We arrived in New York via Greyhound from Washington and got straight on the subway when we arrived to go and find our hostel. We stayed in the Jazz on the Park hostel on 106 St West, which was literally a stone's throw from central park, hence the name of the hostel!

The hostel was ok. The good things about it were a TV lounge room where they had film nights and stuff and the bathroom facilities were good. Apart from that the rest of it wasn't great! The location is ok in that its next to central park, but its a subway away from Times Square which is on 42nd St and that is where everything happens so it would be better to stay nearer there i think. The rooms and facilities available weren't the best. A lot of things weren't working and breakfast was panse! We stayed in a 12 bed mixed dorm and the room was tight as kittens!!

First night we got there we just thought we'd stay local for some food as we couldn't be arsed trecking too far. So we just walked round where the hostel was, and after trecking through the ghetto and every restaurant looking dodgy we just decided to go into a pizzeria we were stood outside! After asking for meat on our pizza and being told they didnt sell meat, and hebrew menu's on the wall, and also some of the staff wearing kippa's on their head ... the penny still didn't drop!!!!! Then whilst eating our mushroom pizza, and being surrounded by people looking the same we then realised we had chosen to eat in a Jewish restaurant that doesn't serve meat!! Schoolboy!! Good banter tho. Having then realised where we were it was so obvious we were just all to stupid to realise lol

Second day we booked a tour with city sights which was a 2 day pass to do all your activities. First we went up the Empire State Building, which also took us a while to find despite being the tallest building in the world!!!!! We then went on a cruise boat which took us round the coast line of New York, past Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and also under the Brooklyn, Manhatten and Williamsburg bridges. Later that day we made our way to Madison Square Garden where we watched the New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs won 119 to 105 and LeBron James was class for the Cavs. He hit 50 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Our seats were dead on half court and about 10 rows from the back ... were quality! Was something i'd defo recommend to do.

Next day was Walks' birthday. Started the day with the downtown open top bus tour, and got off at the World Trade Center, then from there walked to the pier where we took the boat to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island was panse! After this we got back on the bus and proceeded uptown. Went for our dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe on Times Square which was nice. Then headed back to the hostel where we got right on the vodka ... well me an Walks did and played a poker tournament in the hostel. When we decided to go out bout half 12, we sat in the subway to go to Times Square and the trains had stopped running, so we just went back to the hostel and drank some more!

Next day we had a shopping day. Went all round 42nd St - Times Sq and Macy's etc. Then had dinner in the ESPN cafe which overlooks Time Square - also has a games room on the top floor and a load of massive screens with every sports game that is happenin at the time on!!

Weather was ok in New York. Was quite sunny 1st day, 2nd day was sunny an clear but freezing, and the last day and a half it poured down - but we'd done our sight seeing by then so it was ok.

New York is unbelievable. One of, if not the best place i've ever been to. You have to go at least once in your lifetime!!!