Straying into the realms of self indulgent travel blogging … with unabashed pleasure I’ve explored my travel archives to share my favourite sunset moments from travelling around the world:
Table of Contents
Sunsets in Africa
Starting off in Africa, the best sunsets were definitely in Namibia. In the heart of Etosha National Park the campgrounds have fenced waterholes where you can spend long evenings watching the animals coming to drink at dusk – this photo shows one of those waterholes and my best Africa sunset.
Also in Namibia, in the middle of the Namib Nakluft desert, there’s a tiny place called Solitaire. Nothing more than a general store and a few other buildings, the emptiness and dryness of the desert is palpable here. But the sunset, and the apple pie, were wonderful.
On a mokoro tour in the Okavango Delta we camped on an island among the reeds. After a walking tour spotting wildlife we returned to camp as the thunderclouds rolled in. A storm was about to bring the rains for which Botswana had been waiting for weeks. The sunset and the approaching storm was powerful.
The best Asia sunsets
Now for Asia and India is first up. Varanasi has of course a deeply unique (some way weird) atmosphere but the sunset over Mother Ganga is as beautiful as any I’ve seen, with the waters turned to molten gold.
In central India the ruined temples and palaces of Orccha are highly mysterious in their jungly environment. This photo of the temple domes was taken from the rooftops of the palace.
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal we stayed in the village of Ghorepani, from where you can see the misty peaks of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. Endless shades of blue receded into the distance.
Returning up the Bosphorus on the ferry heading towards Istanbul the sun was setting behind one of the mighty bridges just as the domes and minarets of the Golden Horn came into view.
An incredibly famous place to watch the sunset in Asia is from one of the temples in the World Heritage Site of Bagan. This historic kingdom is in present-day Myanmar and must be on ever traveller’s bucket list!
The Caribbean
When we travelled in Cuba, we spent an evening strolling along the Malecon waterfront promenade in Havana after a delicious lobster dinner (with mojitos on the side), looking back is the tower of El Moro, looking forward the sunset turns the broken paving stones into a sea of clouds.
Sunsets in Europe
The Greek Island of Santorini must have one of the most famous sunsets in the world and the evening light at Oia is very beautiful… although crowded with tourists.
You should remember that at different times of year the sunset can be better in other parts of the island, like Fira or the lighthouse at Akotheri.
Sunsets in Australia
Finally to Australia, where the Wandering Kiwi family spent two years. There are several sunsets in Australia that are extremely famous, the first being at Uluru (Ayers Rock) where the setting sun bathes the great monolith with intense colours.
And then the 12 Apostles rock stacks near Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road. The sun doesn’t cast its setting light on the cliffs but the long shadows of the rocks and the softness of the glow is very atmospheric.
The final Australian sunset that is completely mesmerising is at the viewpoint of Ubirr in Kakadu National Park, looking out towards Arnhem Land.
By Natasha von Geldern
Tell me about your favourite sunset moments while travelling…
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Beautiful. My favourite sunset so far was the one at Pura Tanah Lot, Bali
I’ve not been to Bali yet, will definitely be asking your opinion when I do get there!
Sunsets are my favorite things to photograph. Mostly because of their vivid colors, but also because of the improbability of taking a bad shot. What an awesome collection you have here! No doubt you been to some interesting and beautiful places to see the sun set.
Yes it’s unusual to let a trip go by without at least one sunset shot, they are so mesmerising and romantic.
have traveled all over the world and experienced many amazing sunsets but I must say that Herne Bay in Kent, UK is up there with the best. The most spectacular sunset occur in the mid summer when the tide is out, absolutely breath taking.
Check out some photos here: http://bayguide.co.uk/wp/index.php/sunset-image/
The pics with the sunset cast entirely in reflections are the most interesting, especially the Havana photo.
Thanks for your comments! Sunsets are such special travel memories for me.
Wow.. just wow.. I always wanted to do something like this. I wish you could do more in future. Those pictures are really amazing and tell stories that I can perceive in my own way..
Raj
Adventure Bound Nepal
http://www.adventureboundnepal.com
I have to say that my favourite sunset is from Kakadu National Park as well, probably from the same view point you’ve got there in your photo
It is a really special place, glad you enjoyed it too 🙂