Another huge day in the city of New York. This morning we took the train W110th Street to the Cathedral Parkway. We first stopped by at the Children's Sculpture Garden where animals of freedom have been sculptured by child artists ranging from kindergarden through to high school. Each year since 1985, 12 sculptures are chosen through a Public competition and placed around the ring of freedom. Next to the garden (between W110th and 113th streets) is the home of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Built in 1892, it claims to be one of the two largest Cathedrals in the world (the other one being in Liverpool). Designed as a Basilica, it was built in Gothic style and there are many stained glass windows throughout the Cathedral. There are numerous paid tours you can take ... read more

Well we did the American Football experience last night. Caught the New Jersey train to Meadowlands $11 return leaving from Penn Street station. This station is so huge if you take one wrong turn you will be lost for half a day (well it feels like that anyway). The game was good but the audience participation is even more entertaining. Lots of fun just watching the crowds. Time we arrived home it was nearing 1am - strangely it felt very safe walking the streets at this time of night. We did pass by a number of people sleeping on the streets - they were sound asleep laying on the footpath on cardboard for a bed - some had blankets - others didn't. Once again we couldn't help thinking how this could happen in America - but ... read more

Spent time chatting to one of the employees here at the hostel - she is from The Ukraine and is studying English at university here in NYC - has been here for two and a half years and loves it here although she misses her family and friends back home. All the girls that are working here are friendly and very professional. Staff are on site here from 8am until 10pm everyday and there is an emergency phone number left with guests for after hours if needed. Once agaiN I must comment on how great this place is - feel so lucky to have found this ideal place in the heart of NYC. After leaving the hostel we headed to the train to 59th street and then got onto the Roosevelt Island Tramway - this great ... read more

Our flight to New York leaves just after lunch...so we took our time to pack and repack and pack again! Such fun - not! It's that one part of a holiday that everyone despises! Rental car had to be dropped off at the National depot at Montreal Airport - all went smoothly there. Then check in and customs - takes so long o do the process - deep sigh of relief when you finally pass through all security Customs. Checked in 3 bags $90 - flying with Air Canada - we had heaps of cabin baggage with us - no problems getting through with it all...had a snack at burger king (it was either that or pay for airline food both equally as nasty). Flight to NYC was less than 1.5 hours. It was an amazing ... read more

Left Quebec City before 7am this morning - with a destination of Vermont USA being where we were heading for a day trip. Vermont was a destination we wanted to visit for 2 reasons. The first was to see the fall foliage - Vermont is number 1 in the USA to see fall at its best. The second reason was to visit the famous "Ben & Jerry's" factory in Waterbury Vermont. The drive from Quebec City to the USA border was uneventful - a good easy drive but not much in the way of scenery. Crossing over the border was no drama just a 15 minute wait as only one custom officer working at the station. After crossing the Vermont border the colours along the highway were amazing so we thought we were going to be ... read more