After an evening of dinner, a show, and some dancing, we returned to our cabin for the final night …
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… only to rise early for the special treat from the deck to the east …
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… but the show we came to see was to the west …
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… as we approached the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge …
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… which the ship cleared with a little to spare …
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… to eventually dock on the New Jersey of the river with a wonderful view of Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline featuring One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and the morning clouds getting ready to make a break.
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From the dock, our return home started as we went directly to the airport, so we couldn’t connect with NYC area bloggers as Lame, Guapo, Kay, and Weebs. But if you are late joining this trip, click here to get you to the start, plus each post will end with the next stop.
A Frank Angle 
Frank,
That last shot is nothing shy of spectacular! Absolutely gorgeous.
Cathy
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Cathy,
As a nonphotographer, sometimes I get lucky … and in this case, I think it was the combination of the low morning clouds, the glimpses of sun, and the stationary subject matter. Thanks!
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I agree with Cathy, the last one of Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline is spectacular, Frank. You ought have it framed. Or better yet, there are sites that will turn your photo into a canvas. Just a thought. (I wonder if they could airbrush the streetlight out?)
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Jim,
The last pic has gotten much praise, so thanks to you and to all. My wife tells me that pic is her computer wallpaper at work! Thanks for the encouragement.
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I was thinking the same thing, Jim. It’s still a fantastic shot, but would be even better without the street light!
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Cathy,
Thanks for the kind words. Would that be an easy removal for Photoshop users?
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Gorgeous shots! I love the night one at the top of the post. Really cool. (Do people still say cool?…)
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Carrie,
I think “cool” is still used! … if not, at least those of us who know what it is accept it! 🙂 . The moon shot is interesting with the reflection toward the ship. Ahhhhhh …. it seems so long ago.
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Great photos Frank!
Thanks for sharing these. I enjoy hearing about your travels 🙂
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RoSy,
We tried to take a nice vacation every few years. Because this one was relatively close, it’s was cheaper … well, compared going to Europe.
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A good thing to try & do if & whenever you can. We try too as well. This year – my vacation was my new patio. I waited patiently for 10 years for this – LOL
But – we did get the boy a trip to Boston for his 16th bday (Red Sox destination trip vs. those who shall not be named). It was a boy’s trip – so hubby went with him 🙂
The girls survived on passes to Six Flags for the summer. And – one of them had hockey camp. So – it’s all good.
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A good way to spread things out among the family. Of those, I’ll take the Boston trip.
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It seemed you enjoyed your too short business to my corner of the world. What show did you see?
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I meant to write “too short visit” and it somehow came out as “too short business”. Oy. I blame the gremlins.
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Damn gremlins …. and they must be from The Grind.
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Ha! That place does haunt me!
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LOL … fortunately our terminal was low key … very low key … maybe too low key!
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Lame,
The show was obvious – Bayonne: How to inefficiently get 3,000 travelers on their way …. I wonder how many people missed their flight that day. … but I do wish I would have had time to get together!
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Ah! I thought you might have seen something on Broadway!
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… Oh I forgot … On the Road to EWR … Amazing!
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Wow your photography is so damn good… the last photo is spectacular…
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Bulldog,
I’m no photographer, so for a point-and-shot guy, I’m thankful for luck … and the fact that digital cameras allow users to take and delete! Glad you enjoyed the last one the best!
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Hey Bulldog … In a comment to Robin I posted a pic of the Statue of Liberty with the Great Hall (from the immigration wave on Ellis Island) in the background. I don’t think it is as good of a pic, but it adds a bit more history.
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Why are you shooting down your photography… that photo is just brilliant… it give NYC a look of mystique ,,, when we visited NYC the day we went to the Statue it was all misty and wet… I got some brilliant photos of Manhattan Island… not the bright shiny ones, but those with a little mystery to them…
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Thanks Bulldog. I simply marvel at what those of you can do with good equipment … so it’s a matter of perspective … but I am able to frame a shot! ,,,, and I’ve heard others say that cloudy days are golden for photographers.
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Somehow, she isn’t changed much… I do remember my first time there, I was 20 yrs old… now, only the scar at Ground Zero make me feel sad… and I wish to take there my husband and kids too! Thank you for thise lovely photos…
Serenity :-)claudine
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Claudine,
Even though this was my first time seeing the new building, I could help think about that horrible day …. yet Lady Liberty provided some solitude … and seeing Ellis Island near her (not shown here) reminded me of my paternal grandparents who went through the Grand Hall.
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Beautiful pictures, approaching the bridge and the city.
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Shimon,
I caught that one just right … and I like the one building catching the morning sun.
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What wonderful pictures, I know you say you aren’t a photog but you caught these just right.
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Val,
Correct on both counts. 😉 Thanks!
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WOW, that last shot! Could I get a print of that to frame? It’s so good to see the One World Trade Center Building soaring above the Stature of Liberty with the Empire State Building in the background. I was in NY City two weeks after 9/11.
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Tim,
I will send you the original digital .. and if I don’t, remind me.
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Love that last shot! Amazing. 🙂
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Robin,
It seems to be the favorite today. I have another one that is closer … thus can see the Great Hall of Ellis Island in the background. I try to post it in a comment soon.
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Robin … here’s the image I mentioned.
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Frank. Did you know there is a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Pennsylvania? I didn’t until recently. I just posted a couple pictures. Your shots are great. Nice work as always!
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Frank,
I just saw a list on Wikipedia … and there are more than I realized.
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After posting yesterday, I did the same thing and to my surprise as well, there are many.
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🙂
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i was up through NY recently, this past sunday, driving my daughter back up to boston where she attends college. will also be up there in a few weeks for thanksgiving and then christmas.
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Rich,
You are lucky to be so close to many great metro areas!
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i grew up where a five-minute walk would give me a view of the empire state building and the twin towers. when 9/11 happened, the feds put up a 5-mile radius barrier, which was right at the 5-mile point at the edge of the town where i lived. also at the point of that view is a cemetery in which my mother is buried as well as joey ramone. at four miles is metro-life stadium, formerly known as giants stadium.
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Wow … and thanks for sharing … and to think I may have flown over your house from EWR.
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my parents left jersey city in the late 50’s to a more suburban area. i lived there from birth until about age 25 before heading to central and then southern new jersey, about five minutes from philly now.
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.. and hopefully someday we will be able to chat … of course with CNN on!
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that would be a great day.
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I often see the cruise ships in the harbor and on the Hudson.
I wonder if I saw yours.
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Guap,
We pulled in on a Sunday … and Explore of the Seas is currently based out of Bayonne. However, Quantum of the Seas will replace it (I think in March) – and it is one of the mega ships! Sure wished we could have gotten together.
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Me too.
At some point we should be able to.
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WOW! Beautiful moments and photographs… Especially the last one is amazing, so artistic. Thank you dear Frank, love, nia
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Nia,
You are so kind and the last pic is the overwhelming favorite in this set. I put a similar pic in the comments. Thank you!
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That’s a beautiful dawn, Frank! Some experience…
🙂
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Marina,
It was a beautiful dawn indeed … and given everything, I was eager to see because of personal reasons as my paternal grandparents entered the US through NYC harbor … My mother and I (at 3 months) entered the US for the first time through this harbor – and at that age, something I can’t recall. So I was anxious to see the magnificent skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island from a ship …. and given the morning clouds and the approaching sunlight, it was all good.
I recall the magnificent approach into Venice at 7 am in a cruise ship. Sure it doesn’t have the tall buildings as Manhattan, but that day was also spectacular … and then do go right down the large canal to do a U-turn near St Mark’s Square in order to dock beside the sidewalk. Here’s a pic.
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There is something magical, entering a city at dawn and even more so when there are sentimental conections… Beautiful Venice and beautiful memories! 🙂
BTW you may have been 3 but I’m sure your subconscious remembers!
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Oh … I just remembered that I was also in & out at age 5 …. but I still don’t recall anything!
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What a great way to arrive in New York!
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Debra,
A fabulous way to arrive in NYC … would also be interesting to arrive at night.
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We should have been in New York a fornight ago Frank – I am jealous!
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GFB,
NYC is quite the place … but I need to return so I can stay .. this time was more like a pass through.
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These photos are stunning. I’ve never approached NYC from the water. My father travelled through there from Ft. Kilmer army base in New Jersey on his way to Germany in 1953. I suspect things looked a bit different then. I don’t remember seeing any pictures of his.
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Christine,
Congratulations for completing the journey! 🙂 I was a youngin’ the last time I approached NYC by water, so I don’t recall anything.
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What a gorgeous sunrise! And the last shot is pretty wonderful, too! What a wonderful trip. 🙂
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Debra,
The time and setting all worked in my favor on this day. Thanks for taking the journey with me.
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Frank, these are great shots. I have to say, I’ve never seen someone who dances so much! I must follow your lead (pun intended). Life is meant to be joyful. Have a good one. D
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Oh no … I’m going to try my memory … Deborah .. am I right?
Glad you enjoyed the pics … and it was a wonderful trip. … Dancing is both fun and good exercise. I have a post in the archives about its benefits!
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Fabulous pics, Frank. I also love the last one. Absolutely stunning. 🙂
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Sylvia,
I know you know the Big Apple well, so glad you enjoyed it!
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WOW! Great photographs, Frank! (I loved the first one)
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Hood,
It was a special morning … and the moon seemed like a great way to start the sequence.
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