Sept 7th continued

Took an expensive taxi back to JFK Building 77 US Customs to complete the paperwork and guess what - you got it, it was the wrong building. I was directed to the right building which was a taxi ride away again. the next taxi driver also had difficulties locating it. So another expensive taxi ride. Clearing through customs was easy and after 15 mins I was on my way back to JFK and the Delta Cargo Buildings to collect my bike. Fortunately I was told by the Customs people that I could take a bus and it was free and it was right outside their building. I queued for ages at  the Delta office whose staff seemed keener on chatting, having a laugh and re arranging their clothing than looking after their customers (there was also loads of staff, just hanging around). When I got to the front of the queue (or line as the Americans call it) I  presented my paperwork and was told 'You need the Virgin Office, thats just around the corner, this was done with a smile that said another piece of work I can avoid. In the Virgin offices it was a completely different atmosphere, though equally overmanned, they were friendly and efficient and in no time at all I was unpacking my bike - exciting, though a little anxious. I was surprised that the crate was merely cardboard stapled to a timber frame - easy to dismantle but also east to tear through to my precious machine. All was good however and after tipping the guy who helped me unpack it, I was on my way, it felt great, but having had very little sleep I was tired and groggy like after a night of heavy drinking. Fortunately my first few miles was through the relatively quite roads you find in the warehouse quarter. Satnav loaded with North American maps and Princeton typed in I was following the commands of the Satnav lady and only made one mistake in that first mile! The route from JFK to Princeton takes you through the bowels of New York, Queens, Brooklyn, Statten Island and after what seemed like an eternity I hit the faster moving traffic of their highway. This felt great as stuck in busy slow moving jams in the New York heat is not fun, and I only had light clothing on - no heavy duty bike gear and I was still dripping.
On the highway I went through two toll barriers that were unmanned and no clear means of paying (I think the locals all have tags) I simply rode through them, but hopefully they won't bother to trace my GB numberplate. Once away from NY, I made fast progress and before long pulled off Highway one and entered a different world. The messy, busy, dirty, noisy highway was swapped for a tree lined lush English countryside with grand palatial houses and manicured lawns. Sally Satnav had done her work and after a few deviations Tas was waving to me from his door. Quickly unpacked the bike, greetings, tea, shower then off for something to eat (first American Burger) and then toiletry shopping at Walmart and of course like all true Englishman, Tea provisions. Back to Tasman's swish apartment
and later a grand tour of the Princeton Campus followed by beers and a meal. The campus was very reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge with its majestic buildings dating back to the early 1700's. An eclectic mix of buildings using many different materials - almost like a museum of architecture. The freshmen's building were archaic and like a Harry Potter set with a communal hall where all meals are served on extremely long oak tables (see below).
Had a great time with Tas and now writing this blog at 6.48am before riding of into the Appalachian Mountains not sure of my final destination for the day, but gonna try and find a nice campsite, as I need to claw back some of the money I have had to spend over the last few days. No beer tonight, just gallons of tea, if I can manage to work my new stove!!!!