Dawn. Beginning.

I often hear people wanting to watch the sunrise, be it on road trips, camping trips, backpacking trips... You name it. I wonder why.

Jeongdongjin Beach, South Korea-16/01/2014

I'm a late riser, and the thought of arising before daylight sets in, braving the cold morning mists, or chilly sea winds with all its warmth sucked out of it by a night's worth of darkness to see the great flaming fireball rise across the Eastern horizon just sends chills down my skin. The only perk I get is being able to get many swoon-worthy shots.

Translation: Today's time of sunrise.
Jeongdongjin Beach, South Korea-16/01/2014

However, most of the time I force myself to do it, I am not disappointed.

I am curious how people feel when watching the sunrise.

Is it a reminder that no matter how dark the night, the sun will always rise; that no matter how tough situations get, better times always lie ahead?

Jeongdongjin Beach, South Korea-16/01/2014

Or does it serve as a reminder that time is short and nothing lasts forever; that the beautiful sunrise only lasts but for a fleeting moment?

Jeongdongjin Beach, South Korea-16/01/2014

Or does it symbolize a new beginning, the dawn of a new day, with new things in store?

Jeongdongjin Beach, South Korea-16/01/2014

It varies with people, but what I see is hope. Hope for a better future, hope to live life to the fullest.

I think everyone should watch the sunrise at least once in their lifetime, a reminder that if hope is present, there is nothing to fear.

Backstory: 

EL and I visited Jeongdongjin on our backpacking trip in 2014, a small town on the east coast of South Korea and a popular destination to watch the sunrise. We took a midnight train service from Seoul and reached Jeongdongjin around 4 a.m. There are a few cafes near the beach where people usually go to wait for the sunrise. The most popular cafe would be Sun Cafe, where the Sweet Potato Couple, Yonghwa and Seohyun visited when filming the South Korean variety show "We Got Married". We expected Sun Cafe to be full when we arrived, so we opted for another cafe instead.

We did get to visit Sun Cafe for breakfast after watching the sunrise. The cafe interior is woody rustic, and very homely as well. A pretty good place to recharge, especially after a whole night on the train and getting up really early.

Fourth day home and it doesn't seem right...

For the past one month I have been waking up every day full of anticipation, wondering what was in store; new places to see, new faces to meet. Now I wake up expecting to spend the whole day at home on my tail, and of course that doesn't seem very exciting...

I miss life on the go...

I wish I could continue on the adventure forever. Unfortunately all good things must end. 

Of course, without an ending there will never be a new beginning, and I will always be looking out for my next adventure.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, New South Wales, Australia-1/1/2015

Thank you

It's a bit late, but thank you.

Thank you for being with me through ups and downs for the past one month, for standing by me despite all my shortcomings (laziness and forgetfulness to name a few...) Hope you are having a good time on your adventure. And here is to more adventures ahead!

Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia-8/1/2015