I was last in New York City mere month’s ago celebrating New Year’s 2005 and you all know how much I really loved my time then. I think this visit actually makes it my fourth in the last two years to the fair city and I’m stilled not tired of it.

The weekend saw us spending time with my Connecticut Aunt and her family. I enjoy going to their home as it is absolutely gorgeous and in very a lovely part of Connecticut. We made sure to take my parents up to my Aunt’s lake cabin by Lake Chaffee. I love the fact that they have a summer/winter cabin to go to – to me it seems such an American thing just like in the movies.

On our third day in New York we went to Manhattan’s Chinatown with another of my Aunts. She was going to give us a local’s view point, though she pointed out that this local hadn’t been to Chinatown for quite a number of years! Still, she was an admirable tour guide making sure we visited all the interesting side stores proving that she hadn’t lost her touch. We were also witness to one of the more entertaining sights along Canal Street (where replica products are sold) when a group of people selling pirated DVDs had to pick up their gear and race off to hide around a corner when some cops drove by.

Our fourth and final day saw my brothers and I heading into Manhattan for a little shopping, a little sightseeing and a lot of food!

Our schedule was chock-full and saw us starting the day at 9.30am with an Elvis Doughnut (peanut butter coated doughnut stuffed with banana) from the Doughnut Plant followed swiftly by gelati from Il Laboratorio Del Gelato not 30 minutes later. Doughnut Plant doughnuts are expensive with limited choice but they are big, oddly square and quit delicious. I’m not sure how well placed I was to judge the liquorice and crème freche gelati from Il Laboratorio Del Gelato as I was stuffed from my doughnut and it was an absolutely freezing cold day (maybe 9 degrees at the time?) The liquorice definitely had an interesting bite to it. Lunch was at Brothers BBQ. Oh man – was I ever stuffed after I left! Stephen and I shared a meat platter for two that came with spare ribs, beef brisket, sausages, a half a chicken, pulled pork in a tangy vinegar sauce and to our surprise 4 sides! We had to get Pat to help us out because there was no way we were going to finish it once we saw the size of it. The beef brisket was yummy and a must have if you find yourself at Brothers BBQ.

Shopping include visits to Century 21 (for some clothes for the boys) and J&R to pick up an MP3 player (my gotta-buy-a-toy item of the trip – what can I say – after seeing all those electronics in Japan I was desperate to pick something up in the States).

Sightseeing involved a free trip on the Staten Island Ferry for views of the Lady (Statue of Liberty), a walk down Wall Street, a visit to the World Trade Centre sight, playing in newly re-opened FAO Schwarz, and walking past the Chrysler building.

A nice family dinner topped our final day for a good finish to our New York trip.