Turn Up the Lights

There are few things more mesmerizing than bright lights. We are drawn to them like moths, wide-eyed, slack jawed and thoroughly hypnotized. And so every Christmas, we hop into the car and drive around to get our annual festive fix. The brighter the better. Can you see the lights from space? Excellent. Is all that surging electricity interfering with passing airplanes' navigational equipment? Even better. Last year--my first Christmas in Perth--was without this very important tradition. There wasn't going to be snow but why no lights?

I just wasn't looking hard enough. True, not as many homes put up strands of bulbs, tinsel and mechanical deer nodding on front lawns, but those few who do go on with a vengeance. And with good reason. Channel 7 offers a $25,000 prize for the best display. None of this 'bragging rights' or chest beating superiority that you get back home. They play for all the marbles here. So we went for a drive.

But not random cruising. You won't find much that way. House addresses are posted online with the occasional handmade sign pointing the way from a main thoroughfare. One street, Consulate Court in Thornlie, held particular appeal. As if it were a scene straight out of "Christmas With The Kranks", almost every house in the cul-de-sac had an impressive display (the noticeable holdout was at the beginning of the street.) All gawkers were on foot. It was the only way to keep people moving.

We started taking an unofficial tally of St. Nick's mode of transportation. The variety of vehicle: sleigh, car, bicycle, motorcycle, helicopter, hot air balloon, surfboard, teeter totter and rocket ship.

You might ask if trolling for electric thrills isn't the same without the enhancing effects of reflective white snow, seeing your breath as you exhale and sucking on icicles broken off bushes. Well, the Doctor is in. The Doctor--a cool breeze off the Indian Ocean--provided enough of a chill to make believe. Have I mentioned that I just love Christmas lights?