Go, Go, Go: A Whistlestop Tour of New York

While we were in Philadelphia, we took the opportunity to go for a day trip to New York, a mere 2 hour bus ride away for a bargain $12 return. The coach journey there was great and we arrived into the bustling metropolis at around 10.30, ready for a coffee. We actually met up with a local, a friend of Mike's who was kind enough to point out some of the sights and help us get our bearings in the hustle and bustle of the city in the muggy heat.

Within the first hour or so we had ticked off the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, and Times Square. A quick photo opportunity for each and we were off to the next thing, conscious that one day was nowhere near long enough to spend in this marvellous place.

A lunch date with another local and we were off to briefly see Central Park, the size of which was almost unfathomable. I think you could have fitted the city of London in about 3 times over or something ridiculous. Apart from food and a day pass for the subway, which was incredibly similar to the Tube, we spent no money at all there. The afternoon free return ferry ride to Statten Island which afforded wonderful views of that iconic skyline and the Statue of Liberty was the best bargain of the whole week.

After a lightening speed dash around town, we got a pizza in Little Italy, saw the very edge of SoHo, and Chinatown and then had to find where we were meant to be to catch the coach back. There were no signs to tell us that we were in the right place and after asking several unhelpful people, one of which tried to convince us to take her coach for $10, (er, no) we were pointed in the direction of the woman who was 'running' the show. She spoke very little English and had even less patience. After ignoring me twice, I asked her whether this was the right place to wait for the Philadelphia bus and was answered with yes, yes, yes. It seemed she had an affliction which meant she could only say one word at a time and had to repeat it three times. Maybe it was for good luck. After witnessing the shambles that was the coach to Washington DC, involving pointing to a bus across the street and shouting DC, DC, DC; to which numerous people were then expected to run across two busy roads with their luggage lest they got left behind and had to spend more time with the crazy coach woman; she, and us, needed luck.

Our turn finally came - we knew that as she shouted Phil-delph and then stood at the doorway checking tickets, which she couldn't appear to read or fathom. Still, we made it on to the coach and when everyone had eventually piled on, she shouted at the driver, GO, GO, GO and we were off. The coach, which smelt strongly of chemical toilets and made a sharp bleeping noise every minute, somehow made it's way through the rush hour streets and we watched the sun set over New York, happy to have crammed in so much, and yet again, unable to believe our luck that we had finally got to visit.