First Christmas

This was our first Christmas in Australia and we have tried to keep things as Australian as possible, although neither of us was wlling to try surfing in a Santa suit, like our friend above.

We asked at work and everyone said that the big Christmas meal here was a seafood lunch, normally at the beach.  We went to our local fishmonger and asked what most people had for the Christmas meal, so we ordered the recommended prawns and oysters...1 kg of prawns and 1 dozen oysters for two people!  In our defence, we were also told that we should eat so many prawns that we make ourselves sick, so the 1 kg seemed like it should fit the bill.  We didn't get sick, but neither of us has a hankering for any more prawns at the moment.

A number of shops are open here on Christmas day, including the bakery and the grocery store.  We made about three trips to the shops today, since we wanted the people who were working to feel needed.  We are sure they now feel much better about working on the holiday.

The other thing that many people do is go out for the Christmas meal.  We might have been able to find a place to go, but it seemed like everywhere had been booked weeks in advance.  Typically the menu was a 3 - 5 course seafood tasting menu, with or without wine, for anywhere from $85 to $200 (including wine) per person.  For two people those prices are not too bad for a special meal, but we can't imagine a family of 8 going out for that kind of meal!

Tomorrow there are big Boxing Day sales, plus the Ashes start up again in Melbourne (a very big deal here and in England the motherland).  Lots of restaurants are closed from tomorrow until mid-January or Australia Day (Jan 26) so the holiday is really just beginning. 

Our office is closed until January 4, so we are looking forward to a break from work and a chance to take a trip or two to the coast.  Merry Christmas everyone!