"Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, the day can end beautifully." - Kristen Butler. Never have I seen so many stunning sunsets than in Palau. Here is a gallery of my favorites.
The Sun Will Rise Again
Medical mission trips are so rewarding! They are also really hard. Early mornings (usually in a very different time zone), paired with long hours of focus while standing on achy feet. Then, after the patients have all gone home, committing even more time each day, making sure to be organized and have supplies replenished ahead of time. Then start again the next morning, and do it all over again.
Which is why it can be hard to commit to getting up even earlier each day. But in this case, it so worth it. Because just a short walk away was this.
Each and every morning the stunning beauty caught me by surprise. It didn't seem real. And as a visitor from Oregon, I'm quite used to holding my breath as I dip a toe in, expecting it to be freezing cold. So I'd always brace myself! But not this water. It was warm as water in your bathtub.
Not another soul around. Just me and the fish, which I could see easily through the crystal clear water. These peaceful mornings, swimming in the warm, open ocean, is one of my favorite memories of this trip.
Sunsets
My days were filled with wonderful moments: meeting patients and their families, assisting the doctor with procedures, and getting to participate in follow-up appointments. Yet for every one of us on the team, a highlight of the day was getting to see the sunset.
Each one was technicolor bright, yet wildly different. What started out as pretty turned stunning, and moved into intensely gorgeous. Every single night there would be others on the beach, taking photos along with me. It was like a free light show!
Here are some of my favorites.
Thank you for checking out my gallery of Palau sunsets.
Learn more about my experience in Palau, including exploring under the sea, meeting the locals and Palau's role in World War II.
Happy travels!