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Top Three Places to see the Sunrise

October 06, 2009
by Wendy
Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Dune 45, Israel, Masada, Namib Desert, Namibia, sunrise
3 Comments

So, given how painful we find it to drag ourselves out of bed before the sun does, it has to be actually worth the effort.  Here are the top three places we were actually glad we made ourselves get out of bed “in the middle of the night”…

First on our list, at number three:

Lining up to photograph the sunrise over Angkor Wat
Lining up to photograph the sunrise over Angkor Wat
3)Angkor Wat, Cambodia – You’re picked up at your hotel in what seems to be the middle of the night.  The sway of the tuk tuk has you almost dozing by the time you reach the entrance.  Good news – it’s only a short walk inside where you gather with a couple hundred of your new best friends  who are all waiting for the same thing you are.  You start to wonder why on
Sunrise over Angkor Wat, Camabodia
Sunrise over Angkor Wat, Camabodia
Earth you dragged yourself out of bed just to hang out with a whole bunch of other tourists…when the first rays creep over the horizon and a pink halo emerges around Angkor.  Then you forget how tired you were just a second ago – you’re too busy trying to catch your breath.

Next on our list, at number two:

The cable car at Masada is not open early in the morning, so if you want to see the sun rise, you have to hike up.
The cable car at Masada is not open early in the morning, so if you want to see the sun rise, you have to hike up.
2) Masada, Israel: You pull into the parking lot in the dark.  You crane your neck up and see the chairlift, high above – taunting you.  The trail is easy at first.  Wide and well marked, it starts out fairly level.  Quickly it turns steeper and then steeper still, until your panting mingles with the panting of the others making the climb.  The darkness starts to fade and you climb faster and
Sunrise over the Dead Sea
Sunrise over the Dead Sea
faster, anxious to beat the sun.  You reach the top just in time to see the first rays of the sun play over the Dead Sea – a brilliant orange blaze beating back the darkness of a desert night.

What’s the best part of a cold night spent in a tent?  Climbing out of it in the morning!  And that’s just how you’ll start your day when you’re ready for the number one place to see the sunrise:

Sunrise over Dune 45, Namibia
Sunrise over Dune 45, Namibia
1) Dune 45, Namib Desert, Namibia – You drive through the darkness, with only the headlights of the other vehicles shepherding tourists to the dune to keep you company.  You can see your breath in the air and your feet feel heavy as you trudge through the sand trying to stay along the ridge.  The desert is silent except for the huffing and puffing of the other tired tourists around you.  You struggle to keep up, and keep your eyes off the ever growing drop-off you’re walking along.  By the time you finally reach the top, your legs are like Jello and you’re regretting that gym membership you passed on. 

Sunrise, Dune 45, Namibia
Sunrise, Dune 45, Namibia
Then, the sun creeps over the crest of a far off dune, and the first rays break through the black of night.  With darkness lifting, the fog still blankets the valley floor, but slowly the sun rises higher and the fog beats its retreat as the rays illuminate another dune and the shadows dance on the waves of sand.

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3 Comments
  1. Mark H October 6, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    What a great list and such an excellent idea. I’ve seen none of these places but a few great sunrises I have seen are: Grand Canyon (as the rays slowly light the reds and oranges of the canyon), on African safari (the dust sends the sky a bright orange with silhouettes of trees and early grazers), outback Australia (similar to the Africa situation), Machu Picchu (just the sheer majesty of the place as first light clears the mist enough to see this remarkable Incan city).

    [Reply]

    Wendy replied on October 6th, 2009 8:10 pm:

    Thank you! We went on safari in Botswana and saw lots of glorious sunrises! Definitely agree! There’s something about the stillness of the dawn! Didn’t make it to the Grand Canyon for sunrise – that must be awesome! We haven’t made it to Australia or Peru yet! Something to look forward to!

    [Reply]

  2. Dave and Deb October 12, 2009 at 8:20 am

    Ahh the sunset. It is so hard to nail down the best ut it looks like you have done that. For me Bali will always have the best sunsets in the world, but it looks like Namibia would give it some tough competition.

    [Reply]

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