A golden hour memory from Thailand, and the distinct beauty of a sunset over the sea.
Here on the East Coast of Australia, we’re accustomed to watching the sun dip behind the land, painting the western sky. There’s a familiar rhythm to it. But there’s a unique kind of magic in witnessing that golden hour unfold directly over the ocean, especially when you’re far from home and experiencing it with fresh eyes.
This particular moment was captured during a trip to Koh Chang, Thailand, way back in December 2005. I still recall how the vivid colours and the gentle fading of light over the vast expanse of water felt so different, almost exotic, compared to the sunsets I’d grown up with. It wasn’t just the geography; it was the whole atmosphere that seemed to shift.
I remember shooting this with my trusty Canon KissN – an old favourite that served me well for many years. The camera seemed to drink in the deeply saturated colours of that evening, translating them into a perfect, warm glow in the image. The tranquil shores of Koh Chang, with their palms and quiet beaches, provided the ideal foreground and an incredibly peaceful setting for that moment. For a little while, as the light softened and the colours deepened, time itself seemed to stretch and slow down.
It’s fleeting experiences like these – witnessing sunsets over unfamiliar waters, in different corners of the world – that always deepen my appreciation for both the profound beauty of travel and the quiet art of photography. There’s something about seeing a familiar daily event, like a sunset, in an entirely new context that genuinely shifts your perspective, reminding you of the varied textures and colours of the world, and sometimes, even of yourself.
Camera: Canon KissN
Location: Koh Chang, Thailand
When: December 2005
