I am writing this from a 6 hour coach down to Washington DC.We have been very lucky and got one of the newer greyhound coaches.It has leather seats and extra leg room. I cant wait to see one which manages to have even less.Most importantly though it has power sockets and free wifi.Its quite empty so we have been able to grab two seats each.Mills has taken full advantage of this and is fast asleep which is good as he didn't sleep much the first few nights due to the socialising and the heating.Or at least that is his excuse.I think it is because instead of sleeping he likes to stay up and solve mysteries.If there was anything confusing from the day before he will have the answer in the morning.Last night he solved the mystery of why the hostel had got more expensive for no reason

The coach itself is being driven by a very amusing individual who rather fancies himself as a stand up comedian.He is doing quite a good job of it. "Remember people rest stops are 10 minutes.If you're not back then the bus did not leave you.You left the bus.I want someone to be late so I can put it on my facebook status…"

On Tuesday an early night was planned as we hit the ground running, literally charging around NY all day in the rain.We were completely soaked when we finished.We walked through a very snowy central park and then hopped onto the subway to Wall Street where we found ground zero.Nothing could get us ready to the size of the place nor the amount of building work going on there.We headed back uptown through China Town and Little Italy then headed back to the hostel.

Once back we met two new room mates called Mat and Bevon from Melbourne.The early night was scrapped (we have found that the local corner shop sells 2.5 pint bottles of larger for $3!!)We played a few relaxed drinking games, found some obscure places for the little green man and made many trips back to the local shop (by the last day our group qualified for a discount) .A couple of other Australians joined us (Ali and Tom) who bought everyone a few more crates which meant that when the social areas closed down we still had much more partying to do.Our group headed over to central park and we finished up on the steps going in (see facebook pic).After falling over a bit to much in the ice we decided to head back to the hostel and after talking to a few of the people who worked there found a roof bar we could hang out a bit longer before hitting the sack.

Thursday was hangover day for all but none the less we were up for our free breakfast at 9 and out the door.We walked all the way down from our hostel on 106 west street, stopping at the natural history museum, then all the way down through Broadway to Times Square which is very impressive.After hanging our there for a bit we went to the Empire State building which was insane.Since it was a clear day we went up to the 86th floor, the view is stunning and definitely worth seeing.We stayed up there in the cold until sundown so we could see New York at night.This was probably one of the most incredible things I have ever seen in my life (pics on facebook).To top it all off we bumped into Matt and Bevon there as well.

Before going back to the hostel we went back downtown and had a look at the Statue of Liberty from Battersea park then made our way up through the financial district to locate some cheap food.After coming across Wall Street famous bull we eventually settled for a steak house which wasn't too expensive.That evening there was a bar crawl arranged but we really did need to get some sleep so went to bed early. Most people got back about 2 ish except Matt who stumbled into us in the corridor at 1030 the next morning (well played matt).

We had originally planned on leaving on Thursday but we really hadn't looked into anything yet so decided to stay another night.We went out again in the morning and the extra day was definitely worth it as we found not just fun stuff to do but cheap as well.

I left mp3 player-less after failing to solder a new battery into my old one correctly.Out of the blue on the day a left my wonderful parents gave me a leaving card with enough dollars in to get a new one.This meant that after checking out the Lego shop next to the Rockefeller and playing on the Wii's at Nintendo world we went to the Apple Store.This place has to be seen to be believed.Located under ground with the entrance a giant glass cube with an apple inside (much like some sort of temple) there is every apple product in every colour for you to play on as much as you want.After a few games I took my sexy new Nano to the "Bar" to pay when I found that I had left my debit card in the hostel locker.

We headed back to the hostel again to do a bit of planning for the next two weeks thenwe, Matt, Bevon, Ali and Tom went to McGees pub, the inspiration for MacLarens from how I met ur mother.We all ate there till we looked heavily pregnant then all went back to the apple store this time with my debit card.Next to another bar to watch ice hockey players fight then back to the hostel, where beer was not $7.50 a pint, to watch Ali loose spectacularly at a drinking game called ride the bus.

This morning we got up and sorted the packs out after breakfast.We down to the basement with the others to sort out hostels and bus terminals.They are heading to long island today and as mentioned us to DC.We never actually booked a hostel but we will worry about that in a few hours.Downstairs was a Brazilian chap that annoyingly had it all.Good looks, a fantastic voice and unbelievable skills on the accordion.He entertained us and played requests (for the girls) till we left.I will stick a video on fb at some point.

So that was New York.We saw some call stuff and met some amazing people.We did what you were supposed to do in New York.We also went to central park at night, the subway at night and Harlem at night so I guess we did the things we were not supposed to do.Now don't want this to turn into Marcus's critical travel guide to America but over all we were not bowled over by New York.It was very impressive all over but also far to expensive and quite claustrophobic.I guess its one of those places which is in so many films, books and on TV that you have an unrealistic expectation if it.However I did love the people in New York.They were all super friendly and keen to help but not a creep way.

If you do go to New York avoid everything touristy apart from the empire state building.Get there fist thing with warm clothes and a nice comfy fold out chair. Have fun listening to the security guards at the x-ray machine compete to see who is best at identifying objects in Olli's back (is it an apple or an orange?) then stay up there all day till it closes at night.Do not go to the Statue of liberty as it is much smaller then expected and you shall feel cheated - just look at it from the park.Make sure you go to the apple store where you can stay for free, play games and use their internet.The next morning go to the Lego shop and then play some Wii for free in the Nintendo store.Do go to McGees because the food is good and the place has a fun atmosphere.Now run with little money you have left.Oh and if you want massive bottles of beer for 3 dollars then we store we found them on is located on West 106th street between Manhattan Ave and Amsterdam Ave.