Well. An interesting start to our adventures. Remembered only after boarding the plane, quite the extent of my extreme fear of flying. This was not helped by Tim the pilot anouncing half way to the runway that the plane had been struck by lightening 3 days earlier and was now malfunctioning. Thank you Tim, really! Over an hour and a half of repairs (including nose cone removal no less) later we were on our way. A very bumpy flight and landing did nothing to ease the stress. American customs were as we had been warned - pretty horrendous. Having finally being accepted into the country (just) we awaited very delayed airport transer from sweaty man in sweaty van with not 4, not 6, but 8 other tourists being crammed in along the way.

Finally arrived in beautiful hotel and New York did not disappoint. AMAZING does not even come close. Totally surreal experience for all senses and a city I could happily set up home in tomorrow. Did the obligatory trips to see the green lady in the harbour and up to the 'top of the rock' (erfeller centre, sorry center - whatever) and walked for many miles in what turned out to be flipflops with spikes in them. Central Park was beautiful and enormous. Amazing food on every corner and was a complete tourist with innane grin for most of the (almost) 2 days!