Day 3 New York, New York

It was off to New York, on the 9.10 Metro North commuter train from the burbs.  And, like the debonair Don Draper, Lach was enjoying a coffee and reading the NY Times.

We arrived into Grand Central Station, took the obligatory selfie and then walked to our hotel to dump the bags.

The rest of the day was spent in chaotic fashion which goes against the Mackebzie creed but was amazing none the less.

We met Batman.

Added pretzels to our diet.

Met George M Cohan 

and gave our regards to Broadway.

Best of all, had cheeseburgers in the Lexington Candy Store and met a guy who had been dining there for 70 years.  I finally had an egg cream after wondering for years what they would taste like.  The answer - very weird.  Soda water, chocolate syrup and milk.  No eggs but 100 years of tradition.

At the end of the day, it was back to the hotel for a beer.  

Day 2 Shoppin' till we was droppin'

The girls and I woke up at 4.30am thanks to jetlag.  After several cuppas and an online chat to the sistas, Rosie and I went out in the dawn's early light to check out the local scene at 6.30am in Scarsdale.  Hardly anyone about except a squillion squirrels scurrying about, busy collecting their acorns for Winter.

After a great breakfast and catch up over the kitchen table, it was off to Woodbury Common, the mother of all shopping malls.

Once again, we were lucky to drive on a beautiful, old parkway, resplendent in native trees, beginning to turn gold for the Fall.

We shopped for 7 hours and had a wonderful time with Taylor and our patient guide, Cheryl.

We lunched at Applebee's. 

And dad, we discovered where the world's supply of Aramis has been stockpiled.

A lovely BBQ back at Casa Fry capped  off a great day.  It's off to NYC tomorrow.

Day 1 Scarsdale

Well, after a day of flights that took us from Radelaide to JFK, two questions remain:  

(1) How did the chick in seat 66B get First Class meals (on real crockery I might add) delivered to her whilst the rest of us were delving into itty bitty boxes of undefinable this and that?  Her fillet steak with steamed veggies definitely had a touch of the Neil Perry's about it which I can't say for my mushroom 'n mac cheese which I think was delivered from Spotless Catering....

(2) Does a queue of people lurking around the bathroom waiting for their turn and doing some stretches constitute (what is now an illegal) congregation?  It's against US law to stand in a group on a plane now.  Hell, footy trips on their way to end of season shenanigans better be careful.  Standings around drinking free warm beer in plastic cups might get you arrested.

Anyhoo, an uneventful flight is what we all aspire to and that is what we got so all was well.  A slight Mags type panic when I thought I had lost my phone but once found, we were good to go.

Got into LAX like zombies but a triple, frappe, chocca, mocca, vanilla concoction perked up The Teenager.

And a cuddle from dad and a plain bagel from Starbucks for Rose.

An airport pickup from and old friend was a luxury and an hour later we were warmly welcomed into their lovely home in Sacrsdale.

Although the sun was setting, we got our first glimpse of the Manhattan skyline, the Empire State Building instantly recognisable.  I don't know if it was sleep deprivation, or not being able to share all of this with mum but I do believe I teared up as I saw it in the distance.  And then a sighting of the Corona Park Unisphere totally put me in heaven (well, Queens).

The drive took us on the Bronx River Parkway, a beautiful tree lined stretch of road that was opened to traffic in 1925.

After some lovely healthy, fresh food, the jetlag was kept at bay by watching the Grandfinal replay.  Our battle against fatigue was far more successful than the Swannies battle against the Hawks.

So it's off to bed we go and onto Woodbury Common tomorrow - a shopping mall that makes Marion or DFO look like the corner store.

We're leaving today.....

We've made it to the airport, bleary eyed and sleep deprived but excited none the less.  The bags almost didn't fit in the taxi  but thank goodness for that 'ole bit of Aussie ingenuity - the occy strap (is occy short for something?)

The kids are having a farewell hash brown at Hungry Jacks (because they won't get enough fried potato products in the US) and Lach has gone to find them.  

Boarding now.

I wanna wake up in the city that never sleeps.....

8 more sleeps......

Start spreading the news

Well folks, 11 sleeps to go and we are taking the Flying Kangaroo Express (well not really as we have to fly via Sydney), to the Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps, the home of the Lady of Liberty.

I think I am more excited than anyone.  We have instituted a fine jar for Lach.  Every time he complains about inevitable queues, wobbling Americans and Disneyland, he can donate a dollar into the shopping fund.  

We are all set to go bar the packing.  Cases have been located and dusted, adapters purchased for all the gadgets and Lonely Planets are bookmarked and well read.

A trip is defined as a journey or excursion taken mainly for pleasure or fun.  Well, this little family needs some of that so we can't wait.

Here endeth my test post.