Semi-Live: Venezia Labor Day Cruise 8/31-9/7

Knights on the Beach · August 30

22 hours ago, TravelE said:

I love that there will be another large but not mega-ship choice in Port Canaveral. I do worry that the Venezia pools may not be able to handle the crowds. I would love for them to add a pool to the back of the ship in the Terrazza area to make it more like the Havana area on Horizon, etc.

You know what they say: When you cruise in hurricane season, you get . . . .hurricanes!

1 hour ago, DeniseTr said:

Venezia seems to be better suited to Alaska given the pool size.

I swim every day, discovered on my last cruise that is better to skip pool altogether and just enjoy the beach a few times.

Theoretically, smaller pool means fewer children, but not sure how many parents would book with size of pool in mind.

We're excited to try Venezia specifically because it seems so different from other Carnival ships. We have a pool and love a good pool at a resort on a land vacation but rarely get in them on cruise ships. Never mind that they're usually overcrowded, they're just too dang cold for this Floridian. So the pool situation on Venezia won't affect us in any way, but I can already imagine there will be lots of complaints on social media from the people who didn't do their homework before their cruise. And then it will be all Carnival's fault for their "ruined" vacation. 🙄

TravelE · August 30

And the ever present Pickle ball @Roscoe13

We purchased our Edge tickets for later tonight and returned to the High Line.

Art scattered along the walk

I thought this building was very cool with the rounded windows.

TravelE · August 30

Where the Hudson Yards gets its name. A train yard along the Hudson

They are digging to expand the tunnel under the Hudson.

TravelE · August 30

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is one of only a few in the US. They offer specialty blends and coffees not available elsewhere. They also have a bar.

We ordered a

TOFFEENUT BIANCO LATTE

Starbucks Reserve^®Espresso with steamed milk and flavors of toffeenut and white chocolate mocha, finished with a salted brown-buttery sprinkle.

This is the most delicious coffee I have ever had. We also shared a croissant which did not feel like having it’s photo taken!!’

Edited August 30 by TravelE

TravelE · August 30

Across the street is the Chelsea Market, housed in the former Nabisco factory. It is similar to the food market in Philadelphia and Seattle. We wanted to go to Los Tacos #1 on the recommendation of our neighbor but they were still serving breakfast. We found a cute bagel place and ordered an Everything. So many more toppings in NYC.

I think you could find any type of cuisine in the market. Here are just a few of the food stalls near the bagel place.

Very retro bathrooms

Roscoe13 · August 30

On 8/28/2024 at 5:44 PM, TravelE said:

My Fantasy Football team.

Every year I get 2nd place, maybe this will be my year to 🏆.

Impressive roster! If you are open to unsolicited advice? You don't need 3 starting QB's, might be able to trade 1 for another RB or WR. But if your strategy is to stockpile QB's so that none of the other family members can roster them...then more power to you!!

TravelE · August 31

4 hours ago, Roscoe13 said:

Impressive roster! If you are open to unsolicited advice? You don't need 3 starting QB's, might be able to trade 1 for another RB or WR. But if your strategy is to stockpile QB's so that none of the other family members can roster them...then more power to you!!

I love the QB’s. And yes. I try to keep them from my family!

TravelE · August 31

I have a lot of catching up to do. I promise to do better tomorrow.

Jamman54 · August 31

13 minutes ago, TravelE said:

I have a lot of catching up to do. I promise to do better tomorrow.

When are you going to have time tomorrow? 😃

Ashpalo · August 31

11 hours ago, TravelE said:

And the ever present Pickle ball @Roscoe13

We purchased our Edge tickets for later tonight and returned to the High Line.

Art scattered along the walk

I thought this building was very cool with the rounded windows.

I love this building! It reminds me of many Blanton’s bottles stacked together! 🙂

TravelE · August 31

29 minutes ago, Ashpalo said:

I love this building! It reminds me of many Blanton’s bottles stacked together! 🙂

It totally does. It had a sister building on the other side with the High Line in the middle.

TravelE · August 31

I left you all hanging in the Chelsea Market bathroom. Let’s keep moving!

Subway to Lower Manhattan

Flower Delivery NYC style

And musical entertainment. I made DH miss a train to hear more.

Hungry Like the Wolf NYC Subway

Yes! I made a YouTube account for you fine folks.

Thank you for hanging out with me.

TravelE · August 31

We arrived at the WTC Memorial Pools via the new Oculus station.

The station is designed to look like a bird in flight and is constructed with spires similar to the ones atop the Towers.

Every September 11th at 8:46 am the sun aligns with the middle of the bird and generates twin shadows on the floor in the shape of the towers.

It’s a very powerful statement next to the memorials.

The last time we visited the site the museum was in a temporary facility and the memorial pools were under construction.

Today they were both fully operational and quite beautiful considering their purpose. They stand in the original footprints of the Twin Towers.

The plaques include N or S to include the tower and then the floor number where they were on that morning.

A little boy was exactly at the right height to point out that the water starts there under the names before it makes the first drop into the pool. I think most people miss this.

TravelE · August 31

A map of the site.

Greenwich Street did not go through the previous WTC site.

The Memorial Glade for those who did not perish on Sept 11 but were affected by it.

We think of first responders, clean up crew, and New Yorkers, but I overheard a tour guide point out the concrete barriers.

He said those blocks coming out of the ground also represent all the ways Sept 11 changed our lives from TSA screenings, clear bags, and heightened security and barriers everywhere.

Like this

Across the street is an elevated park with a sculpture pulled out of the wreckage from the WTC complex.

Edited August 31 by TravelE

TravelE · August 31

Next we head towards Trinity Church to visit Mr. Hamilton.

The church is quite beautiful with a peaceful courtyard. You go thru a quick bag check and metal detector but all of the staff is warm and welcoming. There is no fee to visit.

They ask for you to walk through the church and then around the courtyard at your leisure.

Most of the grave markers are worn and the names and dates are not readable.

Here is the oldest grave, a sweet child.

And Mr Hamilton whose grave has been improved and restored over time.

I am so glad we visited. The church sits between the hustle and bustle of WTC complex and Wall Street but is a welcome oasis and respite. For me, that is what church is supposed to be.

TravelE · August 31

By lunchtime we have walked 4.7 miles.

Quick stop by the Ghostbusters Headquarters before lunch.

Lunch was Bleecker Street Pizza in Greenwich village.

DH had his usual Pepperoni and I had a slice of Grandma’s Pizza. I recently discovered this. It has a slightly thicker crust, sweet crushed tomatoes, and basil.

FYI, you can use your phone to pay for subways and buses if you have set up Apple Pay. Double click the right side button to activate Apple Pay and hold it over the reader. No tickets needed.

TravelE · August 31

I feel like I need to fat forward for you all or provide a TL;DR.

Short rest at hotel and then MOMA

We really came to see Starry Night. It’s one of DH’s favorites and he had not seen it in person.

I have The Last Supper on my list to see. It’s in Milan. Anyone else have a “art” bucket list?

TravelE · August 31

We walked to the Morgan Library. Fridays after 5:00 are free and they have live music and cocktails. You can get the passes on the website a week in advance. DH scored these for us since I was subbing that day.

The line wrapped around the building but they moved us in quickly.

JP Morgan collected rare and first edition books from across the globe to create his library. He expanded to other works of art including musical compositions. I had read the book, The Secret Librarian, which goes into detail about his quest.

The library is opulent and gorgeous.