Sunset Off the Coast of California

This was a picture I took from a cruise ship along the coast of California over Spring Break. I was fascinated by how quickly the sun disappeared. I knew I was facing west (sun rises in the east, sets in the west) but I was curious about the following questions:
-What is the average time for the sun to start and finish its descent?
-Do all sunsets appear the same no matter where you go on the planet?
-How do our sunsets compare to those of other plantets?
-Are the colors in a sunrise and a sunset different?

Can you answer any of these questions?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone