New York, New York.

After delivering my bike to the shipping agent in Los Angeles, I flew to New York for an overnight stop. I had decided to stay right in the middle of Manhattan, at Times Square.

I had arranged to meet fellow blogger George F who writes an excellent blog called Riding the USA. George is from New Jersey and he did an 8900 mile trip across the US in 22 days earlier this year. George very kindly met me at my hotel for the night and after dumping my bags in my room, we headed straight out for dinner. Well, sort of. We actually headed straight out for a long chat about riding bikes across the US and we had dinner at the same time. It was one of those occasions when the waitress had to keep coming back to our table to ask if we were ready to order, because the two of us we talking so much!

Having both ridden from coast to coast, we had a lot in common and a lot to talk about. Bikes, places we went to, people we met etc. We ate in a Cuban restaurant called Havana Central, just off Times Square and the food, drinks and company was very good indeed. I have never eaten Cuban food before and I liked it.

Afterwards we stepped into Times Square for a few photos before George had to go get his train home. It was a real pleasure meeting George (and I hope you get that Yamaha you are after soon!).

Here is George in Times Square....

I went and retrieved my big camera so I could try some night shots of Times Square. It is so much better taking pictures with a camera that you can control exposure and shutter speed than with a point and shoot.

This is the main part of Times Square. The building in the middle is where the ball drops to mark the new year....

There is a lit red staircase in the square – I am not sure what it is for, for it is great to photograph....

One of the street vendors in the square....

As I went back into the hotel and rode up in the glass elevator, I still had my camera out with the fisheye lens on, so as I went up, I snapped a few pictures. This is the best one....

The next day, I only had a few hours before needing to go to the airport to fly home. I wanted to take some pictures of NYC but I wasn’t sure where places are and I don’t know my way around New York very well, so I did a very tourist thing and used taxi’s to get around!

9/11 had a momentous impact on New York and indeed the whole of America. A great deal of the rest of the world followed along as events unfolded on that dreadful day, so it was fitting that I sought out ground zero and to have a look at the new building work taking place there....

The New York Stock Exchange, in the Wall Street area....

One of my favourite buildings in New York, the Flat Iron building....

Radio City Music Hall...

I have been to New York a few times, but I had never before been to the top of the Rockefeller Center to look at the view. I am glad I did, as it was terrific. This is looking north....

Central Park....

Looking south with the Empire State Building in the middle and looking towards the Statue of Liberty....

I have seen many canyons on my tour, but not many of the man-made variety....

Times Square during the day....

Grand Central Station....

I then rushed back to my hotel, finished packing, caught a cab to the airport and flew home! I slept most of the way.... zzzzz