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So I'm off. Tomorrow morning I fly out to New York for a month of determined feasting.

• Who makes the better pizza: John's or Grimaldi's?
• Is it possible to eat an entire 10-inch high Reuben from Carnegie Deli?
• Could a Gray's Papaya hotdog really change my life?
• And exactly how much can I eat before I outgrow my belt?

All these questions and more will be answered as your intrepid food reporter goes abroad.

I am sure I will find myself spending some time in an internet cafe along the way, so there should be a couple of updates along the way, although I'm not sure about the feasibility of uploading photos. Of course the trusty camera will be travelling with me everywhere and photos will be taken. Thousands, I'm sure.

In the interim, I leave you with photos from a dedicated Christmas fanatic's home in Lugarno, Sydney. Its owner, Peter Olsen, has consistently decorated his home with Christmas lights and due to a professed desire to "spend more time with the grandkids" this year's display will be his last.



This was the first time we'd visited the display, and as we neared Maple Street, we wondered if we'd find it. That's when the giant bigger-than-a-billboard sign came into sight "Welcome to Maple Street".

Wow. Then we wondered how we'd know which house it was. Silly question. I wouldn't doubt if this home was visible from outer space. We exclaimed in unison as we came over the crest and 86,000 bright lights spectacular beckoned in the distance. It was bigger than Vegas.



The crazy but kindly folk even allow you to climb up the steep steps of their driveway (think 60 degree incline steep) and check out their front front which is over-run with all things Christmassy. A dozen Santas in various sizes, snowmen, a Christmas train track and a complete nativity scene with life-size moving characters and nodding lambs aplenty.



The giant champagne glass out the front is six metres (18 feet) high and although I'm not usually one to go gaga at Christmas, well this kind of craziness just brings out the inner wow'ing kid in you.

Sydneysiders should check out the display whilst they can, and don't forget your $2 donation as well. All proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Olsens hope to surpass the AU$112,000 raised last year.

Merry Christmas!

Cheers,
Helen