It was only about three/four years ago that I was out here hitting all of the touristy joints and reeling at the events of September 11. Yesterday was therefore for me was really just a great way to catch up with Gerrod and Kristy, two Aussies I know from back home who moved here just late last year. I brought with me a care pack containing all of the essentials (who could forget the Tim Tams) so they wouldn’t miss Australia so much. By some miracle, no subway guide and only verbal directions, I managed to find their place okay in Manhattan only just a little bit late, and off we were for the day

We headed out for a (much needed) cup of coffee to meet up with another couple of Gerrod and Kristy’s friends (who happenned to also be fellow Aussies) Michael and Lucy. Meeting them at the latest Joes (as in a cup of Joe) store, I had the best coffee I had drunk since for a while. It was made just right that no sugar was necessary (not that I have any normally anyway). It was great having some locals to give the tour and somehow we hit so many more places that I was expecting and walked our little feet off. We managed to fit in places like Union Square, the Village, Hudson River (near the Chelsea Piers), Ground Zero, Central Park, 5th Ave and St Patrick’s Cathedral. I even managed to indulge in one of the things that I missed about New York so much, a bagel with (only a smidgen) of cream cheese.

New York put on its best and brightest, with blue skies for pretty much all of the day making for perfect walking weather. See the rest of the pics from the day right here. Thanks again for the awesome day guys.