New York

The honeymoon begins in New York

"Cabin crew, prepare for landing." We're close. I press my face against the plane's window, vision slightly obscured by icy condensation, but impossible to block the big, bold brightness emanating upwards from the city of New York. We descend, drawn in by the gravity of this magnetic place. Touchdown. We're about to get our first hit of NYC and float away into a state of complete obsession, total addiction.

One week to explore the centre of the world. We instantly adopt and embrace the frenetic pace of activity here. This hyperactive, unstoppable, densely populated little island revels in its insomnia. Day and night, always on, forever offering experiences from the historic classics to the new and experimental.

The landscape is an enormous jumble of buildings, skyscrapers, apartments, theatres, galleries, museums, billboards, shops, restaurants and cafes that change suddenly and dramatically in style, age and charisma as you walk the streets. Some grimace with garishness, like Trump Tower, while others express resilience, like Freedom Tower. There's architectural genius to admire in the Chrysler, Guggenheim and Flatiron; grunginess to experience in the Meatpacking District, 'hipsterism' in SoHo, opulence along 5th Avenue and the lungs of the city in Central Park.

Moving through this eclectic modern jungle is a perpetual flow of millions of omnifarious people who bring life, character and enterprise to this structural patchwork. It is a melting pot of cultures, linguistic diversity and individual expression, with a pervasive attitude that says 'nothing is impossible' echoing in the national psyche.

Charged with adrenaline, Jen and I walk the streets, covering more than 100km during our stay, pausing spontaneously to sample whatever catches our eye in this cinematic city. There is no such thing as "no" on a honeymoon, and so we spoil ourselves with everything from eating fast and fine foods and sipping cocktails to watching shows, laughing at live comedy, shop-hopping and simply getting lost in wonderment.

It was love at first sight.