Meet Wala: The Navigator's Guide to Spontaneous Travel

Hi there! I’m Wala, and I’m the guy who wakes up at 4 AM to chase sunrises around the world. Some people think I’m crazy, but I think they’re missing out on the most magical moments of the day.

The Sunrise That Changed Everything

My obsession with sunrises started in college, during a study abroad program in Florence. I was jet-lagged and couldn’t sleep, so I decided to walk around the city at 5 AM. The streets were empty, the light was golden, and I felt like I had the entire city to myself.

That morning, I watched the sun rise over the Duomo, and something clicked. I realized that the best moments in life happen when most people are still asleep. The world is quieter, more peaceful, and somehow more beautiful in those early morning hours.

Why I Chase Sunrises

People always ask me why I’m so obsessed with sunrises. Here’s the thing - sunrises are the perfect metaphor for life. They’re:

Unpredictable. No two sunrises are ever the same. The colors, the clouds, the atmosphere - it’s always different.
Brief. You have a small window to capture the magic, and then it’s gone forever.
Worth the effort. Getting up early is hard, but the reward is always worth it.
Universal. No matter where you are in the world, the sun rises every day.

My Photography Philosophy

I don’t just take photos - I try to capture feelings. When I’m behind the camera, I’m not just documenting what I see, I’m trying to share the experience of being there.

The Golden Hour Rule

The golden hour (the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset) is when the light is soft, warm, and magical. It’s when everything looks its best. But here’s the secret - the best photos often happen in the blue hour, that time just before sunrise when the sky is a deep blue and the world is still quiet.

Patience is Everything

I’ve waited hours for the perfect shot. In Santorini, I spent three mornings in the same spot waiting for the perfect cloud formation. In Iceland, I stood in freezing temperatures for 45 minutes to capture the Northern Lights. The best photos don’t happen by accident - they happen when you’re patient enough to wait for the perfect moment.

Tell a Story

Every photo should tell a story. When I look at my photos, I want to remember not just what I saw, but how I felt. The cold morning air, the sound of waves crashing, the smell of coffee from a nearby café - all of that goes into the photo.

My Approach to Spontaneous Travel

People think I’m spontaneous, but that’s not quite right. I’m prepared for spontaneity. I always have my camera ready, I research the best sunrise spots before I go anywhere, and I’m always looking for the unexpected.

The 4 AM Rule

If I’m in a new city, I’m up at 4 AM on the first day. I want to see the city wake up, to experience it before the tourists arrive, to find the hidden spots that only locals know about.

Follow the Light

I plan my days around the light. If the sunrise is at 6:30 AM, I’m there at 6:00. If the sunset is at 8:00 PM, I’m planning my evening around that. The light determines everything.

Talk to Locals

The best sunrise spots aren’t in guidebooks - they’re in the memories of locals who have lived there their whole lives. I always ask hotel staff, taxi drivers, and random people I meet where they go to watch the sunrise.

My Favorite Sunrise Spots (So Far)

Santorini, Greece - Watching the sun rise over the caldera is like watching the world being born.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia - The ancient temples silhouetted against the rising sun is pure magic.
Bagan, Myanmar - Hot air balloons floating over thousands of temples at sunrise is unforgettable.
Machu Picchu, Peru - The sun rising over the ancient Incan city is spiritual.
Iceland - The sun rising over glaciers and waterfalls is otherworldly.

The Gear I Can’t Live Without

Canon EOS R5 - My main camera body
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L - My go-to lens for most situations
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L - For those distant shots
Manfrotto tripod - Essential for sunrise photography
ND filters - For long exposures and creative effects
Extra batteries - Cold weather drains batteries fast
Headlamp - For those 4 AM hikes

What I’ve Learned About Travel

Slow Down

The best experiences happen when you slow down. Don’t try to see everything - pick a few things and really experience them.

Embrace the Unexpected

Some of my favorite photos happened when everything went wrong. The time I got lost in Tokyo and found a hidden temple. The day it rained in Santorini and I discovered a cozy café with the best view in town.

Connect with People

The best part of travel isn’t the places - it’s the people. I’ve made friends all over the world, and many of them started with a simple conversation about photography.

Document Everything

Take photos, write in a journal, record voice memos. You’ll want to remember these moments forever.

My Advice for Aspiring Travel Photographers

Start local. You don’t need to travel far to practice. Your hometown has beautiful sunrises too.
Learn the technical stuff. Understanding aperture, shutter speed, and ISO will help you capture the shots you envision.
Develop your eye. Look at other photographers’ work, study composition, and practice seeing the world differently.
Be patient. The best photos don’t happen quickly. Sometimes you have to wait hours for the perfect moment.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different angles, different times of day, different techniques.
Share your work. Post your photos, get feedback, and connect with other photographers.

The Future of Sevenize

I’m excited about what we’re building with Sevenize. We’re not just sharing pretty pictures - we’re sharing the real experience of travel. The early mornings, the missed shots, the moments when everything comes together perfectly.

I want to help other people discover the joy of sunrise photography, the magic of spontaneous travel, and the beauty of seeing the world through a different lens.

Join Me on the Journey

If you’re interested in travel photography, sunrise chasing, or just want to see the world through my eyes, follow along with our adventures. I’ll be sharing tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and of course, lots of beautiful photos.

And if you’re ever in a new city at 4 AM, look for me. I’ll be the one with the camera, waiting for the perfect light.

What’s your favorite time of day to explore a new place? Let me know in the comments below!

Follow my photography journey on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.