We opted for open windows instead of noisy air con, but I was never going to get a good night's sleep as the biological clock wanted me up at 3 am and with noise of the traffic and passers by didn't help. However it was another bright sunny morning but the forecast was for thunderstorms so we packed our waterproofs.

We decided to explore southern Manhattan today. Taking the subway to near Brooklyn Bridge where there were some great views across the river. We then had a bit of trouble locating the walkway to walk across Brooklyn Bridge but were directed by a very friendly ex Londoner who was directing traffic. The walk across the Bridge is the touristy thing to do, but the views are somewhat spoilt by the suspension girders of the bridge. Coming off the bridge we found ourselves heading towards the new Trade Centre buildings and the memorial grounds of 9/11, with the twin reflection pools which were quite spectacular and worth a visit. The area is close to Wall Street, the stock exchange and a few other famous buildings and a famous bronze bull statue near where Graham found his first New York geocache.

We wandered down to the southern tip of Manhattan to Battery Park where various tour companies were trying to sell trips to see the Statue of Liberty. Luckily my guide book recommended the Statin Island trip with iconic views of the Manhatten Island skyline and Statue
Of Liberty. It was recommended as being the best value trip on account of it being free. The ferry was full of tourists who take the free ride just to take photos and then get the next ferry back again. We did at least stay and have our lunch there on the quiet promenade where there was a new 9/11 memorial for those of Statin Island who had died. There had obviously been a memorial service there the day before as a van arrived to remove all the beautiful pots of flowers which adorned the site . It was a poignant reminder of how every part of the city must had lost so many people.

We got the ferry back and walked along the south west tip to the Hudson River promenade, with its pleasant parks, looking for a couple of geocaches before heading back through the metropolis to the subway. There subway seems quite efficient , it's a bit scruffier than the London Underground and does't seem to be so busy and I did notice our skin colour is very much the minority and I probably wouldn't use it at night but otherwise it's fine.

We got back to our little studio apartment before a heavy rain shower. The threatened thunderstorms hadn't come but it had been mostly cloudy and very warm all day. We decided to go for a run around Prospect Park which is a smaller version of Central Park but in Brooklyn. It was Saturday evening and everyone uses the park for partying, I presume because lots of people live in apartments with no outside space. There was just so much going on despite the rain showers.The car free road around the park has a 2 lanes for runners and 2 lanes for bikes, how organised was that?
We headed out to the local street full of restaurants and cafes trying to make a decision on where to eat just as a torrential downpour hit so the lucky nearby Italian got our custom.