las penitas

An Ode to Memorable Sunsets

Lost, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever.

As a photographer, seeking out the golden hour can mean the difference between being at the right place at the wrong time and the right place at the right time. Once sunset a couple of years ago, I found myself at the scenic Pacific coast of Nicaragua, far before the turmoil began there. I count myself lucky to have found one of the two golden hours.

Las Peñitas
Nicaragua

Last Rays

“Hark, now hear the sailors cry,
Smell the sea, and feel the sky,
Let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic."

A wave swooshed over the rock in front of me, erasing the thousands of footsteps that ambled along that warm sandy beach along the Pacific shoreline of Las Penitas in Nicaragua. The last rays of the sun cast a deep orange glow in the sky, signally the end to a wonderful week of traveling around the beautiful country.

When I look back at this photo, I can still hear the sound of crashing water from every wave, and the sweet smell of salty air with every breeze.

Las Penitas
Nicaragua

Splash of Color

It was mesmerizing to watch the waves barrage endlessly onto the rocks. The rush of water loudly marching towards the rocky outcrop, followed by the thunderous roar of the crash, an explosive burst through the fissures, followed by the salty spray, all in one beautiful poetic motion accompanied by the orchestra of water.

While the golden sands of this peaceful beach in Las Penitas in Nicaragua may seem inviting, the country is going through a period of rough political unrest, with no end in sight. What was once one of the safest Latin American countries to travel to is anything but. Here is to hoping that the situation changes for the better, for the people of Nicaragua, and for the travelers of the world. Meanwhile, the graceful act of the water, wind and gravity working together on this lazy evening in Nicaragua will continue on.

Las Penitas
Nicaragua