An opportunity came to us to spend a fortnight on the east coast of the U.S. New York City, 7pm New Years Eve, no accommodation booked. No problems.

Well it was the Big Apple so of course we found accommodation; nothing to rave about but suitable. Weather was cold; midnight was 5am Ireland time and Time Square had a million revelers in minus 2 so we celebrated in our room. Rory from work had suggested the Hotel Belleclaire in the upper west and it was perfect and groovy. We did the normal New York sights and then hoped on AMTRAK to Orlando Florida. Can't beat three good meals a day and a roomette to watch the States go by. Picked up our 7 seater in Orlando and spoilt the kids with a day at Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. The park does a really good job of amazing you but the small bank loan we took out to pay for the tickets changed the Irish economy (you may have read about this in the tabloids!!). Drove east and travelled down the condo lined east coast of Florida to Lake Worth which is a relaxed and cool holiday town. If you ever venture near, stay at the Hummingbird Hotel and say Gidday to Winston (we slept in the same room as Alphonse Gabriel (Al Capone); but at slightly different times.

Next stop, the Florida Keys and Grassy Keys (Gulf View Waterfront Resort).