New York City. Magical New York City took our breathe away. We almost didn't make it there due to ridiculous border crossings but never the less we did after tracking down a cab at the border crossing and jumping a few queues. A round of applause for Chantelle and Jacquetta for choosing a hotel in a fabulous location. Snug between Little Italy, Soho and Chinatown. We exchanged very brief and rushed hellos to Trent, Chantelle, Jacquetta and Steve when we arrived because Trent thrust into our hands Aidan's early 30th birthday present. Tickets to the Tori awarding winner show 'The Boy from Oz', starting in under 2 hours. A quick shower, change and contemplation over how to work the subway system we somehow made it on time to the show. We all walked out holding our heads high, proud to be ozzies and lay claim to the brilliant performer (and very nice on the eyes) Hugh Jackman. If we weren't dazzled enough by the show we were soon giddily dazzling when we followed the crowds out of theatre to be smack bang in the middle of Times Square and its billion flashing neon lights. I think we stood with our mouths open and eyes cast up, turning in a circle in the middle of one of the most crowdest streets on earth for a good minute or two. We were pretty excited so there should be some interesting photos from this moment when we bit crazy with the camera and poses. Well we had given Chantelle and Jacquetta a loud applause for finding such a great hotel until... we arrived home on Saturday night to be welcomed by the doof doof sounds vibrating through a room from the nightclub below us (which none of us obviously noticed there when we checked-in in broad daylight). Next day we hit the pavement at a fairly reasonable hour considering we bounced along to the music below until it stopped sometime after dawn. Our first place of call was one of the most popular sites to visit in New York, The Metropolitian of Museum of Art. Wow what a place - huge. Alongside some fabulous art we got to see here (including a couple of huge Jackson Pollock's), the building itself is gorgeous and the roof top garden is an awesome view of the city, looking over Central Park. Central Park was next and as it was a Sunday it was pretty busy with lots of people doing there thing whether it be playing baseball, sunbaking, cycling, jogging there were lots of people and lots of space. I can't believe how big it is. We visited the Strawberry Fields sung about in John Lennon's song. From the fields we could also see the building in which he lived - very nice!! From here we walked along West Avenue admiring the beautiful old buildings. I really can't believe how many beautiful old buildings are still in existence in New York City, it really does add to its charm. Just in case our legs hadn't done enough walking for the day yet we did a bit of a walking tour to spot some of the key sites in NYC. The Public Library (well the gardens surrounding it), Rockafella Centre & the plaza where the ice-rink would be if it wasn't the middle of summer, Saks & Radio City Music Hall. Then to the nearest grocery store to pick up some beer to help us rejuvenate at the hotel before we head out again for the evening. Yep you can buy beer at any corner store/grocery shop!! The plan for the night was Mexican and some Jazz. Well that was the plan, until Jacquetta found a find she wouldn't let us forget about. Happy Hour until 11.00 pm at a Mexican restaurant which included $3 Margerittas. MMM very nice but ooops lost track of time and by the time we got to the Jazz venue the music was over. All our legs and feet were a little sore from the ridiculous amount of walking we had done the day before but that wasn't going to stop us. First stop was to walk across Brooklyn Bridge to marvel at the achitecture of this huge bridge and enjoy the view of NYC from the bridge. We then walked along Wall Street through the Financial District. Everywhere we marvelled an the 'hugeness' (not sure if that is a word) of the buildings and their beautiful achitecture. At the end of Wall Street we reached the World Trade Centre site. A huge site that now looks like a large construction site. With all the debris removed, road traffic flowing and shops open around the area I didn't find it to be too much of a 'sombre' experience with so much hussle and bussle around. Don't get me wrong it is still a shocking site. Next on the list was a visit to Liberty Island. Which a meant a long wait in queues. I guess it was to be expected considering it was the first weekend that the Statue could be visited since Sept 11. 01 and we were in peak tourist season. Is everything in this city huge? The statue of Liberty is mind bogglingly massive. I don't recall all the statistics but whoa its big. Our plan was to visit the Empire State Building at twilight which meant we could afford a quick clean up, beer and a NY style pizza (super thin, super huge) and buffalo wings. We arrived at the Empire State Building with around 30 minutes to spare before twilight but little did we know that we would be queuing in the basement for the better part of 1 1/2 hours before we even got close to looking out a window. I'm sure it was a much grander entrance to the viewing platform in an Affair to Remember. I am also sure they had a lot more privacy from up there too than what we did. Never mind the view from the top was spectacular with all the lights of the city on. Once again - wow what a big big big city. It just doesn't end. By the time we got down from the top it was hitting close to midnight and ooops we forgot to eat again. This seems to be a regular habit of ours in NY. Too many other things to do and see. Arhh, our last day in NY. Today's plan is to be a relaxed one, with some meandering around the beautiful tree-lined and funky Greenwich Village (I am sure this is where Carrie Bradshaw lives). But not before we fill up our groaning empty stomachs at one of NY's diners with a huge well-deserved breakfast. And last but not least we sneak in a little bit of shopping in before we bid our fond farewells to New York City (and the clan).