Table of Content
Sunsets have been always something magical to me. Sunsets are even better than magic – the everyday kind of natural magic. It doesn’t matter where I manage to enjoy them, they are always marvellous to watch. On the mountains, while camping, on Gili Islands, on the balcony while hanging out the laundry, in the city park during the dog walk… It doesn’t really matter! Sunsets are everywhere. You just need to keep your eyes open for the magic to happen.
I’ve never been religious. But imagine how it would feel to be a “believer”, to me is like a sunset over the ocean. A fantastic occasion to look at something and to believe that everything is alright. Like the eyes of what many call “God” in different languages. Like the master “hug” of boundless love. Like seeing your favourite band in a private concert…
If you’re following my travel blog, you already know my passion for sunsets. Although my photographic skills do not really allow me to capture the entire magic of these happenings, it is still better to have some pictures, than to have no pictures at all. To be honest, I do even like the result of capturing the golden moments on Gili Air, the smallest of the Gili Islands. The colours are even similar to what my eyes were actually seeing. Anyway, the atmosphere from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm is still impossible to recreate.
Different than in Europe and North America for example, the Indonesian sunset happens between 5:50 pm and 6:35 pm. The same is with the sunrise – there is only about 40 min difference throughout the whole year. The days are much shorter than the summer days in Europe and the life of many locals happens between 6 am and 6 pm. Especially on the Gili Islands, you can feel the difference before and after the sun has set down – all living creatures are preparing for the night, some to rest, others to hunt, others to party.
As I already said, no matter where I’m, sunsets are always special. But sunset in conjunction with water fascinates me even more than any other sunset! And from Gili Islands there is also a Vulcanic bonus! In the very last moments of the sunset, you can easily spot Mount Agung in front of the sun. The distance of 60 km still allows the majestic view over the 3000 m volcano!
Roman Payne
Enjoy the Day!
