4 February 2007 - It's so cold even the Brass monkeys are outside crying....

So, my last day of travelling before i return home to Essex and rejoin the real world. I'm actually really looking forward to going home, i can't wait to have a bath and watch some Only Fools and Horses on UK Gold while drinking a nice cup of tea with a couple of custard creams....text book.

I was quite sad to leave the Cook Islands last week, had such a good time there and made some good friends.....but i knew I'd be coming to New York, my second favourite place in the world, so it made it much more bearable. First i had a stopover in LA where i arrived in the afternoon on Wednesday, so i made my way to Hollywood where i was staying the night before i left for New York. Didn't have much time in LA so just went for a wander around Hollywood and down to the Walk of Fame, just wanted a photo of the Frank Sinatra star and managed to find it without much difficulty.....he's a legend!

I went to bed quite early as i had an early flight to New York the next day, a nice 5 hour flight across the whole of America. While i was waiting at LAX i saw someone that looked like Rob Trujillo, the bassist from Metallica. When i saw him again sitting in first class i knew it was definitely him....couldn't believe i was on the same flight as someone from Metallica, one of my favourite bands ever! When we arrived in New York and was waiting for our baggage i saw him again so i went up to him, shook his hand and told him i loved his band.....he shook my hand and said thanks, i nearly cried.....

New York was off to a good start already!! When i arrived i jumped in a taxi and headed for Astoria, Queens where i was staying with Jean, a family friend for the weekend before i flew home to England on Monday Feb 4th. After a couple of days heavy travelling i crashed in bed at 9 o'clock. The next day i headed into Manhattan for a long wander....went to Central Park, 5th Avenue, Time Square, 34th Street. I pretty much walked all day and seeing how cold it is in New York i needed to! I got back home to Queens in the evening as i was heading out that night with Ray, the son of the lady i was staying with. We went into Manhattan for a couple of drinks then met a couple of his friends from Chicago before we went off to a club. Had a really good night a crawled into bed around 3am!

The next day the whole family was round for a big breakfast of waffles, omelet, bacon, sausage and coffee.....amazing! It was even colder yesterday than the day before so headed down to the Museum Mile to go to the Metropolitan....it was absolutely packed there so headed down to the Guggenheim but it was even busier there! I headed down to Time Square again for a long stroll around Virgin Megastore....amazing! Jean's other son Ernie had a band that were playing in a club in Manhattan so i was put on the guest list and headed down there at 7ish to see his band play. They were on at 8 and the place was packed, must have been 250 people there and they were pretty good! Anyone who has time, check out www.myspace.com/thearsons. After they played i headed off back to Queens as i was completely shattered!

So, my last day in New York today.....sad day. I seem to love this place more every time i come here! Gonna go down to Union Square today and then to the Lower East Side where CBGB used to be and get a photo of Joey Ramone place.....what a legend! Tonight we're off for Dinner and then an early night as the taxi is picking me up at 4.30am for my flight at 7.30am.....harsh!

Next stop..........Essex!!!!