And finally we're off...

Terminal 5 at Heathrow is fairly impressive. Unlike most terminals which seem to crowd everyone into the centre (especially the screaming kids), T5 seems to have many distributed seating areas where you can usually find a quiet spot with free public WiFi. It also has a good selection of expensive shops where you can get rid of those pesky £50 notes that clutter up your wallet. I got chatting to a lady heading to the Edinborough Fringe Festival, though we ended up by listing all the places we would like to visit. I'm not sure that this 6 month trip is going to be enough - maybe I should extend it so that I can add a few extra places.

The flight was uneventfull, which is usually a good thing. We took off in the English rain and have landed in a New York thunderstorm. I hope this is not the sign of things to come! I remember many years ago I managed to bring rain to San Diego. The suggestion from the other hotel guests was that flights from the UK trailed large nets which dragged the clouds behind the aircraft.

I nearly got riped off by the taxis again. On leaving the airport I couldn't find the puka taxi rank, so asked someone. They said that they could take me from JFK into Manhattan for $87. Fortunately, the aircrew had mentioned that the taxis to Manhattan should cast $45. I think I must have "MUG" tattooed on my forehead because I always seem to find the dodgey taxis. Fortunately, someone else pointed me in the direction of the proper taxi rank and I've made it to the hotel OK.

I'm note sure what state my body clock is in now. We are in Eastern Standard Time which is 5 hours behind the UK, so although the local time is only 8pm, based on the UK it is 1am and I've been awake for 20 hours, and yet I'm not falling asleep as I type this. Perhaps I will not get any jet lag (please, please), or perhaps I'll crash sometime tomorrow?

Anyhow, I am out of the starting blocks and have finally started my Holiday. Rest of the World, here I come.