Travel Horizons: sunrise

Showing posts with label sunrise. Show all posts

9.30.2019

good morning, Sydney

We're now in Sydney, and with our return from the Outback, we again have ample bandwidth to post on Travel Horizons. I got out of bed at 4:45 a.m. this morning to capture the sunrise. The heavy cloud cover prevented any meaningful dawn colors ... but they created drama. I converted this photograph to black and white and am happy with the image.

Taken from the boardwalk in front of the Park Hyatt Sydney, located in the historic Rocks district, this is an ideal location if you're into sunrise or sunset photography of the Opera House.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

3.26.2018

sunrise at Belmond El Encanto

Sometimes a blog post requires no words, and this is one of those posts. I woke up at 6 a.m. so that I could capture the sunrise. This photograph was taken on the terrace behind Belmond El Encanto, about 500 feet above the blue waters of the Pacific. Today begins with a cloudless, brilliant blue sky. Those are silhouetted eucalyptus trees. On our schedule: a trolley tour of downtown Santa Barbara and a whale watching cruise.

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit our website.

10.22.2016

a beautiful sunrise at Half Moon Bay

Another day, another beautiful sunrise... This is the sight right outside the sliding doors of our room at Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. With the Pacific Ocean to the right and the coastal mountains to the left, this is as beautiful a panorama as you could hope for. Straight ahead is the fairway and green of the 18th hole at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, a beautiful Scottish links style course along the sea. In fact, Ritz-Carlton has two 18-hole championship courses to challenge avid golfers.

We've been here less than 24 hours, but I totally love this resort. Today we're planning to enjoy the resort's Signature Redwoods Drive. This includes a visit to the town of Half Moon Bay and a scenic drive past pumpkin farms, wineries, redwood forests, and windswept beaches. I'll blog about the experience tomorrow.

Just 23 miles south of San Francisco and a half hour drive from SFO, Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is a great destination for weekend getaways ... and an ideal setting for a company retreat. Of course, by booking through your Virtuoso travel advisor, you'll get free daily breakfast for two, a $100 spa credit, complimentary internet, and an upgraded room if available, all for the regular price you see online.

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or

10.11.2016

sunrise/sunset in Palm Springs

There's no mystery why sunset photographs outnumber pictures of the sunrise. Sunrises happen in the early morning, and most people prefer to sleep in when they're on vacation! I, on the other hand, have always been a contrarian, and I have always found the sunrise to be an inspiring experience.

The sunrise vigil begins by standing in the near darkness, starting perhaps 30 minutes before dawn. Even though the sun has not yet peaked over the horizon, its light has already begun filtering through. As you wait, you can see the dark sky gradually lighten, and you can discern large shapes in the distance — in this case, the mountains surrounding the valley. As you wait in the silence, the light increases imperceptibly moment by moment, and more and more details begin to appear.

But best of all is that magic moment when the sun finally rises above the eastern horizon, casting its direct rays on those distant landmarks. The sight of mountains glowing in the light of dawn is a special experience, one that never grows old for me.

P.S. — Here's tonight's sunset. Both the sunrise and sunset are brought to you courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, a great desert resort in Southern California. I've enjoyed my three night stay — great food, great pools, great spa ... and Palm Springs is an ideal destination for golfers.

6.10.2016

sunrise at Southern Ocean Lodge

Sunrise is the most incredible time of day, and readers of Travel Horizons over the past ten years will know that I like waking up early to capture images of the sun as it peeks over the horizon. I suppose it's perfectly natural that sunset pictures are a lot more popular, as most everyone is quite awake in the late afternoon... but sunrise photography means starting your day before everyone else.

Southern Ocean Lodge is a gorgeous five star resort on the southern coast of Kangaroo Island, just off the coast of South Australia (about a 30 minute flight from Adelaide). Beautiful large rooms, clean contemporary styling, incredible food (all-inclusive!), and even an open bar in the main lodge with complimentary wines and liqueurs.

Virtuoso guests receive even more, a complimentary upgrade from the lead-in Flinders Suite to an Ocean Retreat Suite and 100 AUD in credits, 50 AUD towards a spa treatment and another 50 AUD towards an activity. More about activities in my next post... but while you wait, here's another sunrise shot from yesterday.

copyright (c) 2016 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

6.05.2016

sunrise over Sydney

While working on my iPad about 6:30 a.m. this morning, I glanced out the window and saw the incredible sunrise pictured above. I quickly dimmed the lights in the room and drew the curtains behind me (to avoid reflections in the glass) and took several shots of this scene. It's always a good day when it begins with a gorgeous sunrise ... and after yesterday's torrential downpours (I read there was 3" of rain), the promise of a sunny day and blue skies is welcome news.

I can't say enough about my Premier Full Harbour room at the Four Seasons Sydney. Located on the northeast corner of the building, the view is so worth it. The room is extremely spacious 570 square feet, an open floor plan Junior Suite equipped with a sofa bed, work area with convenient plugs, and a large walk-in closet. The bathroom has a single vanity, large step-in shower, and a soaking tub. Decorated in restful tones of beige, tan, and grey, the interior design is pleasing with visually interesting patters in the carpeting and wall paper. (Tip: couples and families should book a Premier room. The lead-in Deluxe category rooms are a compact 280 square feet, fine for a guest traveling alone on business).

Today's big challenge — I'm doing the BridgeClimb! Check back tomorrow to read about the experience.

10.03.2014

sunrise in Paro, Bhutan

It's our last morning in Bhutan. Woke up early, looked out the window, and knew that I wanted to capture this scene for my memories. The sun, peaking over the tops of other mountains, caught the snowcapped peak of this mountain just right. Amankora Paro has a beautiful setting, and this is the view from the resort's main lounge.

Later today we fly back to Bangkok ... and tomorrow, we fly to Chiang Rai for a quick one-night site inspection of Four Seasons Tented Camp. Be watching this space, because obviously there's still more to come over the last days of our trip. (Not to mention one final night at the Peninsula Hong Kong - hopefully things will be peaceful during our stay).

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. As affiliates of Brownell Travel, we can provide our clients with Virtuoso amenities and amenities from other Brownell preferred hotel partners including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.