared of this big, bearded man that they even forgot their names. However, Santa generously gave presents to all of them regardless. Before he left to continue his itinerary the children sang him a song for good-bye, Do Widzenia.
The event continued with home-made sweet and savoury delicacies for the children and adults.
Teacher Magdalena James and the 15 children present at Mikolaj's visit to Mt Maunganui.
