Twilight spread across the heavens like a spilt glass of merlot at a poet’s convention.
Unlike the first part of this 2-part series, which focused predominantly on bush sunrises and sunsets, this post looks at how different the light is at the coast.
Looking across the bay from The Strand as the sun sinks low in the evening sky.
In the Lowveld, the sun does not sink gently, but plummets from light to darkness in just a few short minutes.
At the coast, the sun seems to linger. The light grows more spectacular as it struggles to remain just above the horizon.
As evening painted the sky in fifty shades of orange, the world paused to admire nature’s most overused metaphor.
Between the darkness and the light.
As the last rays of sunlight kissed the earth goodnight, the stars queued patiently in the wings, waiting for their cue.
A young boy jogs along a Zanzibar beach as the sun says farewell to the day.
The sunset burned like a thousand forgotten love letters set aflame upon the edge of the world.
From a hotel rooftop in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
The sunset melted across the horizon like butter on a hot scone, warm, comforting, and entirely unnecessary to describe in such detail.
The true meaning of sundowner drinks.
You cannot replicate this light with technology.
Many years ago, when I was a theatrical lighting technician, I was asked to replicate a particular type of sunset for a director. She was adamant that I would be able to do it with the limited equipment at my disposal.
When I asked her what her reference was, she said that it was the opening of a John Denver TV special. I had seen that special, and I had to bite my tongue when I told her that that sunset was an ACTUAL sunset, and not man-made…
The sun stretched its golden fingers across the sleeping earth, awakening every flower, bird, and hopeful soul to the promise of a brand-new day.
A glorious sweep of colour with the waves just visible in the foreground.
And back to The Strand…
The sun rose like a golden phoenix, carrying on its wings the dreams of yesterday and the possibilities of tomorrow.
I could not leave the Lowveld out entirely…
One of the best and most unexpected sunsets I have been grateful to witness.
Whether you are alone, with someone you care about, or perhaps a group of strangers at a game lodge, each of these special moments can be made memorable for reasons either positive or negative.
My takeaway from all of these has been positive, and I do hope that, as you have looked through my images, you have been reminded of surprises and sunsets that have been meaningful and memorable for you,
Travel & Things is the proud winner of these prestigious awards from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife.
The awards are in the categories:
Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa
Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.
Best African Resorts and Retreats Award 2025.
And the most recent accolade… Most engaging Travel & Lifestyle Blog 2026.
To see who the guests have been since this YouTube channel launched, click on the logo above.
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“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
Edgar Bergen
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