Travel Horizons: sunset

Showing posts with label sunset. Show all posts

10.01.2019

a postcard from Uluru (Ayers Rock)

A postcard from Uluru ... the Aboriginal name for this massive rock formation in the center of Australia. The English settlers called it Ayers Rock, probably the name you know.

The top photo was taken well before dawn. The half hour before the sun actually peaks above the horizon is the most special time to visit. We stood alone in the darkness, watched the sun's glow from below the horizon, and observed the gradual, almost imperceptible brightening of that glow as dawn approached. Once the sun gets above the horizon, the magic is lost as everything is cast in bright light.

Sunset is another popular time to visit Uluru. In the middle of the day, the heat can be oppressive and the harsh, bright light of the sun washes out the colors. As sunset approaches, the low angle of the sun casts golden and then reddish light upon Uluru, creating the ethereal glow you see below.

Well worth a visit, Longitude 131º is an exclusive resort with luxury tents, each with a view of Uluru. Included in your room rate are all meals, fine wines and cocktails, and excursions to explore the area — mostly at sunrise and sunset. What to do in the middle of the day? Relax by the pool ... or pamper yourself in the Spa. Book through a Virtuoso travel advisor to receive an exclusive resort credit towards your treatment!

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.

9.19.2019

postcard from Lizard Island | sunset

We arrived yesterday at Lizard Island, after a 15 hour flight from San Francisco and an overnight in Cairns. I napped in the afternoon and almost missed getting this photo. We rushed down to the beach, camera and tripod in hand. The sun had already set, but I was able to capture this image of the sun still illuminating clouds above the horizon. The tripod proved to be critical, as this was an 0.8 second exposure at f/11 and ISO 100, for those who care about such details.

3.10.2018

U Bein Bridge at sunset

The oldest and longest teak bridge in the world, U Bein Bridge is three-quarters of a mile long and over 170 years old, built with teakwood. It is quite a popular tourist attraction, and the crowds were there when we arrived on Friday afternoon. We did not walk out onto the bridge due to (1) it being so crowded and (2) the fact that the bridge has no side rails. But not walking the bridge was not a disadvantage.

To enjoy the best view of any attraction, it's necessary to get some distance from the attraction itself. In our case, the Sanctuary Ananda had rented a number of rowboats for us, one for each cabin. Claire and I sat in our own boat as the oarsman rowed us out into the river. We settled some distance from shore to look upon the the view above.

A special surprise arrived after awhile on the water... a rowboat rowed by with two Ananda staff members, serving glasses of Tattingers Champagne to their guests. It grew close to sunset and, as we waited, the sun lowered in the western sky, eventually turning into a brilliant red ball. The photograph above will share a sense of the experience.

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 my website.

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.

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 visit my website.

3.13.2012

Sunset at The Cliffs Preserve

Sometimes you don't need to write a word - the picture says it all. Every sunset is different, and you can just sit on the deck each evening watching the sun set over the beach, taking in the changing colors. Then, go inside for dinner; every meal here has been beyond superb!

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