Hi Everyone,

Firstly, thank you for all the messages, both via the message board and through email. It's very much appreciated. I don't feel home sick, yet, but I do miss everyone.

Ok, so our first trip to New York began last Thursday evening when we flew from Fort Lauderdale to La Guardia NY. We took a cab from the airport (yes, a yellow one) to our hotel. We stayed at The MIlford Plaza on 8th Ave & 45th. As we drove towards the hotel, I almost had a feeling of dread as there were so many people about...I mean thousands walking along the sidewalks. I almost wondered if we'd done the right thing as it was SO busy. However, it's Times Square and Broadway so you have to expect it.

The hotel was in the most fantastic position. We could see Times Square from our windows. It took around a minute to walk to it. We were surrounded by theatres all showing the top musicals that you read about. There are lights absolutely everywhere. In no time at all, I had the street system worked out. It's so much simpler than London. Just numbers. No roundabouts or bends in the road or complicated directions...simple.

We had a 3 day ticket for the Grey Line Hop on, hop off tour bus and what a fantastic way to see New York as well as being a bargain deal. The first day we went on the 'Downtown loop' which took us to all the big name places and gave us a good sense of our bearings (thanks for the tip Dawn). We've seen all the places you'd expect us to see plus seen and breathed the essence that is New York.

We didn't go for the shopping so don't ask me about that. I can tell you about souvenire shops or the M & M's store or maybe Hershey's, but not a lot else. We went for the whole tourist sightseeing experience and boy did we get it.

The weather on Friday, Sunday and Monday was perfect. High 80's and gorgeous blue skies. On Saturday though Hurricane Hanna had followed us up the east Coast and threw about 4 inches of rain at us in just a few hours. You know that scene from Singing In The Rain? Well we re-enacted it on Broadway :) We were at Pier 17 when the rain started and went to get the bus back. Of course there was a huge queue for the bus and everyone in their right minds wanted to sit downstairs. Those of us not in our right minds - or should that be adventurous? - said 'we'll brave it and sit at the top of the open top bus!'. We were duely given our rain ponchos and up we went for our full flooding experience. There were a handful of other idiots, sorry people, who joined us and within no time we were drenched....and I mean DRENCHED!!! But the nice thing about the weather here is that it's warm rain :) The bus soon had it's own on board stream and thankfully I'd worn my crocs. So as I was being deluged upon, my feet were getting a swishing spa treatment at the same time...lovely! Hysterical laughter soon hit the passengers and we laughed for miles as the rain got heavier and heavier. You'll see the effects of this trip in my photo album.

Sunday afternoon whilst walking through Central Park (as one does) we were approached by a rickshaw owner who tempted us with his tales of a magical journey through the park -which is MASSIVE- and a lift home too. How could we resist? After various stops in the park (including the John lennon tribute in Starwberry Fields) we were soon headed down through Broadway towards Times Square. What an experience. The traffic was all around us, horns and sirens everywhere and this man cycling like a demon to get us back to our hotel safely.

I could go on for hours. If you're thinking of a trip to New York, stop thinking, book it and GO!! It is so much nicer than London. It's cleaner and everyone (well, almost everyone) is friendly and helpful...just go!

Tony and I have come away with not only hours of video and hundreds of photos, but some of the most special, wonderful memories of our time in New York.

We arrived back home last night, so now I'm trying to adjust to being back in open spaces and wait....yes, you've guessed it, now Hurricane Ike is making it's presence felt! Luckily for us, it's headed out to the Gulf coast and we just have strong winds at the moment. Apparently there was rain while we were away, but that's cleared now...but it's still 90 degrees :)

Love d xx