Merry Christmas everyone in good old Aust! We are not quite there yet.
Today we headed off in search of groceries ... A boring mundane thing but essential with Christmas day looming. A task one would assume was simple and ad that been the case we would have done that on day one at Walmart but hmph! Cabs don't go to New Jersey and Walmart does not come to New York! Almost an impossibility but we did manage to find Duane and Reed ( named for the street corner they first opened on) and discovered it to be like a large 7 eleven and equally as pricey! As for Gluten free bahahaha!
So armed with bacon and eggs, froot loops and bread and peanut paste we headed home to drop off at the apartment. After that we divided and conquered ... Kate & Adrian on secret Christmas mission and Jack and I to collect The Rickettes tickets! While waiting for the mission duo Jacko got his photo taken with a "statue" on the street - really funny - imagine a man all silver dressed as Statue of liberty wearing sunnies and add Jack holding torch covered in US flag beside him wearing sunnies.. Cute! The street corners just up the road are littered with every character imaginable for having photo tank for donation to who knows what! Shriek, Buzz, Mickey, and the list goes on!
When we found the duo we headed off to Nintendo World which is two floors of wikis and and DS to play. Games here are $40 ( RRP) shame we are zoned differently! From there we headed to the subway and down to Cnal Street where we found a Thai/Malysian/Chinese restaurant that served the best and hugest Chicken Laksa for $5.95 - we should have ordered one between three of us..... That's how big they were - beautiful!! We have had two Chardonnays here so far and both were very nice! After a little shopping on Canal Street, we headed down to the Staten Island ferry stop where Adrian and Jack headed off to the National Museum of Native Indians and us girls did the Staten Island Ferry and got daylight looks at the Statue and the skyline!! The boys were very disappointed and the girls were happy with their views!
Home for wrapping of Christmas presents, some street caricature purchasing ng then dreaded two hours in the basement washing and drying so I could wear clothes tomorrow!!!

Managed to meet two other Aussie families in the basement ... Until today we had not heard an Aussie voice until the lunch stop I met a group of young girls from Sydney and Melbourne who'd just arrived in NY from San Fran. Never rains it pours!!!

Tomorrow sees an interesting day ahead with Christmas lunch booked at O'Donohues Irish Pub after a morning ice skating at Bryant Park and the Rockettes at 4.00pm. Maybe we will head to The Australian after the show as they are opening for the Boxing Day test. It is a pub run by an Aussie and the clubhouse for one of the two Rugby League teams in NY. There are 9 I think in this north east corner of the US. Kate missing family at Christmas tonight but I am sure tomorrow will see her a little excited about N Y again.
Goodnight from us over here and Merry Christmas and hugs and kisses for all of you!!