We’ve arrived in New York — the Big Apple — and what an arrival it’s been.

The journey itself felt like a small expedition. We started in Italy, then headed to London, partly out of necessity and partly convenience. From there, we took a flight across the Atlantic with a stopover in Reykjavik. Iceland, even from the airport, felt otherworldly — vast stretches of dark, lava-like terrain, almost lunar in appearance. Stark, beautiful, and noticeably expensive. Our stop was brief, just a couple of hours, but it left an impression.

Then came the final leg into New York. As the plane descended, the clouds lifted and revealed Long Island stretched out below us. It’s one of those moments where literature comes flooding in — I couldn’t help thinking of The Great Gatsby and that whole world tied to that landscape.

Arrival at JFK was smooth. Passport control was efficient, and before long we were on the AirTrain to Jamaica Station. That part was impressively easy. From there, we navigated the subway — eventually picking up the D line — and made our way into Manhattan.

When we emerged at Columbus Circle, it was night. That first moment hit hard. Lights everywhere, towering buildings, an overwhelming verticality — it genuinely felt like stepping into a science fiction film. New York doesn’t ease you in; it just presents itself in full force.

Our base is the YMCA on the West Side — chosen not just for cost, but for its location. It’s close to Central Park and within easy reach of places we want to visit like the Met and the Guggenheim. Practical, central, and perfectly placed for exploring. It’s also the original place made famous by the Village People hit.

The room, however, came with a twist.

We were given a small private room with a bunk bed. Sandra sensibly took the lower bunk. I, somewhat optimistically, took the top. Getting up there was… challenging. The ladder was steep, quite vertical. Still, I made it, and after the long journey, I slept incredibly well — helped, no doubt, by the time difference working in our favour.

Getting down the next morning was another matter entirely.

After some unsuccessful manoeuvring, Sandra moved a table into position. With a combination of caution and commitment, I climbed down via the table and made it safely to the ground. Not elegant, but effective. The eagle has landed.

We’ll be asking today if there’s any chance of a room with a more manageable setup — ideally two beds at ground level. One can only hope.

For now, though, we’re up, we’re ready, and we’re heading out. First stop: breakfast. Then on to see the dinosaurs.

New York has begun.