New York

The united flight from New Orleans to Newark was on an Embraer Jet. A small, but very fast, plane. 

It was also a very comfortable flight, I was actually asleep before we took off and only woke up when I heard the drinks service mid-flight!

As we flew into Newark, NJ the skyline of Manhattan was easy to see, as were the two beams of light shining high into the sky to mark the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. A stunning sight.

The transfer from plane to AirTrain at Newark was relatively straightforward and i soonI found myself hurtling towards Penn Station.

I was aware that New York is "the city that never sleeps" but was taken aback by the sheer number of people out & about so late in the evening.

My hotel, The Roger New York, was on Madison Avenue, about 10 mins walk from Penn Station. On the y, I found myself staring up at the Empire State Building, which was just round the corner.

However, despite my head telling me to get out there and see the sights, my legs said "no way and went on strike!

I hit the streets early the next morning, after a rather fortifying breakfast at The Roger Hotel (and numerous cups of coffee!), and enjoyed a 15 minute wander up Broadway to Times Square

I also discovered the restaurant of one of my favourite Tv chefs, Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive Ins & Dives) just off the square

I contemplated taking one of the plethora of tour buses around the city to see some of the sights, but thought that, at $40 - $60, they were a bit expensive.  I then remembered about the Staten Island Ferry, which is a free passenger ferry that allows for great views of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty.. I went to the nearest subway station bought a ticket for $2.75 found myself at the ferry terminal 15 mins later.  

Granted, the ferries don't get you as close as a tour boat, but I got the photos I wanted. After returning to the ferry terminal, I walked for around 10mins up Broadway and found myself at the site of Ground Zero. All the more poignant as I was there on the anniversary of 9/11 and the area was filled with Fire/police officers and families of those who died. 

After spending some time there, I was able to hop back onto the subway (for  another $2.75) and head back to the hotel via the Flat Iron building and Madison Park. 

The heat in New a york was pretty intense and I found myself ducking in and out of shops and restaurants just to try and cool down using their air conditioning. It is a fine art to do so without purchasing something!

So whilst I didn't get to see places like a Central Park & Brooklyn, I managed to see what I had planned to, without forking out that much money.  With a bit of planning, and if you aren't afraid of the walk, it is pretty do-able.