New York City was my first step - first port-of-call on my round the world adventure.

A slap in the face 'New York Style' for the inexperienced traveller, fresh off the plane from London UK - with only a half eaten packet of Oreo biscuits a few dollar bills and an old and tatty subway map to his name.

First mistake - embarking on my first ever NYC subway ride at Grand Central Station! I was lost in seconds! So many platforms accessed by just as many tunnels and passageways! I passed the same Bagel store three times before I accepted I was hopelessly lost! I swear the armed guards swarming through the buildings had their eye on me - even if they were laughing! Eventually I found my way down into the subway - but my problems didn't end there, oh no! I spent the next hour or so going round in circles this time on the trains! Beware all of you who frequent the London tube system - NYC trains dont run in opposite directions either side of the platform - it took me a while to figure that out too!

Realising that I had cocked up somewhere along the line, I decided to give it one more try before heading top-side and paying for a cab! Luckily for me I made it (with all my stuff) to HI New York (103rd at Amsterdam Ave)

New York is a fantastic city, so much to see and do. I recommend a trip up the Empire State building - I went up about an hour before sunset on my first evening and didn't have to queue at all! Watching the sun setting over the Hudson River was awesome and slowly watching the lights of the city come on! Try a trip up there on your last day - pick out all the places you've been to. Staten Island ferry is free, and takes you right by Liberty stuck out in the bay - worth a ride. As well as Walking down Wall Street at closing time and exploring Pier 17. Some of my favourite pictures of New York were taken in and around Times Square at night - its a sight you just have to see, the lights, the taxis, the noise...

Times Square Information Centre is the place to go for up to date information about whats on and where to go. You can also get your hands on tickets, the city pass and post stuff home! Not only that, but there is free internet access to if you need to check your mail. Perhaps most importantly there are WC's - something that is not always easy to find in NYC!