Jaw-Dropping Sunrises Around The World

May 7th, 2010 | 28 comments


Today’s Photo Friday Special is inspired by my previous blog post, Sunsets From Around The World. It was such a big hit that I decided to feature sunrises in this edition. I thought I’d be receiving a lot less sunrise submissions than sunset editions. I mean, unless you’re jet-lagged or an insomniac, who gets up at the crack of down to catch the sun rise?

Apparently these dedicated travel bloggers and photographers…

Pamplona, Spain

After a long night in a park chatting with pilgrims, we were rewarded with a beautiful dramatic sunrise.

Camino de Santiago walk in Spain

This photo was also taken in Spain, during the Camino de Santiago walk. I started walking before dawn, and suddenly remembered a photographer should always check behind his back, so I turned around and saw this!

Musandam, Oman

Taken in Musandam, Oman after camping with some friends on the beach. It was a beautiful sunrise before a storm.

Dan Nahabedian

Dan is wandering soul and a traveler, eager to learn from the entire World, and excited to share all the Knowledge and the Beauty captured through his lens. That’s what he’s am all about! Check out his blog Canvas of Light for more jaw dropping photos and follow him on Twitter @Eloren.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

This is a shot from my sailing trip around the Great Barrier Reef. As the sun rose, it gave off the most beautiful golden glow from behind the clouds. It was so surreal watching the sun rise with absolutely nothing else- not even land- in sight.

Over the Pacific Ocean

This was taken somewhere over the Pacific Ocean just before reaching Sydney, Australia. After 20 long hours on a cramped plane, I was greeted by this sunrise and it made all of those hours of discomfort worth it. Soon after, the clouds cleared and my first glimpse of Sydney came into view.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

One of the highlights of my time in Australia was a four day sailing trip around the Great Barrier Reef. One morning, we all woke up early, raised the sails, and sat- feet dangling over the side of the boat- and watched the sunrise as we sailed further out to sea.

Each of the following HDRIs are made out of 5 different photos all taken at different exposures. Then I combine them and I’m able to get a really really wide range of color (hence the name- high dynamic range imaging) that’s impossible to capture in just one photo. It’s actually really simple…the hardest part is keeping the camera still enough to take 5 pictures that are exactly the same (which was next to impossible on a shaky bridge).

East River, New York

This is an HDRI of the sun rising over the East River (which divides Manhattan from Brooklyn). As someone who lives in Manhattan, I find that one of my favorite things to do is take a walk over the Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn. If you do this early enough, you'll be one of the lucky few to see a dreamlike sunrise over two beautiful skylines.

Williamsburg Bridge, New York

This is another HDRI taken on my morning walk across the Williamsburg Bridge. Living in the 'concrete jungle', I often find myself pining for the serenity and beauty of nature so much so that I tend to overlook the beauty of the man made structures that surround me.

Williamsburg Bridge, New York

Just over the bridge into Williamsburg and a few... umm... depreciated blocks north, there's a small park that, in my opinion, offers some of the most stunning views of New York City. I like to climb out onto the rocks that jut into the East River and take in the Manhattan skyline and this view of the Williamsburg Bridge.

Brianne Hoyt-Stern

Brianne Hoyt-Stern was born and raised in New Jersey and currently lives and works in New York City. She specializes in 2D animation and design and has earned her BFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts. She enjoys spending her free time taking photographs, especially HDR images. Although she loves art, her greatest passion is traveling. She tries to combine her two loves by taking much of her inspiration from the traveling she has done and her time spent overseas. Her artwork is a strong reflection of her experiences. Follow Brianne on Twitter @brieee.

Mt. Fuji, Japan

Sunrise from the height of Mount Fuji, Japan, overlooking the clouds over Kawaguchi Lake. Summer 2002.

Dina from Vagabond Quest

Ryan and Dina are a couple of permanent travelers vagabonding around the world. Ryan is a software guy from Canada, and Dina is a chemist from Java, Indonesia. They met in Japan and then lived in Ontario, Canada. In April 2009, they closed their home and since then have been living on the road with their 2 backpacks. They focus on cheap travel and ways to get more travel enjoyment for less cash. In their blog “Vagabond Quest“, they share their stories and recommendations. Follow them on Twitter @VagabondQuest.

Big Bend, Texas

Took this photo Monday morning in Marathon Texas. I got up just as light was coming into the sky to head down to Big Bend. Thought it was great with the Texas silhouettes.

Brian Setzer

Brian left his job in April 2010 and is traveling the Americas on a motorcycle.  A trip he first envisioned in 2007 while on a scooter in Laos.  Ride along with him to find a out more about these countries and motorcycle travel at BikeandBoots.com or on Twitter @bikeandboots.

Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa

The 5.00am start was made entirely worthwhile when waking up to this picture postcard sunrise in Phinda game reserve, South Africa.

Dave Dean

Dave was born and raised in small town New Zealand providing  him with the perfect beginnings for a lifelong travel addiction. After graduating from university with a degree in History and Political Science he packed his meager belongings into a backpack and headed for London. The subsequent years have seen him traveling through thirty-something countries and watching my ‘must see’ list grow larger almost as quickly as I’ve watched my bank balance grow smaller. Check out Dave’s blog, What’s Dave Doing, and follow him on Twitter @driftingkiwi.

Palawan, Philippines

This photo was taken on Coco Loco Island, a private island in Palawan, Philippines. When the tide is in, the island takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to circumnavigate. When the tide is out, however, you can walk out almost a mile from the island. It's certainly one of the most unique ways I've greeted the sun in the early morning.

Carrie Kellenberger

Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Carrie Kellenberger has kept a home base with her husband in Asia since 2003. A nomad at heart, Carrie’s deep love for travel, photography, and culture have led her on frequent travels over the past seven years. Carrie works for a publishing company in Taipei, but she also finds work as a freelance writer, editor, and photographer. www.myseveralworlds.com

Hocking Hill, Ohio

Sunrise kayak trip; colors start to appear as the sun begins its ascent into the sky. A peace descends.

Hocking Hill, Ohio

The sun appears, and is barely visible as it burns away the mists and causes the world to glow. Alone in my kayak, the world has never looked so beautiful.

Kirsten Alana

Kirsten Alana is a photographer and travel writer currently in the Midwest who is planning a late 2010 move to the East or West coast. She always has a quote ready and waiting to share. She’s an avid Jane Austen fan, adventure & experience junkie, Francophile, passionate fan of Mexico, Apple and Canon geek, New Englander by birth and the daughter of an artist. Kirsten also loves to support charities and her current favorite is “Charity:Water”. You can find her on Twitter @kirsten_al.

Kinabatanga River, Malaysia Borneo

The jungle was slowly waking up. The birds were chirping excitedly while the monkeys had begun their daily forage for fruits and leaves. As we sat in the boat, we witnessed a simply magical moment as the sun lazily lifted its head above the tree-tops, blanketing the jungle with its warm rays and casting a mesmerizing glow across the horizon. Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

Keith Jenkins

Keith Jenkins is a thirty-something who lives in Amsterdam and writes about his travels on his Velvet Escape travel blog. In addition to being a travel blogger, Keith offers travel writing services as well as social media consultancy and online marketing services. He is also the co-founder of the Global Bloggers Network, a community that helps individual and corporate bloggers grow and monetize their blogs.

Angor Wat, Cambodia

I woke up at 4am to take this shot of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The sky was spectacular that morning and there's no post processing on this image.

Ayngelina

Ayngelina left her job, apartment, boyfriend and friends to travel solo throughout Central and South America. You can read about her adventures at Bacon is Magic, as she eats her way through Central and South America. You can follow her on Twitter @Ayngelina.

Omaru, New Zealand

I'm not a morning person, but I made a special attempt for the fascinating and photogenic Moeraki Boulders near Omaru, New Zealand.

Slope Point, New Zealand

A cool night got me up and about early near Slope Point, the southernmost point of New Zealand's South Island. Timing is everything in photography and the grass glowed as I caught the light at the right place and right time this morning.

Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

The Perhentian Islands along the east coast of Malaysia were my first taste of a so-called tropical paradise, and this sunrise was a stunner.

Dustin Main

Dustin Main is the author behind the Skinny Backpacker, a blog that offers the inside source on traveling around the world as a scrawny guy. His current itinerary starts in New Zealand, then Australia, North to SE Asia, west to Nepal, Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, Western Europe, then South America, Antarctica, and hopefully some time in Latin America before limping his way home. Have somewhere to suggest?  Someone I have to meet?  Let him know! You can find him on Twitter @skinnybackpackr.

Homer Tunnel, New Zealand

I was approaching Homer Tunnel, to get to Milford Sound, New Zealand, to go kayaking one morning. Just took it out the window with my point and shoot camera.

Ushuaia, Argentina

Overlooking the Beagle Channel in Ushuaia, Argentina, I woke up too late to catch the bus that morning but was rewarded with this view. It was worth being a day late.

Zanzibar

On the beach on the east side of Zanzibar. The tides were dramatic at this beach, as you can tell from the boat aground. It was so incredibly peaceful. Sunrises are definitely better than sunsets.

Michael Hodson

Michael just completed a sixteen month, round-the-world trip without taking a single plane.  His blog — One Lap, No Jetlag — is at www.mobilelawyer.blogspot.com and you can Twitter him at @mobilelawyer.

Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park (Utah, USA)

Sunrise in Monument Valley. One of the most peaceful places to wake up during our trip was in a tent at a primitive campsite in the middle of Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park in Utah. June 2009.

Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park (Utah, USA)

Another sunrise in Monument Valley.

Campo, Colorado (USA)

The beautiful thing about a road trip is that we can stop whenever we feel like it! So we did stop on the side of 287 near Campo, Colorado (population ~150) as the three of us watched the mighty sun rise in all its glory. August 2009.

Aye, Jack & Emma

Follow this fabulous family of three on their inspiring blog Got Passport: Will Travel. Will Serve and follow them on Twitter @gotpassport as they prepare to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand this summer.

Mexico City, Mexico

This is the sunrise from my upper floor Sheraton Centro Historico hotel suite. After a long night out of Tequila and Salsa, I arrived back late and before I closed the curtains and also my eyes, I snapped this photo. So as the day began for the city, my yesterday had just finished. Que Bueno!

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica

At the PB Pacifica my balcony provided a view of the sunrise. To me, that seemed odd, as the resort complex in the back right was part of the PB Sunset. On this stretch of Baja in Los Cabos, Mexico Pueblo Bontino covers both sunrise and sunset.

Bali

In Bali, I actually used the jet lag to wake up early and watch the sunrise. Heck I even took in a few early morning yoga stretches. No I didn't spend my time in Kuta Beach when I watched the sunrise...not sure I'd ever be up that early.

Craig Zabransky

Craig traveled across 40 states and 30 countries both as a global management consultant and with a backpack on a RTW (round the world) adventure. Still traveling, he now shares his my stories on how to enjoy the journey by writing tales of travel and adventure to inspire you to take and make adventure in your life.

Yes, he sat on the Fox and Friends couch and has been interviewed on Sirius Radio twice about following your passion, but he is probably most proud of his recent publishing in the Shanghai Metro (he scored a print job). You can follow him on his blog www.stayadventurous.wordpress.com and tune in every Sunday for a sunset image. For him, the sunrise usually occurs way too early and he believes in the magic of the sunset.

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  • http://www.vagabondquest.com/ Dina VagabondQuest

    Wow Monica, I'm glad you make this post! These photos are so stunning!! Ushuaia (Argentina) and Omaru (New Zealand) are the winners I think, but difficult to say, my opinion changes every time I see the photos! So true about the reason sunrise photos are rare, that's why I only have 1 sunrise photo while I have many of sunsets! It's more like I don't sleep in the night rather than wake up early in the morning, haha.That time in Mt. Fuji we actually hiked up to watch the sunrise. We probably slept an hour or two outdoor. Every body there woke up for sunrise, and we had a “banzai” together.

  • http://www.wild-about-travel.com/ Simon

    Whoooosh! These sunrise photos are really jaw-dropping! This one of my favorite posts ever!
    And I found out new, amazing bloggers worth to be followed.
    Thanks Monica. And a Hip Hip Hurrah! :-)

    Simon
    http://www.wild-about-travel.com

  • http://www.GotPassport.Org GotPassport

    incredible photos from around the world..thanks a million for including us, Monica!

  • Brianne

    They're all amazing, Monica… definitely worth the wait! I'm honored to be a part of this collection =)

  • suzyguese

    Gorgeous collection here Monica. Love the Oman sunrise. Passing this post along to my sister who paints skies like these for a living.

  • http://www.MyBeautifulAdventures.com/ GlobalButterfly

    AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish that I was a morning person and was able to see more sunrises. My favorite that I've ever seen was in Alice Springs, Australia from a hot air balloon ride! Each of these photos is so special, I can't pick a favorite.

  • kirstenalana

    Verrry amazing!!!!! I feel as if I just went on a mini RTW. REALLY enjoyed all these photographs and quite happy I could contribute a few myself – as many have pointed out, a sunrise is far more challenging to be around for than a sunset! Thanks for allowing me to be included in this Monica! GREAT company to be a part of!!!

  • http://twitter.com/OverYonderlust Erica Kuschel

    AHHHH! This is so amazing! I can only hope to be able to create amazingness like this when we go on our trip. SO AWESOME. Great collection Monica!

  • http://twitter.com/OverYonderlust Erica Kuschel

    AHHHH! This is so amazing! I can only hope to be able to create amazingness like this when we go on our trip. SO AWESOME. Great collection Monica!

  • monica530

    Thanks Erica! I'm absolutely sure you will but when it comes to sunrises, I think you might have to sacrifice a few hours of sleep to capture it. I'm sure it's well worth it though. :)

    Looking forward to hearing about all your travels. I'll be living vicariously through you.

  • monica530

    Thank YOU for sharing your amazing photography. Next theme: Temples! I'm going to start working on that next week.

  • monica530

    I know me too! They're all so incredible. I'm doing a temples theme for the next collection. Do you have any to share?

  • monica530

    I LOVE painting the sky too. I just wish I was better at it. Lol

  • monica530

    Thank YOU for sharing your talent with us! I'm going to make my next theme: temples.

  • monica530

    Thank YOU for the photos. This has turned out to be so much fun & everyone seems to be loving it. Get ready for the temple themed collection!

  • monica530

    I'm so glad you enjoyed. My next photo collection is going to be on temples. Feel free to submit photos you'd like to share.

  • monica530

    I'm happy you enjoy them. I love looking at it too. Next photo collection is going to be on temples. If you have any, feel free to submit them.

  • http://www.vagabondquest.com/ Dina VagabondQuest

    What kind of temples you are looking for? Anything? From Greek to Balinese to Japanese etc?

  • http://www.MyBeautifulAdventures.com/ GlobalButterfly

    Oh absolutely! Do I just pick 1 country? What email address should I send
    it to? :)

    In a message dated 5/8/2010 1:01:56 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
    writes:

    monica530 wrote, in response to GlobalButterfly:

    I know me too! They're all so incredible. I'm doing a temples theme for
    the next collection. Do you have any to share?

    Link to comment:
    http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/2010/05/...

    —–
    Options: Respond in the body to post a reply comment.

    To turn off notifications, go to: http://disqus.com/account/notifications/

  • monica530

    You can send it to monicawong530@gmail.com and you can pick as many
    countries as you like. :)

    Be sure to include the location of the temple, a short description, a bio &
    profile picture of yourself for me to include at the end.

    —–
    Monica Wong
    Macaulay Honors College At Cuny Baruch College
    Zicklin School of Business '09
    Cell: 917.698.8397
    Email: monicawong530@gmail.com
    Twitter: @monica530

  • monica530

    Any kind of temples with the location & a short description. Doesn't matter where it's from. I can't wait to see it!

  • http://www.beatravelbee.com Joya

    These are so beautiful! Thanks for putting this together.

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  • Angeline

    If I got some more jaw-dropping sunrise photos, how can I add to you?

  • http://www.wanderingtrader.com WanderingTrader

    The one from argentina is the one that sticks out in my mind.. wow.. look at how bright it is. I wonder if that has to do with the clear skies down there… plan on heading there very soon! :)

  • http://www.hotelssydney.com.au/ Hotels Sydney

    The Palawan sunrise is wonderful. It’s amazing that you can walk upto a mile when the tide is out. I’d love to experience that sunrise.

  • Pingback: Sunsets from around the world | Vagabond Quest

  • http://www.theroamantics.com Lorna – the roamantics

    great collection! and i can say with certainty that i’ve just seen more sunrises here than i’ve seen in years ;) so that’s what i’ve been missing?! worth getting my butt up for at least during the upcoming rtw. hope i’m able to capture them a fraction as well as these peeps have. love it.

  • http://www.travelproducts.com/mexico/electric.html Fiona

    These are all fabulous! How to pick a favorite..?

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  • Anonymous

    The Great Barrier Reef Australia is a wonder of Mother Nature in Australia. A number of travellers visit this amazing attraction for their holidays and explore what nature has in store for them. Head towards Australia by: http://www.travelhouseuk.co.uk/flights/australia_newzealand/australia.htm. The sunset view is something to be a witness of at the Great Barrier Reef.