From the East Coast

After a long long time, I saw a sunset and had the opportunity to click. On my way back from Mahabalipuram to Chennai, just by the roadside.

Sunset in the Kerala Backwaters

From the boat on the Kollam Allepey boat ride.

Lodi Gardens

From the rooftop of the erstwhile pilgrims shelter of the Bada Gumbad mosque in Lodi Gardens. The post is also on my Delhi walking blog - http://footlooseindilli.blogspot.com

From in between the leaves of a palm tree.

Domes of the Bada Gumbad mosque. Photo Courtesy: Rachel Leven

Zardung

A grand campsite on the Kang La Trek, Zardung had a perfect sunset. The clouds were fluffy, white, in the right direction and just about the right amount.

Bakluddu

Many a pervert would get a smile on their face reading the title here. No luck, ladies and gents. Its an innocuous rock overhang of a cave in the Dhauladhars. Incidentally, it also has a good sunset view.

Long time!

Alright, I am still alive and so is this blog. Long time since I posted here. I have been away most summer, trekking around Himachal. You can see the results of all that at www.trekhimachal.com and read the stuff at www.trekhimachal.com/newsite/blog.

As a result, of course, I have not seen too many sunsets in the valley. The high mountains, while they are unsurpassed in beauty have what I call a sunhide rather than a sunset. A few days ago, just back from the Bada Bhangal trek, which was an epic in itself, I saw a sunset right from my yard.

Near Bir

Dont remember exactly where, somewhere near Bir in Kangra valley.

Living upto its Billing

Billing is a high ridge right above the Bir valley in Himachal. Standing there and watching the valley below is like standing on a high table and seeing the floor. I have been to Billing almost once every month in the last 6 months. Each time, it made me feel like camping overnight and watching the sunset. Last trek, I got to do exactly that.

Oh! and did I tell you they paraglide from there?

Imambara Lucknow

This is from the terrace of the Bara Imambara in Lucknow. The west part of the terrace looks out on the old city of Lucknow.

From my mobile

Last trek, I was sitting at Triund. Some people never learn. I had given up on the sunset and put off my SLR and was sipping a cup of tea with my back facing West. Then, I accidentally dropped my cell and picking it up, looked back. The sunset was gorgeous but it was about to end. I did not have enough time to rush to my SLR (which was more than 250 metres away), bring out the tripod, rush to the ridge where I would see it best. So, I decided to just rush and have a look. Then used the cell to capture the sunset. Its from a mobile plus I am a pathetic photographer. The sunset was still fantastic.

Finally!! at Muktinath

The last few days, as I trekked the Annapurna circuit in Nepal, sunsets in Kangra Valley took a backseat. I was desperate to see a sunset on the circuit. So much so, that one of the days, I actually walked out to the balcony of the lodge I was staying in and shouted "O Nepal, cant thee show me one good sunset?". Ok, I dint exactly do that but I almost wanted to. For all its beauty, the trek was in deep gorges, so the sun never exactly rose and set. As the Thorong La pass was crossed, we entered the wide Kali Gandaki valley. The sun set behind the Dhaulagiri range, leaving streaks of light in all directions.

Subscription Fee

The other day, I was talking to a friend who told me his colleague's brother is a surfer and has a website. He posts the sunset at Bondi Beach, Australia on his website (I dont know at what frequency) and he has 30,000 subscribers, each of whom pay a subscription fee of AUS $1 per month. Now, thats huge!! I am posting below a sunset taken at Gurgaon a few months ago for souls like you. If you are flabbergasted, dont be, it is the same Gurgaon where 3 of the 4 followers of this blog either live or work. Sunsets happen at all places and if you can see the sun while it is setting, it will likely be very nice to look at. The only challenge is finding the time to do that. Can you? And if you can't, will you pay me the subscription fee? :)

Grey Shades

Sunset's grey shades at Palampur with 3 telecom towers and a bright spot.

From Guna Mata

Its a small temple up in the Dhauladhars, a 3 hour trek from Dharamkot. sun as it set on 22nd Jan 2010 from Guna Mata.

A Blue Moon and A Split Sun

Ever heard the phrase 'Once in a blue moon'? Ever wondered where does the expression 'blue moon' come from? Yes? Well, stop wondering then because I discovered it just after sunset near Masroor Temple ruins.


While the sun was setting, it sort of split itself along the diameter and the upper part started sliding off the lower one. Dont believe it? See for yourself.

Sunset at Kangra Fort

I visited the Kangra Fort today. It was a plesant surprise. Read about the trip here and the fort here. As is customary these days, I also saw the sunset there, just next to the fort, perched on a hilltop and then perched on the opposite hilltop across the stream. Here it is.

From the hill I perched on

The hill I perched on first and the fading evening, from the hill opposite

Bless the Clouds

They are what make any sunset special. Each day, they come in different shapes, sizes and patterns. And when then sun blesses them with its orange hue, the outcome is breathtaking. Just brilliant! Today's sunset from near Neugal Cafe in Palampur in reverse order.

Spot the moon.

The pink shades of life.

Misty Orange.

If you have reached this far on this post, might as well do me a favour. Suggest ways of shooting the sunset. Anything will do. Where from? What angles? How? Camera tips? Anything.

Off Topic

Sitting still. Sticking to one thing at a time. Not straying from the subject. These are things I cant seem to do. And when I have woken up at 6 am on a day just to get the sunrise, how can I not post it, even if that means that I am eating my words about this blog being only about the sets. From a field 50 yards away from home, I saw the sun rise today after a long time. I saw the world coming to life.

Sunset around a tree

5 km, on the hill opposite my home, across the stream. That was the sunset point for today. Went there before noon just to ensure the place was right and open. Was back there at 16:45. Found a leafless tree and fell in love with it. Took 376 shots, of which more than 85% had the tree in them. A leafless tree excites me no end. When, in a few moments, I upload the shots you are seeing below this text, the one thought that will pass my mind is how natural selection applies even to photos. 376 whittled down to 244 to 230 to 190 and down to the very few below. Without getting deeper into these thoughts, which are reserved for The Confused and The Wandering, here is what the sun said to me today before the goodbye.

Sun much before it went down

A little later, just about to set

Its setting now, sparing the tree for a moment

Half way there

After the sunset, the sky is colouring now

Some rocks glow like embers

Rocket shooting in the sky?

Sunsetophilia

The name is self explanatory and a small background is here. So, without much preamble, here are today's 2. I have tried one from a non favourite location. Tried to go higher up and ended up sacrificing some clarity. Nonetheless, I tried something. Tomorrow onwards, whenever possible, I will find a new location to click the sunset from. When I am on a trek and I see a great sunset, it will come right here. If you want to see some other photos apart from the sunset, see this.