Well this is the start of many updates and we hope we don't bore you with all our tales and pictures!

We arrived in New York on Tuesday 10th April. The flight was just about bearable for SJ and pretty good for AK although it was long and there wasn't much to see. It was one of them huge double decker jumbo things and they make you walk through club class and business class to get to the cheap seats....they have little beds in business class so god knows what 1st class is like! Must try and blag an upgrade next time.

We jumped on the underground which they call the subway and it was full of characters. We couldn't find the hotel so after SJ threw a strop we consulted the map and found it. We have also realised that what we thought was 'minimal' stuff to bring is actually far too much and weighs a ton in your backpack (we were told though so only got ourselves to blame).

The room we are staying in overlooks ground zero. It's crazy seeing where the two towers stood and really quite poignant to think of all the lives that were lost. One thing though, the New York people are getting on with things and rebuilding and work until really late at the site. All around is reminders of people who were lost....they will never forget.

On the first night we went on a huge walk and ended up walking over the Brooklyn bridge. Loads of people run across or cycle across. AK really wanted to run it but SJ wasn't so keen! The views of the city from the bridge are amazing.

So we have been proper tourists and visited central park and Strawberry Fields memorial. We went to the Dakota building and then walked up to time square. Time square is very touristy and just a little bit crazy. We got stung for $2 by Elvis and then got the subway to Greenwich Village. SJ loved the vintage shops but was gutted that she couldn't buy anything (already have too much to carry).

We then stopped off watching the locals play basketball, they were amazing to watch, just like professionals.

In the evening we took the free ferry to Statton Island and went past the statue of liberty, she is much smaller than you think.

Thursday we went to 5th Avenue and Macy's. It was ok but I have to say I prefer my vintage and charity shops to be honest. AK was made up we didn't stay in there for ages and he escaped with his credit card in tact! He still owes SJ a birthday prezzie though so watch this space!

We walked up the avenue but it must be the 'cheaper' end as it was not as posh as I thought it would be. We went up the rockafella building all the way to the top. The views were amazing and it was quite peaceful up there away from all the hustle and bustle down below.

You can eat every kind of food you can think of and yet we ate in subway mostly! They have much more on the menu than in the UK....you can get a pizza there! And we went McDonald's to use the free wifi but we did find a nice little cafe that the locals use (always a good sign if the locals eat there including the NYPD) and had breakfast and tea there on Thursday. New Yorkers love their dogs! They all have them and they take them for walks and they all looked well kept and healthy, this is a good thing for SJ! We seen a 'doggy daycare' place where loads of dogs were sat off with toys and were chilling waiting for their owners to pick them up.

So our stay in New York is nearly over, SJ is starting off the blog in the hotel room and AK is drinking beer in a little Irish bar near the hotel......some things never change!

New York is a great place but to stay here a long time you need lots of energy! The people were quite friendly if you got talking to them and people in restaurants and shops are really polite. There is a constant buzz about the place. We would come back here again, but next time just for a holiday and with loads of money to spend in all the amazing shops,

Next stop Tennessee to see Lisa....we can't wait