Sun Moon Lake Travelogue — Sunrise on the Hanbi Trail

August 7, 2010 — Sun Moon Lake Travelogue, Part 5 of 6: Sunrise on the Hanbi Trail

Canon EOS 500D 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 + Speedlite YN-468

What time do office workers usually get up and head out? Seven at the latest, I suppose. On weekends, surely sleeping until ten to catch up on some rest isn’t asking too much…

I had taken the day off especially to bring the kids out for some fun, so why was I getting up this early? Well, a photography hobby cools off pretty quickly without enough enthusiasm—and a little foolish determination—to keep it going.

The time was 6:05 a.m.

Sun Moon Lake scenery at 6:05 in the morning — At 6:05 a.m., the best of the dawn had already made its appearance.

If you were only just leaving your room to see the dawn, you might as well have gone back to sleep ~.~'" The sun had already appeared at 5:37.

I had set out a little after five and started down the Hanbi Trail.

The Hanbi Trail and Sun Moon Lake shoreline at dawn — Setting out after five to follow the Hanbi Trail toward sunrise.

And then a fine drizzle began falling from the morning sky ~.~'"

Sun Moon Lake in a light morning drizzle — Instead of clearing, the early sky greeted the walk with a fine drizzle.

I kept walking until—wait, why was brilliant light suddenly bursting out from behind the mountain?!

Morning light breaking from behind the mountains at Sun Moon Lake — A sudden burst of light behind the mountain sent me hurrying onward.

Oh, come on… Camera in hand, I took off running~~~

Brightening dawn on the way toward Chiang Kai-shek Pier — With the light changing fast, there was nothing to do but run with the camera.

I dashed all the way to Chiang Kai-shek Pier below Meihe Garden and arrived just in time for sunrise.

Sunrise over Sun Moon Lake beside Chiang Kai-shek Pier — The dash to Chiang Kai-shek Pier paid off with a glimpse of sunrise.

The golden morning light was gone almost as soon as it appeared. After barely five minutes, it vanished behind the clouds again .

Golden morning light fading behind clouds — The golden light lasted about five minutes before slipping behind the clouds.

A little farther ahead was the “Happiness Connection,” where Ci’en Pagoda, Xuanguang Temple, and Lalu Island line up across the view.

Lake and distant landmarks viewed from the Happiness Connection — From the “Happiness Connection,” landmarks across the lake align with the view.

Anyone who missed those five minutes was left with nothing but the calm lake…

Calm Sun Moon Lake after the sunrise — Once the golden light was gone, the lake settled back into calm.

On the way back, I passed the Jesus Church, which was originally built for Chiang Kai-shek and his wife.

Jesus Church seen on the return along the Hanbi Trail — The return walk passed the Jesus Church on the Hanbi Peninsula.

Next came Meihe Garden. Hmm… this used to be their private garden too.

Meihe Garden beside the Hanbi Trail — Meihe Garden was another stop on the morning loop.

After completing the loop around the Hanbi Trail, I returned to the hotel and took one more photo from the terrace outside the lobby. Then it was back to the room for a nap .