Reviewed by: RK2
During my personal trip to the Big Island, I participated in this tour. I usually don't join tours, but after researching, I realized that going to the summit of Mauna Kea, which is over 4,000 meters high, is quite challenging on your own, so I decided to take this tour.
As a result, my concerns about being rushed, which is common with tours, were completely unfounded. I was able to enjoy the sunset and stargazing in a relaxed atmosphere, creating wonderful memories.
They picked me up by van at my hotel, and while enjoying the lively talk from the guide and the magnificent nature views from the window, we headed towards Mauna Kea.
First, we stopped at the Onizuka Business Center on the slopes of Mauna Kea, where we had a bento box and warm miso soup. After acclimatizing to the altitude for about an hour, we set off for the summit of Mauna Kea. There were unpaved gravel roads along the way, which would be quite difficult to drive on your own. Considering the various risks, I thought it was wise to join a tour like this.
When we reached the summit area, we borrowed cold-weather gear and enjoyed the sunset. After the sunset, we did some stargazing a little further down the mountain. The air was incredibly clear, and looking up at the night sky, I saw a sky full of twinkling stars. It was very moving. The guide's explanations of the stars using a laser pointer were very easy to understand, so even if you're not knowledgeable about stars, it’s no problem at all. We also took commemorative photos with the stars and Kilauea Volcano in the background, and the entire tour was satisfying from start to finish.
I definitely want to participate again when I visit the Big Island.
個人旅行でハワイ島を訪れた際に、こちらのツアーに参加しました。普段、ツアーに参加することはほとんどないのですが、色々調べたところ、4000メートル級のマウナケアの山頂に個人で行くのは結構大変だということがわかり、こちらのツアーにお世話になりました。
結果、懸念していた、ツアーにありがちな時間に追われるといったことも全くなく、ゆったりとした時間のなかで、サンセット、星空観測を楽しむことができ、最高の思い出をつくることができました。
宿泊するホテルまでバンで迎えに来て頂き、車内でガイドさんの方の軽快なトークと車窓から眺める雄大な自然を楽しみながら、マウナケアを目指しました。
まずマウナケア山腹のオニヅカビジネスセンターというポイントで、幕の内弁当と暖かいお味噌汁を頂き、小一時間、高地に体を慣らした後、マウナケアの山頂に向けて出発です。途中、未舗装の砂利道もあり、もし個人で運転するとなれば相当大変です。様々なリスクを考えると、このようなツアーに参加して行くのが賢明と思いました。
頂上付近に着くと防寒具を借り、サンセットを鑑賞しました。サンセットの後は、少し山を下ったところで、星空観測をしました。空気はとても澄みきっており、夜空を見上げると満点の星が瞬いていました。とても感動しました。ガイドさんのレーザーポインタを使った星の説明が大変わかりやすく、星に疎くても全く問題ありませんでした。キラウエア火山をバックにいれた、星空との記念写真も撮って頂き、最初から最後まで満足のいくツアー内容でした。
またハワイ島を訪れた際には、ぜひ参加したいと思います。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | <4月限定>☆会員限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/05/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/04 |
Reviewed by: ひさた
At the end of 2015, I participated in a tour during my last trip to the US. I returned to Japan safely at the end of March, and now that I've finally settled down, I'm posting this.
The land of lava! Tropical creatures! The scenery! Everything was moving!
It was my first time at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, and I got there easily by car.
First, I was amazed by the sunset there.
After that, when darkness enveloped us, I finally understood that the Milky Way I learned about in textbooks was a galaxy of overlapping stars. I was deeply moved! You really can't convey that experience without seeing it with your own eyes.
And above all, I was impressed by our guide! Despite being in a very dangerous place (the car was severely damaged on the way back!), we were able to enjoy it safely and truly.
I will definitely go again. Thank you!
2015年末にUS赴任最後の旅行でツアー参加しました。3月末無事に日本に戻れ、ようやく落ち着いたので投稿です。
溶岩の大地!トロピカルな生物!景色!すべてが感動!
生まれて初めて標高4000m超、しかも車に乗って軽々と。
まずはそこでサンセットに感動。
その後闇に包まれてから見える天の川は教科書で習った銀河の星が折り重なったものであることをやっと教えてくれました。心の底から大感動!あればっかりは生の目で見ないとどうにもこうにも伝えようがないです。
そして何よりガイドさんに感動!かなり危険な場所(帰り道で車が大破してた!)であるにもかかわらず本当に本当に安全に楽しめました。
また必ず行きます。よろしく!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/05/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/12/27 |
Reviewed by: MAです
I first visited the Big Island of Hawaii 10 years ago, and since then, I've always wanted to join this tour to the summit of Mauna Kea for stargazing. However, my trips to the Big Island have always been decided at the last minute, so I couldn't participate in this popular tour. This time, I signed up as soon as my trip was confirmed, and I finally got to join.
The sunset viewed from 4,000 meters above sea level and the starlit sky from around 2,700 meters are breathtaking! You can only see this in the Big Island. Since it was the 27th day of the lunar month, there was no moonlight, and the stars were especially brilliant. It was cold, but I definitely want to participate again.
初めてハワイ島に行ったのは10年前ですが、その時からマウナケア山頂と星空観測があるこのツアーに参加したいと常に思っていました。
でも、ハワイ島に行くのが決まるのがいつも直前なので、人気のこのツアーに参加することは出来ず、今回は3旅行が決まってから早々に申し込み、やっと参加できました。
地上4000メートルから見る夕陽、2700メートル辺りから見る星空は、絶景‼️
ハワイ島でしか見られません。
丁度月齢が27日だったので、月明かりも
なく、特に星の輝きが凄ご〜い。
寒いけれど、また是非参加したいです。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/05 |
Reviewed by: 森田多美
I knew from a TV show that you can drive to a place over 4200 meters high, which is even higher than Mount Fuji, but I really wanted to go there myself! The day I participated, the weather was great, and I could see both the sunset and the stars clearly.
At the center where we stopped for altitude acclimatization, I was able to see the silver swords, a silver plant that only exists in the Himalayas and Mauna Kea. Luckily, I also saw some silver swords blooming, which are said to bloom only once every four years, making them very rare. They looked similar to butterbur, so I didn't take a photo, but I wish I had. (The image shows them before blooming.)
On the way to the summit, you can also see some quite unique scenery, like the Subaru Telescope and the red soil mountains. Depending on the weather, you might even see the red flames of Kilauea during the final stargazing explanation if you take a photo. If you have experience climbing Mount Fuji, you can't help but feel that you have to go here since it's so easy to reach such a high place! It was amazing!
富士山よりも標高が高い4200m越えの場所まで車で行けるのはテレビで以前見て
知っていましたが、実際に行ってみたい!と思い立ち参加させて頂きましが
本当に行くべきですね!
参加させていただいた日は天候もよく、夕陽も星もよく見えました。
高度順応のために立ち寄るセンターも、ヒマラヤ山脈とマウナケアでしか生息していない
silver swords(銀剣草)という銀色の植物を見ることができます。運よくこれいがいにお花が咲いている銀剣草も見られました。4年?に一度しか咲かないそうでとても珍しいそうです。
フキノトウに似ていたので写真を撮らなかったのですが、撮ればよかったです。
(画像は咲く前の状態です)
また頂上までには、すばる天文台や、赤土の山などなかなか珍しい景色や場所も見ることができます。天候によっては最後の星空解説の際に写真を撮るとキラウエアの赤い炎も見ることができます。 富士山登山経験があれば、こんなに楽に高い場所までこれるなんて行くしかない!って感じです。素晴らしかったです!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 1名様プラン |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/26 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/16 |
Reviewed by: Hide&Keiko
I felt a bit anxious about participating since we were going over 4000 meters at the summit of Mauna Kea, but thanks to our guide Matt's careful attention, I was able to enjoy the experience without any troubles and bring home wonderful memories!
After being picked up at the hotel, we set off towards Mauna Kea with a total of 10 people. At first, I was a bit taken aback by Matt's high energy, but his cheerful chants of "yoisho, korasho, dokkoisho" were quite delightful, and before we knew it, we arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center while enjoying the scenery from the car window. Here, we had an early dinner with warm miso soup and a bento box. After a break for altitude acclimatization, we headed to the summit.
That day, we were fortunate with the weather; it wasn't as cold as I had expected. Still, I was grateful for the down jacket and gloves that were provided. The sunset, with the sun sinking and changing the colors of the horizon's gradient, was a breathtaking sight from the 4000-meter summit.
The stargazing afterward was also enjoyable, and we were able to see Jupiter and the moon through a telescope with explanations. I was once again impressed by the flow of the tour, which highlighted unique points, the sense of security, and the professional guidance with photo opportunities and constellation explanations.
Thank you, Matt, for a truly enjoyable experience. If you visit the Big Island, I absolutely recommend the sunset at Mauna Kea; it offers a breathtaking view that you can't experience through shopping or dining. Aloha!!
マウナケア山頂4000m越えということで、多少の不安を感じての参加でしたが、ガイドのまっちゃんの細かい配慮のおかげでトラブルもなく楽しく感動の思い出を持ち帰る事ができました!
ホテルへお迎え後、総勢10名でマウナケアへ向けて出発。まっちゃんのハイテンションに最初は少し引いたものの「よいしょ、こらしょ、どっこいしょ」の掛け声が何とも愉快で、車窓の景色を楽しみながら、あっという間にオニヅカビジターセンター到着。
ここでは温かいお味噌汁とお弁当で早めの夕食。高度順応をかねて休憩後山頂へ。
この日は天候にも恵まれ思っていたほど寒くなく、それでも貸してもらえる上下セットのダウンや手袋帽子はありがたかったです。
沈んでゆく太陽の光が地平線のグラデーションの色を刻々とかえてゆくサンセット。
4000Mの山頂からみるサンセットはまさに息をのむ光景でした。
その後の星空観察も楽しく、美しい星空も望遠鏡で木星、月面を解説付きで見せて頂きました。
ツアーならではのポイントをおさえた流れと安心感に加えて写真撮影、星座解説などプロのガイドだなぁと改めて感心しました。
ガイドのまっちゃん、ありがとう、本当に楽しめましたよ。
ハワイ島に来たらマウナケアのサンセット絶対おすすめです、ショッピングや食事では味わえない心に残る光景が広がっています。
Aloha!!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | <4月限定>☆会員限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/15 |
Reviewed by: Peter Long
We went to the top, little lightheaded but no big deal. The stop at the lower altitude helps. Dinner was fun, just like going out camping, no frills, you get your portion and you eat it. Lasagna was actually very tasty, not overcooked, then back into the van( very comfortable), and up we go.
The summit was surreal, enveloped in the mist and clouds with large telescopes all around. We did not see the sunset because of the clouds. But it was still a great experience. We also had bad luck with star watching despite our driver's best efforts. At the end we were told that we will get a full refund minus our food ( $19). That was what convince me that the company stood behind its word. I plan to take the same trip as soon as I get back, and I will. I believe that given all the variables every trip is unique and worth taking. It was a great experience, we felt well taken care of and completely safe. Good job Veltra and our guide and driver Greg. Thank you.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/22 |
Reviewed by: みー。
It was a breeze to reach the summit while chatting with Mr. Kunisaki in the car, even though I was worried I might get car sick!
It was so much fun and became a lifelong memory. The sunset and the starry sky were incredible! Also, the delicious bento and warm miso soup (with green onions!) were great.
The warm tea and cookies we enjoyed under the starry sky overflowed with everyone’s hospitality!!
I’m so glad I went to Hawaii Island for my first overseas trip with my mother!
Thank you for the wonderful memories.
I’ll look for "Summer Love Triangle" in Japan too (laughs).
Also, the honey that Mr. Kunisaki recommended was super delicious! I only bought two, but I wish I had bought more (^ - ^).
お迎えの車から、国東さんと話しっぱなして、車酔いするかな?と思っていた山頂まであっという間でした!
凄く楽しく、一生の思い出になりました。
あんな夕日と、満天の星空!
あと、美味しかったお弁当&温かい味噌汁(ネギ入り!)
星空の下で頂いた、温かい紅茶とクッキー
皆さんの、おもてなしの気持ちが溢れていました!!
初めての母との海外旅行、ハワイ島に行って良かったです!
素敵な思い出をありがとうございました。
日本でも「夏の三角関係 」探してみます(笑)
あと、国東さんがオススメしてくれたはちみつスッゴク美味しかったです!
二個しか買わなかったけど、爆買すれば良かったなー(^-^)
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/06 |
Reviewed by: まきゆか
During the drive from the pickup location to Mauna Kea, we listened to the guide's explanations and interesting stories, making the long journey enjoyable. We had dinner at the Onizuka Visitor Center, where they provided miso soup, creating a warm and comforting moment. It was quite cold near the summit of Mauna Kea, but they lent us warm clothing, allowing us to take our time and enjoy the sunset. The weather was great, and we were able to see a beautiful sunset from the best spot; it was the most stunning sunset I have ever witnessed.
After the sun set, we descended to about 3,500 meters and enjoyed stargazing. The guide mentioned that since it was the day after a new moon, we could see stars up to magnitude 6, which is usually difficult to see. Starting with the North Star and the Big Dipper, we explored the twelve zodiac constellations, the Southern Cross, and the winter Milky Way, with the guide providing detailed explanations using a laser pointer while incorporating Greek mythology. Here, we were served warm tea and chocolate chip cookies, which helped warm our chilled bodies as we enjoyed the beautiful starry sky. Thank you to our guide, Matsuzaki-san, for this wonderful experience!
ピックアップ場所からマウナケアまでの車内でもガイドの方の説明や、面白い話を聞き、長旅ではあったが、楽しい道中でした。オニズカビジターセンターにて夕食のお弁当。お味噌汁なども用意されており、ほっと温まる時間でした。マウナケア山頂付近はかなり冷えていましたが、防寒着を上下貸してくれたので、ゆっくりと夕日を見ることができました。天気も良く、美しい夕日をベストスポットで見ることができ、今までで見たサンセットで1番美しい景色でした。
日が沈んでから山を3500m程のところまで降り、星空鑑賞をしました。 この日は新月の翌日で普段は難しい6等星まで見えるとガイドの方がおっしゃっていました。 北極星と北斗七星から始まり黄道12星座、南十字星、冬の天の川などギリシャ神話を交えながらレザーポインターを使って丁寧に説明して下さいました。ここでは温かい紅茶とチョコレートチップクッキーが振る舞われ、冷えた身体を暖めながら美しい星空を堪能できました。今回お世話になったガイドの松崎さん、ありがとうございました!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | <4月限定>☆会員限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/08 |
Reviewed by: せいちゃん
I joined a tour to see the starry sky. Since I don't have much knowledge about astronomy and I'm not confident in my physical strength, I chose the sunset option instead of the sunrise. The summit was above the sea of clouds, and thanks to that, I was able to see a wonderful sunset.
At the Onizuka Center along the way, I had an early bento, borrowed warm clothing, and was able to acclimate to the high altitude. It was very cold near the summit, but it was great that this tour provided separate warm clothing for the upper and lower body.
Since the time at the summit was limited, we did the stargazing on the way down at a small clearing. The Canopus, which I saw for the first time, was truly magnificent. However, I participated in mid-March when the first quarter moon was directly overhead, making it very bright, and I was unfortunately unable to see the nearby stars. Next time, I would like to come in the summer during the new moon to see the Milky Way.
満天の星を見たくツアーに参加しました。
天文知識がなく体力に自信もないことからサンライズでなくサンセットを選択しました。
頂上は雲海を抜けたところにあり、おかげさまですばらしいサンセットを見ることができました。
途中の鬼塚センターで、早めの弁当をいただき、防寒着を借り、十分高地になれることができ、ました。
頂上付近はとても寒かったですが、このツアーでは上下別々の防寒着を借りられたので良かったです。
頂上にいられる時間が制限されているということで、星空観測は降りる途中、少しの空き地で行いました。
初めて見たカノープスはとても素晴らしかった。
ただ参加したのは3月の中旬で上弦の月でが真上にあり、とてもまぶしく、近辺の星が見られず大変残念でした。
次回は夏の新月に天の川を見にきたいと思います。
Dear Seichan,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. Unfortunately, it seems the moon phase wasn't very favorable this time, but we hope you will join us next time to see the Milky Way during the summer new moon. All of our staff sincerely look forward to your next visit to the island.
Nobu
せいちゃん様
今回は弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきまして、ありがとうございました。生憎あまり月齢が良くなかったようですが、次回は是非に夏の新月に天の川を見にいらしてください。スタッフ一同またのご来島を心よりお待ちしております。ノブ
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/15 |
Reviewed by: Richard
My wife and I took this tour on April 7. The day was fairly cloudy with some showers so we were concerned we wouldn't enjoy the full experience. We were wrong.
Our guide Jim was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
The tour itself was great, from the information delivered during the ride there, the amazing sunset at almost 14,000 feet and some terrific stargazing through their own telescope with excellent info to help you understand what you were looking at.
The food was ok, brownie excellent.
Overall we would highly recommend this tour.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/07 |
Reviewed by: Winchan
I participated in a tour on March 27, 2016 (Sunday). It was a truly wonderful experience. I was very worried about the weather since the day before had been filled with heavy rain and thunderstorms, but on this day, it was sunny from the morning, which raised my expectations.
The guide for the day was "Macchan." He was very cheerful, full of interesting topics, and had exceptional photography skills. He guided us with a smile and energy without interruption until the end, and thanks to the great weather and this wonderful guide, I believe I had a precious and fantastic experience.
During the journey to the summit, he explained about the town, flora and fauna, and lava, and we had time to stop for commemorative photos. With the guide's camera, as well as the cameras of participants, we were able to switch quickly between great angles and shooting styles (flash, balance, etc.) with impressive skills, allowing participants to take not only selfies but also various wonderful photos.
Furthermore, with the guide's high-performance DSLR camera, we were able to capture the starry sky and group photos that couldn't be taken with digital cameras or smartphones, and they were made available for download from the web.
In addition to the beauty of the sunset and starry sky, the warm bento, miso soup, and tea we had during the altitude acclimatization time, this was the first tour where participants were continuously taken care of without interruption. Above all, I believe the greatness of this tour is supported by the guide.
I was glad I chose this tour because they provided cold-weather gear for everyone. Although there was a prior notice about preparing for the cold, at the summit of Mauna Kea, the cold and strong winds made my long sleeves, fleece jacket, and pants completely inadequate. Being able to put on the cold-weather jacket and overalls, along with a hat and gloves, during the acclimatization time was a great help.
On this day, the wind speed at the summit was 20 m/s (typhoon level). Many people had smartphones, but when operating the smartphone screen, it was necessary to take off gloves, which made my fingertips freeze and was quite painful. I recommend gloves that are responsive to touch, which can be found at 100 yen shops (like Daiso).
Despite the strong winds, the sunset reflecting on the sea visible below the sea of clouds was magnificent. Here too, the guide carefully adjusted the position of the vehicle to provide wind protection while quickly taking photos of everyone (it was full of surprises).
His claim that he could operate most cameras was not a lie.
The subsequent stargazing was also fantastic. During the preparation, we listened to songs related to the stars in the warm vehicle (which was very enjoyable), and when we got out of the car, we were greeted by a sky full of stars. It was said that stars up to magnitude 6 were visible, and we could see the Milky Way.
Just when I thought we would finish with commemorative photos and appreciation, there was a detailed explanation interwoven with stories about the constellations. The clear explanations using a laser pointer were truly moving.
In addition to the sky full of stars, we also saw satellites and shooting stars, which was another emotional experience.
I learned that depending on the time of the full moon or moonrise, stars may not be visible, and there are various conditions to consider. It is actually better to research properly in advance and think about whether to join a sunrise tour or a sunset tour. I was really lucky this time.
There were many fortunate aspects, and I was moved by the sunset and starry sky, and above all, I was grateful to the guide for this day.
2016年3月27日(日)のツアーに参加しました。とても素晴らしい体験でした。
前々日が土砂降りの雨と雷ピカピカ、の後だったので、天候をとても心配していましたがこの日は朝から晴れていい天気で、期待が高まりました。
この日のガイドは「まっちゃん」。 とても明るく話題豊富で、カメラの腕前がまさに「凄腕」の方でした。解散まで途切れることなくにこやかに元気に楽しくガイドをしていただき、天候に加えて、このすばらしいガイドさんのおかげで、貴重な素敵な体験ができたと思っています。
山頂への移動の間に町や動植物、溶岩の話が次々と説明され、途中下車して記念写真の時間がありました。ガイドさんのカメラの他に、参加者が持っているカメラで、次々といいアングルと撮影スタイル(フラッシュ、その他バランスなど)に一瞬で切り替えて撮る「スゴ技!」で、参加者は自撮りだけでなく、様々な素晴らしい写真をも手に入れることができました。
さらに、ガイドさんの高性能一眼レフカメラでは、デジカメやスマホでは撮影できない星空や、集合写真などを撮影して、Webからダウンロードできるようにしてくれる充実ぶりです。
夕日と星空の素晴らしさに加えて、写真、途中の高度順応の時間に食べる温かいお弁当、味噌汁、お茶など、これほどに間断なく参加者の世話をしてくれるツアーは初めてです。何より、このツアーの素晴らしさを支えているのはガイドさんだと思います。
このツアーを選んで良かったのは、防寒具を全員分用意してあることでした。
事前に防寒の用意の案内はありましたが、マウナケア山頂では寒さと強風で、自分が用意した長袖、フリース上着、ズボンでは全く歯が立たない程で、防寒用の上着とツナギズボンに帽子や手袋を、高山病対策の滞在時間を利用して着込むことができたのは、助かりました。
この日の山頂は風速20M(台風並み)。多くの方がスマートフォンを持っていましたが、スマートフォンの画面を操作する時は手袋をとる必要があり、指先が凍えて辛かったです。
100円SHOP(ダ●ソー)で指が反応する手袋を売っているのでお勧めです。
強風の中でしたが、雲海の下に見える海(!)に夕日が映って、素晴らしい夕日でした。
ここでもガイドさんは車の位置を細かく調整して風よけを考えてくれて、その一方で相変わらずの素早さでみなさんの写真を撮っていました。(びっくりすることばかりです)
たいていのカメラの操作はできますとの言葉に嘘はありませんでした。
その後の星空観測も素晴らしかったです。
準備の間は星にちなんだ曲を温かい車内で聞かせてもらい(とても楽しかった)、車を降りると、満天の星空。6等星まで見えていたとのことです。天の川が見えました。
記念撮影や、鑑賞して終わりと思いきや、星座の物語を交えた詳しい解説がありました。レーザーポンイターを使ったとてもわかり易い説明は、感動モノでした。
満天の星に加え、人工衛星、流れ星なども観られ、これまた感動。
そして、満月や月の出の時間によっては星が見えないとか、いろいろな条件があることがわかりました。 本当は事前にちゃんと調べて、日の出のツアーに参加するか、夕日のツアーに参加するかを考えるのが良いのだそうです。 今回は本当にラッキーでした。
運が良かった部分も多く、夕日と星空に感動、そして何よりガイドさんに感謝する一日でした。
Dear Winchan,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. This March, there were several days when the road to the summit of Mauna Kea was closed due to bad weather, but we are delighted that the weather was stable on the day of your tour. We also sincerely appreciate your kind words about our tour guide. We will take your feedback to heart and continue to strive for excellence as a team. We look forward to your next visit to the island.
Nobu
Winchan様
この度は弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございました。この3月は悪天候の為にマウナケア山の山頂に登る道路が閉鎖された日が何度かありましたが、参加日の天候が安定していたこと、嬉しい限りです。また、弊社のツアーガイドにお褒めの言葉をいただきまして、誠にありがとうございます。お言葉を励みにして、これからもスタッフ一同頑張っていきたいと存じます。またのご来島をお待ちしております。ノブ
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/27 |
Reviewed by: ゆうき
The high energy of guide Matsuzaki and the easy-to-understand stargazing guide were fantastic. The photo download service after returning home is a wonderful touch.
ガイドのmatuzakiさんのハイテンションと、わかりやすい星空ガイドが最高でした。帰国後の写真ダウンロードはうれしいサービスです。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/11 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/02 |
Reviewed by: lucy
The explanation was interesting, and they took photos, making for great memories. Since both telescopes were fully booked, I only got a brief glimpse of Jupiter, but the view from the summit was very clear with little wind. I'm glad I joined the tour, as I'm not very good at driving and it would have been uncertain if I could have made it to the summit on my own.
説明も面白く、写真も撮ってくれて良い思い出になりました。
2台満席でしたので、望遠鏡は木星1つだけをちらっと見るだけでしたが、山頂で風も少なく、とても綺麗に見ることができました。
あの山頂は、運転の苦手な自分ではたどり着けるかも危ういのでツアーに参加して良かったです。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/04/03 |
Reviewed by: 角岡憲次
I participated in the sunset stargazing with my wife. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from the night sky. Our main goal was to climb a mountain over 4000 meters high, and it was supposed to be an easy drive. We talked about how this would probably be the greatest experience of our lives.
I've been to the Big Island many times, but this was my first time joining a tour. I always had a sense of admiration for the majestic Mauna Kea visible from our resort hotel room, but my wife had slightly high blood pressure, so we had given up on climbing it.
However, my wife insisted that she wanted to see the sunset or sunrise from Mauna Kea, so we decided to sign up for Masashi Nature School, where they speak Japanese. The plan was for the sunset stargazing on March 30. However, that day the summit was closed, and we rescheduled for April 1. I was truly impressed by their sincere response to this situation. The itinerary was also very enjoyable, and our driver and instructor, Matsuchan (Mr. Matsuzaki), had a personality that eased our minds.
At the intermediate point, Onizuka, we acclimated our bodies to the high altitude for about an hour. There, we had an early dinner. A proper Japanese bento with miso soup was served, which was also wonderful. We changed into ski wear here.
We were just a little further from the summit. The road turned to dirt, and we climbed powerfully in a four-wheel drive vehicle. We finally arrived at the longed-for summit. It was still quite bright, so I took the opportunity to use the restroom.
The view was breathtaking. I took many photos, and it started to get colder. We admired the stunning sunset alongside the Subaru Telescope from Japan. This alone was fantastic, but the real excitement was yet to come. Once it got completely dark, we descended to the stargazing point and waited in the car for a while. This was the key moment. Once the staff was ready, we stepped outside.
What a sight it was! From directly beside us to straight above, it was a night sky unlike anything I had ever seen. The thin air seemed to invite us to the stars. The main instructor, Matsuchan, gave an amazing explanation of the constellations! He used a laser pointer to make it very easy to understand.
The Big Dipper was huge and immediately recognizable. I have astigmatism and my eyesight is a bit poor, but I didn't mind it at all. The emotion of seeing these stars is indescribable, which is frustrating, but I can only say it was simply wonderful.
It was a tour I would want to join again and again.
サンセット星空観測に妻と二人で参加しました。
正直、星空はそれほど期待していなかったのです。目的は4000m以上の山に登ることでした。それも車で簡単に、、、。生涯で最大の経験だろうと、妻と語り合っていました。
何度もハワイ島へは来ているのですがツアーに参加したのは初めてです。リゾートホテルの部屋から見えるマウナケアの雄大な姿にいつも憧れのような感情がありましたが、妻が少し血圧が高く登るのは諦めていました。
しかし妻がどうしてもマウナケアからの夕陽か朝日が見たいと言うので、思い切って日本語の通じるマサシネイチャーズスクールに申し込みました。
予定は3月30日の夕日星空観測です。
ところがその日は山頂がクローズ、4月1日に変更しました。この対応も実に誠実に対応していただき感激しました。また行程の案内も実に楽しく松ちゃん(松崎さんと云うドライバー兼インストラクター)の人柄がこちらの気持ちを和らげてくれます。
中継地点onizukaで約一時間体を高地に慣らします。そこで早めの夕食です。まともな日本食弁当が味噌汁付きで出てきました。これも素晴らしい。
ここでスキーウェアーに着替えます。
山頂まではあと少しです。途中からダートに変わり四輪駆動で力強く登ります。
憧れの山頂に到着です。まだかなり明るく、この間にトイレを済ませます。
絶景です。沢山写真撮りました。そしてどんどん寒くなってきました。
日本のスバル電波望遠鏡と共に夕日の絶景を眺めました。これだけでも素晴らしいのですが、実は本当の感動はこれからでした。辺りがすっかり暗くなったころ星空観測の地点まで降ります。しばし車内で待機。これがポイントです。スタッフによって準備完了、車外へ。
何ということでしょう。(ビフォーアフターの様に)
真横から真上まで至る所、今まで見たことのない星空です。薄い空気が降るような星へと誘ってくれます。
メインのインストラクター、松ちゃんの星座解説がまた素晴らしい!
レーザーポインターで実にわかりやすく解説してくれました。
北斗七星デカいです。すぐ分かりました。私は乱視で目が少し悪いのですが全く目のことは気になりませんでした。この星を見れた感動は言葉では表せないのがなんとも歯がゆいのですが、ただただ素晴らしいと
言っておきましょう。
何度も行きたくなるツアーでした。
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/06 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/30 |
Reviewed by: Lon/Betsy Emelander
Well worth the long ride from Hawaii to the mountain. The guide was excellent and gave every one a look through the telescope multiple times. A once in a life time experience!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/04/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/09 |
Reviewed by: erina
I chose this tour because you can't go to Mauna Kea on your own. The scenery was more beautiful than I imagined, with countless stars I've never seen before. It made me want to participate again! I was amazed by the staff's extensive knowledge. I would be happy if the food quality could be improved.
マウナケアには自力ではいけないので、こちらのツアーを選びました。想像以上の美しい景色、
今まで見たことない星の数々。また参加したい!とおもわせる内容で下。ツアースタッフの方の知識の豊富さには驚かされました。食事の内容があまりよくないので改善していただけたら嬉しいです。
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/31 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/24 |
Reviewed by: Dave S.
Great tour and great guide in Brett....very knowledgeable and entertaining...one comment is tour could be shorter by eliminating the dinner
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/24 |
Reviewed by: sonoko
In the early afternoon, I boarded the van for pickup and listened to our guide Matchan's enjoyable commentary. We encountered a magnificent sea of clouds and quickly arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center. Although it was an early dinner, the warm miso soup was included, and it was incredibly delicious—I even had a second helping. Finally, we were at the summit of Mauna Kea. Being able to drive up to the 4,205-meter peak felt like a dream for the elderly couple. I didn't mind the thin air at all. I was prepared for the strong winds, but I appreciated the thoughtful provision of warm clothing, hats, and gloves. Our guide's professional camera skills prompted me to strike a pose as if I were jumping over the sun. I jumped! I really did! We captured some great photos! The reflection of the sunset created a pink and blue scene that I had never seen in Japan. Next, we drove to a stargazing spot, where the warm drinks and cookies we had were also very tasty. The starry sky was absolutely stunning, and a shooting star fell right in front of us. The guide explained the constellations clearly using a laser pointer. My daughter and her husband participated in the sunrise tour on the same day and were equally impressed, so I hope to join the sunrise tour next time. I would love to rely on your services again then. My satisfaction level was 100%.
昼過ぎの迎えのバンに乗りガイドのマッチャンの楽しい案内を聞き、素晴らしい雲海と出会いあっという間にオニズカビジターセンターに着きました。早い夕食ではありましたが、温かい味噌汁も付き、そこで頂くお味噌汁は最高に美味しくておかわりまでしてしまいました。いよいよマウナケア山頂です。4,205mの山頂まで車で登れるとは、老夫婦にとっては夢のようでした。空気が薄くなるのも私は全然気になりませんでした。風が強いのは覚悟の上でしたが、防寒着、帽子と手袋まで気配りが嬉しかったです。また、ガイドさんのプロ並みのカメラさばきに、思わず太陽を飛び越えるポーズ。飛びました。飛びましたよ!!しっかり写真にもおさめてもらいました!太陽が沈んだ後の反射でピンクとブルー色の光景は日本では見たことがないものでした。次に星空スポットへ車で移動し、そこでいただいた温かい飲み物とクッキーもとても美味しかったです。素晴らしい満天の星空でした。流れ星も目の前に落ちました。星座についてもレーザーポインターを使いながら分りやすく説明してくれました。娘夫婦が同じ日のサンライズツアーに参加し同様に感激していたので、次はサンライズツアーに参加できればと思っています。その時はまたお世話になりたいと思います。満足度100%でした。
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/01 |
Reviewed by: CKO
Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, at 4,205 meters, is higher than Mount Fuji, yet it is easily accessible by car. I joined this tour because it offers views of the Subaru Telescope and beautiful starry skies. While several companies operate similar tours, I chose Masashi Nature School because they took photos and provided the option to download them from their website.
The basic schedule was as follows: Departing Kailua-Kona at 1:30 PM, leaving Waikoloa at 2:30 PM, passing through Parker Ranch, and arriving at the Onizuka Visitor Center at 4:00 PM (where we enjoyed a dinner bento and viewed the endangered silver sword plant). After putting on the warm clothing provided, we departed the center at 5:15 PM, taking photos with Mauna Loa and the Subaru Telescope in the background, and reached the summit at 6:15 PM. We watched the sunset at 6:45 PM and departed the summit at 7:15 PM. We descended to about 3,600 meters for stargazing (observing Jupiter and the Moon through telescopes, constellation explanations from the guide, and photo opportunities) and left the Onizuka Visitor Center at 9:00 PM, arriving in Waikoloa at 10:00 PM and Kailua-Kona at 10:45 PM.
I was able to see sights that can only be experienced by climbing to the summit of Mauna Kea, such as the Subaru Telescope, the sunset sinking into the sea of clouds, and the Pleiades star cluster, which I had never seen in Japan.
A few observations: 1. The warm clothing provided (especially hats and gloves) had a very used feel, so I recommend bringing your own if that concerns you. 2. The bento was made by Big Island Grill, famous for its poke, and it was very delicious. 3. On the way down from the Onizuka Visitor Center, you can sleep, but since the descent starts from 2,800 meters, be careful to occasionally pop your ears to avoid discomfort. 4. For the best stargazing, try to go during a new moon. At 4,200 meters, the air is clear, and it truly felt like another world.
ハワイ島のマウナケアは、4205mと、富士山より高いにもかかわらず、車で容易に行くことができ、日本のすばる天文台や、きれいな星空がみられ ると言うことで、このツアーに参加しました。他に何社か催行していますが、マサシネイチャースクールさんは、写真を撮ってくれた上、さらにHPか らダウンロードが可能ということで、こちらを選びました。簡単なスケジュールとしては、13:30カイルアコナ出発 14:30 ワイコロア出 発、パーカー牧場の間を抜け、16:00オニヅカビジターセンター着(夕食のお弁当と絶滅危惧種である銀剣草の鑑賞),貸していただける防寒着を 着用して17:15センター出発、途中、となりの4000m級のマウナロアや、すばる天文台をバックに写真を撮りながら18:15山頂到着。 18:45サンセット19:15山頂出発。3600m位まで降りて星空観測(望遠鏡で木星と月の観測、ガイドさんの星座解説、写真撮 影)21:00オニヅカビジターセンター出発 22:00ワイコロア22:45カイルアコナ着。
すばる天文台や、雲海に沈むサンセット、日本では見たことのない昴 (プレアデス星団)などなど、マウナケアの山頂まで登らなければ見られない景 色を見ることができました。
気づいたことを少し。1. 貸していただける防寒着(特に帽子や手袋)はused感満載なので、気になる方はご自分のものを持参することをお勧めします。2. お弁当は、コアで有名なビッグアイランドグリル製だそうで、とても美味しかったです。3. 帰り、オニヅカビジターセンターから降りていくときは寝てもいいのですが、2800mのところからの下山になりますので、たまに耳抜きをしないと耳が痛くなりますのでご注意ください。 4. 星空観賞は、できれば新月の時が星がよく見えます。4200mは、空気も澄んで、文字通り別世界でした。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/19 |
Reviewed by: saito takako
On my third attempt, I finally reached the summit of Mauna Kea. The sunset sinking into the sea of clouds was magnificent. I was moved by the overflowing starry sky. I've added another memory of Hawaii.
3回目のチャレンジで、念願のマウナケア山頂に、雲海の中に沈む夕陽、素晴らしかったです。あふれんばかりの星空に感動しました。ハワイの思い出がまたひとつ増えました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/22 |
Reviewed by: yuko
This time, I was finally able to go to the Big Island of Hawaii for my honeymoon, and while researching, I came across this tour and was well taken care of. They picked us up at the hotel, and we had a restroom break around Waikoloa (there was a supermarket, so I ended up buying a lot of souvenirs in a short time. Haha). Since we had a little time, they also took us to the beach. After that, we picked up guests from other hotels one by one and set off for Mauna Kea together! First, we had dinner at the Onizuka Visitor Center♪ Dinner was a bento box and miso soup. Eating lunch under a clear blue sky with not a cloud in sight was the best! After dinner, we borrowed warm clothing and finally set off for the summit! I tend to get motion sickness, so I took some medicine (and it was a good decision. The bumpy gravel road made for a lot of shaking). We could see the sea of clouds beautifully from the car, which was already quite moving. When we got close to the summit, the oxygen was thinner than at ground level, so when I got out of the car, my body felt a bit light-headed, but I gradually got used to it. More than that, the sunset was so amazing that I forgot about everything else. I got to see a sunset that moved me so much for the first time. I took a lot of photos, and the tour guide also took many pictures for us. After the sunset, we did some stargazing a little below the summit♪ It was breathtaking! I had never seen so many stars in Japan!! The guide explained a lot about the stars with a laser pointer, so time flew by, and I really enjoyed stargazing. My camera couldn't capture any stars at all, but the guide's high-performance camera took photos of the starry sky with the distant red glow of the Kilauea crater in the background, making for a memorable stargazing experience. I was very satisfied. They also drove us back to the hotel, and I think we arrived around midnight. I was fast asleep in the car on the way back. Haha. The guide talked to us about various things during the trip, so it was not boring at all, and we got some memorable photos, so I truly felt it was great to have been taken care of by this tour! When I have the chance to go to the Big Island again, I definitely want to use this tour again♪ If you go to the Big Island, you definitely shouldn't miss this place!!!
今回、ハネムーンで念願叶って初めてのハワイ島へ行けることになり、色々と調べていたところ、こちらのツアーが目にとまりお世話になりました。ホテルまで迎えに来て頂き、途中ワイコロア周辺でトイレ休憩も有り(スーパーもあったのでお土産等も短時間で沢山買ってしまいました。笑)時間が少しあると言うことで海へも連れてって頂きました。この後、他のホテルの方も順々にピックアップし、マウナケアへ向けて全員で出発です!まずは途中のオニヅカビジターセンターで夕食タイム♪夕食は幕の内弁当とお味噌汁でした。雲ひとつない快晴で青空の下でのお弁当は最高です!夕食後は防寒具をお借りして、いよいよ頂上へ向けて出発!私は酔いやすいタイプなので、酔い止めを飲みました。(結果、飲んでおいて良かったです。砂利道を上がっていくので揺れが凄いかった)車中から雲海も綺麗に見れて既に結構感動物です。頂上付近につくと酸素が地上より薄いので、車から降りると体がフワフワしてましたが徐々にそれも慣れてきます。そんなことよりサンセントが素晴らしすぎてそんなことも忘れてしまいます。初めてあんなに感動するサンセットを見れました。ここぞとばかりに写真も撮り、ツアーの方にも沢山写真を撮って頂きました。サンセット後は頂上より少し下ったところの路肩にて星空観測です♪もう悲鳴ものでした!日本でこんなに沢山の星を見たことが無い!!ガイドさんがレーザー棒で星の説明を沢山してくれたので、時間が経つのも早くとても楽しく星空を鑑賞できました。私のカメラでは星なんて全く映らなかったのですが、ガイドさんの高性能カメラで星空と遠くに赤く映るキラウエアの火口をバックに写真撮影もして頂き、形にも残る星空観測ができて大満足でした。帰りもホテルまで送って頂き、ホテルに着いたのは24時近くだったと思います。帰りの車では爆睡でした。笑 道中、ガイドさんも色々とお話してくださり退屈しない移動でしたし、記念に残る写真も撮って頂けたので、結果こちらのツアーでお世話になり本当に良かったと思います!またハワイ島に行ける機会が出来たときには、ぜひまたお世話になりたいと思えたツアーです♪
ハワイ島に行ったらこちらに行かないと損ですよ!!!
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/28 |
Reviewed by: sho
Many first experiences, with a glowing orange sunset! A sky full of stars!! I was so moved that I couldn't stop talking, it was an exciting tour!!
初体験のものも多く、オレンジ色に輝くサンセット!
満天の星空!!話が尽きないくらい感激して、興奮度満点のツアー!!
Dear Sho,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. This year, the weather on Mauna Kea has been more stable than usual, which is wonderful. We look forward to welcoming you again.
Nobu
sho様、
弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございます。今年は例年に比べてマウナケアの天候が安定しており何よりでした。またのお越しを社員一同お待ちしております。 Nobu
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/16 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/07 |
Reviewed by: S.じぇにふぁー
On my first trip to Hawaii, I decided that more than anything else, I wanted to see the Subaru Telescope up close and observe the starry sky in the clear air. Among the many optional tours, I chose the stargazing tour at Mauna Kea with "Masashi's Tour" because they use a reflecting telescope and, unlike other tours, they conduct stargazing at a higher elevation than the Onizuka Visitor Center.
On the day of the tour, another vehicle joined us from a different route, bringing the total number of participants to about 13, half of whom were newlyweds. As a couple who are more seasoned (?), we felt a bit out of place, but that feeling quickly vanished thanks to our guide's entertaining and lively commentary, which kept us laughing throughout the journey. The drive around the Big Island takes a long time, so having a fun guide who provides explanations along the way is a big plus. A tour led by a guide fluent in Japanese gives a sense of security and, above all, is enjoyable.
After a restroom break, we first headed to the Onizuka Visitor Center on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Here, telescopes are permanently set up, and we looked through them with other tourists to see sunspots and flares. To watch the sunset from the summit, we had an early dinner (around 4:30 PM). It was already cold at this point, so having warm miso soup in addition to our bento was a delightful service. We stayed for a while to acclimatize to the altitude and put on bright, ski-like cold-weather pants. Suddenly going to an altitude over 4,000 meters can make even simple actions like putting on pants difficult, as it can lead to a lack of blood flow to the brain and the risk of hypoxia. Personally, I often experience headaches, dizziness, and nausea even at Japanese highlands, so I was quite worried about altitude sickness. I followed the guide's instructions to stay awake and took deep breaths to avoid shallow breathing.
Despite some unpaved bumpy roads, we quickly reached the summit without experiencing the nausea or headaches I had feared. The surroundings were bright, but sunset was approaching. Perhaps due to the unfamiliar altitude, I felt a bit distant, and even though there were many people around, it felt strangely quiet. The sight of the sun gradually dyeing the surroundings crimson was nothing short of divine, an overwhelming presence. I watched the sun sinking beyond the sea of clouds below with a prayerful heart.
As the sun set, all 13 observatories around us opened their domes simultaneously to prepare for astronomical observations. To avoid being in the way, our tour had to retreat early. The headlights of cars and lights from tourists passing by would interfere with the observations, so we were informed that stargazing would take place on the descent rather than at the summit, which I understood.
As we parked on a flat area along the road, we finally arrived at the much-anticipated stargazing time. That day, there was a half moon, and unfortunately, the moonlight was too bright for a star-filled sky, but we could still see the winter Milky Way. Among the many stars, I noticed Orion, which is located in the southern sky in Japan, near the zenith, while the North Star and Cassiopeia were positioned low in the northern sky. We spotted the first-magnitude star "Canopus" high in the southern sky, and my husband and I cheered. Then we looked at the moon's surface through the telescope and took a break with warm tea and cookies. Finally, we took commemorative photos against the starry sky, and the observation session concluded as we headed back.
At the Onizuka Visitor Center, where we stopped for a restroom break, it was overflowing with other tours and individuals who had come to stargaze, and the constant headlights of passing cars made it difficult to quietly enjoy the starry sky. Of course, the stars were much more beautiful than those seen from the ground, but I was glad to have chosen this tour where we could observe in a smaller group.
Howeve
初めてのハワイ旅行では、ワイキキでの買い物ツアーよりも何よりも、すばる天文台を間近で見て、その澄んだ空気の中で星空観測をしたいと決めていました。数あるオプショナルツアーの中からマウナケアでの星空観測を「マサシのツアー」に決めた理由は、反射式望遠鏡を利用することと、他社のツアーとは違ってオニヅカビジターセンターよりも標高の高い場所で星空観測を行うとあったからです。
当日は別ルートからもう一台途中で合流し、合計13名程度の参加者だったそうですが、そのうち半数が新婚さん。ウチのように熟年(?)にさしかかった夫婦はあまり参加しないのかと少々場違いな感じもしましたが、そんな気分は吹き飛ぶようなガイドさんの楽しい弾丸トークに道中笑いっぱなしでした。ハワイ島ツアーは車での移動時間が長いので、ガイドさんのトークが楽しく、また移動中に周辺の説明をしてくれるのはポイントが高いですね。日本語に堪能なガイドさんのツアーはやはり安心感もあるし、何より楽しいです。
途中トイレ休憩をはさんだりしながらまずはマウナケア中腹のオニヅカビジターセンターへ。ここでは望遠鏡が常設されていて、他の観光客と一緒に望遠鏡をのぞき込み、太陽の黒点やフレアを見ました。山頂で夕日を見るためにこの場所で思いっきり早めの夕食(時刻はまだ4時半頃)。この地点で既に寒かったので、お弁当の他に温かいお味噌汁は嬉しいサービスでした。高度に身体を慣れさせるためしばらく滞在し、スキーウエアのような派手な防寒着のズボンもこの場で着用。標高4000メートルを超える高地に突然行くと、ズボンをはくような動作だけでも血液が脳に回らなくなり、脳が低酸素状態になる危険性があるからだそうです。私自身、日本の高原に行っただけでも頭痛やめまい、吐き気に襲われることも多く、高山病が怖かったので、ガイドさんの指示に従って眠らないようにしたり、深呼吸をして浅い呼吸にならないよう気を付けたりしました。舗装されていない凸凹道もあったものの、心配した吐き気や頭痛に襲われることもなくあっという間に山頂に到着。辺りは明るいけれど間もなく夕日が沈む時刻です。
慣れない高地にいるせいか、耳が遠いような、気が遠くなるような気分で、大勢の人がその場にいたにもかかわらず、周囲が妙に静かな気がしました。刻一刻と周囲の色を朱に染めていく太陽の姿は神々しいとしか言いようのない、圧倒的な存在。眼下に広がる雲海の向こうに沈みゆく太陽に、ただただ祈るような気持ちで見入った時間でした。
夕日が沈むと、周囲の13ある天文台は一斉にドームを開け放ち、天体観測の準備にかかります。その邪魔にならないように私たちのようなツアーは早々に撤退しなければなりません。山頂を行き交う車のヘッドライトや観光客が照らす明かりだけでも観測の邪魔になるため、その場にとどまっての星空観測ではなく、下山して行うのだという説明に改めて納得。さて、他の車がオニヅカビジターセンターまで下っていくのを横目に、道の途中、車を寄せられる平たい場所に停車していよいよお待ちかねの星空観測タイムです。
当日は半月で、月明かりが明るすぎて降るような星空は残念ながら体験できませんでしたが、それでも冬の天の川も見えましたし、たくさんの星々の中に日本では南側にあるオリオン座が天頂付近に見え、逆に北極星やカシオペア座が北側の低い位置にあることなどを実感。日本では見ることのできない一等星「カノープス」を南の高い位置に見つけ、夫と二人歓声を上げました。それから望遠鏡で月面の様子を見せてもらって、温かい紅茶とクッキーで一休み。最後に星空を背景に参加者それぞれの記念撮影をして、観測会は終了、車に乗って帰路につきました。
途中トイレ休憩のため立ち寄ったオニヅカビジターセンターでは、他のツアーや個人で星を観にやってきた人たちとその車であふれかえっていて、ひっきりなしに通る車のヘッドライトが気になって星空を静かに眺めるという雰囲気ではありませんでした。もちろん下界で見る星空より数段きれいでしたが、やはり少人数で観測できる、このツアーにしてよかったです。
ただ、唯一そして最大の残念だったことは、せっかく準備した望遠鏡で見たものが月面だけだったという点。きれいな星空を見られたのは嬉しかったけれど、望遠鏡で色々視られると期待していたのでせっかくなら上り始めた木星や、オリオン座の大星雲なども望遠鏡で見せてほしかったなぁ。そこが本当に残念でした。ツアーを申し込む前にその点を確認しておくべきでした。
でもその点さえ除けば、道中も楽しく、素晴らしいツアーだったと思います。
ハワイ島に行かれる方は、ぜひマウナケアで太陽と星空を観測するこのツアーに参加してみてください!一生心に残ること請け合いですよ。
Dear Jennifer S.,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. We also appreciate your valuable feedback. From now on, we will ensure that you have the opportunity to view constellations and celestial bodies through telescopes as much as time allows. We sincerely look forward to your next visit to the island.
S.じぇにふぁー様
弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございました。また、この度は大変に貴重なご意見を頂戴しましてありがとうございます。これからは時間の許す限り、星座や天体を望遠鏡で見ていただくこととしますので、是非、またのご来島を社員一同心よりお待ちしております。
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/15 |
Reviewed by: TOM
Since arriving on the Big Island, the weather has been very windy, so I was worried about the conditions at the summit, but it was completely calm! There was a bit of altitude sickness, but more than that, the view of nature from 4,000 meters was breathtaking!
ハワイ島に着いてからずっと強風の天候だったので、山頂の天気を心配していましたがまったくの無風状態!
多少の酸欠もありましたが、それ以上に4000mから眺める大自然は迫力がありました!
Dear Tom,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. The road from the Onizuka Center to the summit of Mauna Kea closes when wind speeds exceed 50 miles per hour, but we were truly fortunate to have calm weather on that day. We all look forward to your next visit to the island.
Nobu
TOM様
弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございます。マウナケア山は風速が毎時50マイル以上になりますとオニヅカセンターから頂上に登る道路が閉鎖されてしまいますが、当日は穏やかな天候で本当に良かったです。またのご来島を社員一同でお待ちしております。Nobu
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/18 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
At the base, the wind was strong, and I was worried, but thanks to the provided winter gear at the summit, it wasn't cold even in winter. The guide took a photo of me jumping with the sunset in the background at the top, which became a wonderful keepsake. Thank you very much. I would like to recommend this to acquaintances as well.
麓では風が強く、心配していたのですが頂上では用意していただいた防寒具のおかげで冬でもさむくありませんでした。ガイドさんが撮影してくれた頂上で夕日をバックにジャンプして写真がとても良い記念になりました。ありがとうございました。知人にもオススメしたいとおもいます。
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. Mauna Kea's elevation reaches 4,205 meters, even in Hawaii, so we are glad that our provided cold-weather gear helped keep you warm. We look forward to your next visit to the island. Nobu
今回は弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございました。マウナケア山頂はハワイと云えども4,205メートルの高度になりますので、弊社の用意しました防寒具で寒さを防げたこと、嬉しい限りです。またのご来島を社員一同お待ちしております。 Nobu
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/10 |
Reviewed by: トシヒロ
I finally went on the sunset and stargazing tour, which was my main purpose for coming to Hawaii! This is a tour that you absolutely must participate in when you come to the Big Island. The emotions you experience here are something you can't get in Japan!!
Our hotel was at Kanaloa, and since we were the southernmost guests, we were picked up first. The meeting time was at 1 PM. From there, we stopped at other hotels, and off we went to Mauna Kea! (On the way, we were also taken to a lava cave, which was interesting for an adventure lover like me. Although the pickup is early in the south, this kind of perk makes it worth it♪)
The journey to Mauna Kea is incredibly long, but you can enjoy the unique scenery of the Big Island along the way, and the guide's stories kept us entertained. This is definitely a perk of the tour.
We arrived at the Onizuka Center! Even though it's supposed to be a high-altitude area, it didn't feel that way. We received a bento box and warm miso soup (with chopped green onions!) and took a break. The bento was delicious, tailored for Japanese tastes. There was also warm tea, coffee, and cocoa—everything you could want.
After acclimatizing to the altitude, we continued our ascent up Mauna Kea. The weather was nice, and since it was warmer than usual, we were lent down pants and jackets, but it wasn't freezing at all; it was very comfortable.
Finally, we reached the summit! The scenery felt like another world—like Earth? Mars? I couldn't help but think that! I'm so glad I came. It was breathtaking. (I heard that scenes from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars were filmed here. I can see why.)
The Subaru that Japan is proud of!! And there was a radar-like device that I've only seen on screen! Just being in this scenery was moving (T T).
And finally, the sunset! The weather was good, and we could even see Maui in the distance. My excitement was through the roof, and I kept pressing the camera shutter. (But let's not forget, we're over 4,000 meters above sea level. If you get too excited and start running around, you can get altitude sickness. I almost did. But actually, that was fun☆ It's a rare experience after all.)
The sun sank into the sea of clouds, and tears streamed down my cheeks... The sun sets surprisingly quickly. I've heard that some people miss it while they're in the restroom.
As we soaked in the afterglow of the sunset, we descended a bit to the stargazing location (apparently, there's a good time to be at the summit). When we got out of the car, the starry sky spread out before us... I've never seen anything like this (○□○)! As the night deepened, the sky filled more and more with stars! And we could even see the red light of Kilauea in the distance! Plus, the guide's interesting explanations about the stars! It was the clearest and most engaging explanation I've ever received, even better than any planetarium. I never imagined I could get such clear explanations about constellations from real stars. I want to come back when my zodiac sign is visible♪
And so, we began our descent. The way back was pitch dark, and we couldn't see anything. It was a bit boring, but that can't be helped. Driving in such darkness while talking, I was really impressed by our guide. Their personality was also touching. They were great at storytelling, very kind, and shared a lot of information about the Big Island. I really felt that it was a good choice to go with this tour, as having a Japanese-speaking guide abroad allows you to learn information thoroughly.
Everyone should definitely participate in this when they go to the Big Island! I highly recommend it~ (´ω`)ノ
ハワイに来る一番の目的だったサンセット&星空観測ツアーに遂に行ってきました!
ハワイ島に来たからには絶対に参加すべきと思えるツアーでした。日本では得られない感動がここにある!!
私達のホテルはカナロアで、お客さんの中で最南端だったため最初にピックアップ。時間は13時の待ち合わせでした。そこから他のホテルへも寄りながら、さぁいざマウナケアへ!(ピックアップの途中にも溶岩窟?へ案内してもらいました。そこも冒険好きの私には面白かった。南だとピックアップが早いけど、こんな特典もあるならお得かな♪)
マウナケアへはとーーーーーーっても長い道のりですが、行く道中もハワイ島ならではの景色を堪能できるのとガイドさんのお話で退屈しませんでした。これもツアーならではの特典ですね。
オニヅカセンターへ到着!高山のはずが、そんな感じは受けず。お弁当と温かいお味噌汁(刻み生ネギつき!)をもらって各々一休憩。日本人に合わせたお弁当で美味しくいただけました。そして温かいお茶、コーヒー、ココアいたれりつくせりでした。
高所順応も済み、まだまだマウナケアを登ります。天気も良く、例年よりも温かいということで、ダウンパンツ、ジャケットを貸してもらいましたが、震えるような寒さはなく、とても快適。
さぁ頂上に着きました!ここは本当に地球?火星?と本当に思ってしまうような異世界の景色!来てよかった。感動。(2001年宇宙の旅やスターウォーズのロケもしたらしい。納得。)
日本が誇るスバル!!そして画面でしかみたことないようなレーダーみたいのある!!この景色の中に自分がいると思うだけで感動(T T)。
そしていよいよサンセットです!天気も良く、遠くにはマウイ島まで見えます。テンションは上がりっぱなし。カメラのシャッターも押しっぱなし。(しかし忘れてはいけません。ここは地上4000m超です。テンション上がってはしゃぎまくると酸欠になります。なりかけました。でも実はそれも楽しい☆なかなかできない体験ですからね。)
雲海が広がる中に除所に沈んでいく太陽。涙がほほを伝います。。。。。
沈み始めると案外早い太陽さん。トイレに行ってる間に見逃す人もいるらしいです。
サンセットの余韻に浸りながら星空観測の場所へ少し下山します(頂上にいて良い時間が決まっているそうです)。
車から降りると、そこに広がる星空。。。こんなの見たこと無い(○□○)!!夜が更けていくうちにどんどん空が星で埋まってく!しかもなんと遠くにキラウェアの赤い光まで見えるではないですか!そしてガイドさんの面白星空解説!いままでのどのプラネタリウムよりもわかりやすく、面白い解説でした。本物の星でこんなにわかりやすく星座の解説受けられるなんて思ってもみませんでした。次は自分の星座が見られる時期に来たいな♪
そんなこんなで下山です。帰りの道中は真っ暗で何も見えないですね。ちょっと退屈だけど、それは仕方ない。そんな中運転してお話して、ガイドさんすごいな~。ガイドさんの人柄も感動でした。お話も上手、とても優しく親切にしていただき、ハワイ島情報もたくさんいただきました。やはり海外に来てもツアーは日本語でガイドしてもらえると情報がしっかり学べるので、こちらのツアーにして良かったと思えるポイントです。
みなさんハワイ島に行ったからには絶対に参加すべきです!お勧めで~す(´ω`)ノ
Dear Toshihiro,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. It is said that the Big Island has 11 out of the 13 climate types in the world. You can see this change in scenery from the hotel on the south side to Mauna Kea. We are very pleased to hear that you had a wonderful experience. We sincerely look forward to your next visit to the island.
Nobu
トシヒロ様、
弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございました。ハワイ島には世界の13種類の気候のうち、11種類の気候が存在すると云われています。南側のホテルからマウナケアに到達するまでの景色の変化からも察せられますね。とても素晴らしい体験をされたこと、嬉しい限りです。またのご来島を心よりお待ちしております。 Nobu
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/05 |
Reviewed by: N&T
I participated in this tour in mid-February. I don't think there's any need to hesitate. If you come to the Big Island, you must see the sunset or sunrise from Mauna Kea, as well as the breathtaking starry sky, which is said to be the closest to space.
The best part of this tour is the hospitality. Even if you're not used to traveling abroad, this tour covers various concerns you might have. Although it was only available on Sundays, the dinner bento was delicious, and the miso soup that the guide brought was excellent. Warm drinks were provided as needed, along with warm clothing.
And above all, our reliable guide! From trivia about the Big Island to its history, tips for managing your condition on the mountain, super-fast photo taking, and a workshop on photographing the starry sky with a DSLR, plus a constellation lesson on-site! The guide's driving was perfect; he truly was a Superman.
I was really glad to join Masashi's tour. I had a fun and wonderful time. One thing to be cautious about is that in winter, there may be snow near the summit, which could lead to restrictions on entry. This time, we were not affected due to the mild winter, but I think it's good to check.
Also, the warm clothing provided is really effective, so if you want to minimize your luggage, you might be able to manage with just a little effort.
I hope more people will have the best experience on this tour in the future! Thank you very much!
私は2月中旬に当ツアーに参加しました。
迷う必要はないと思います。ハワイ島に来たなら、マウナケアからのサンセット、もしくはサンライズ。そして宇宙に最も近いという満天の星空は、必ず見ておくべきと感じました。
このツアーの良いところは、おもてなしにあります。
海外に慣れてなくても、様々な不安をカバーしてくれるツアーになっています。
日曜日限定でしたが夕飯のお弁当も美味しく、ガイドさんが持参してくださったお味噌汁も最高。適宜準備される温かい飲み物に、防寒着。
そして何よりも、頼りになるガイドさん!ハワイ島の豆知識から歴史、山での体調管理方法に超高速写真撮影、そして一眼レフでの星空撮影講座に現地での星座講座!!!運転も完璧なその姿はまさにスーパーマン。
本当にマサシさんの当ツアーに参加して正解でした。楽しく最高の時間を過ごす事ができました。
注意しなければならないのは、冬季は山頂付近に雪が降るため、入山規制がかかる可能性があることです。今回は暖冬の影響でかかりませんでしたが、確認した方が良いと思います。
また、防寒着は本当に温かいものを準備してくださっているので、荷物を少なくしたい方は、気合いでなんとかなるところもあります。笑
それでは、今後もこのツアーで最高の体験をする方が増えることをお祈りしております!!
本当にありがとうございました!
Dear N&T,
Thank you for participating in the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. We are all very pleased to receive your kind words. We sincerely look forward to your next visit to the island.
Nobu
N&T様、
今回はマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございました。また、数々のお褒めの言葉をいただきまして社員一同嬉しい限りです。是非、またのご来島を心よりお待ちしております。 Nobu
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/14 |
Reviewed by: sae-yama 2・25ツアー参加
The sea of clouds and sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea truly moved me with its natural beauty. The temperature drops to around 0 degrees, so I was well-prepared with a ski jacket, pants, knit hat, and gloves—this level of preparation is something only Japanese tours provide, right?! Stargazing was also enjoyable; lying on the cold ground and looking up at the star-filled sky was a great experience. Our guide, Matsuzaki, provided entertaining talks and shared his knowledge of constellations, and he also helped us adjust various camera settings for photographing the stars with our DSLRs. This trip to the Big Island was exactly what I aimed for, so I am very satisfied!!
マウナケア山頂からの雲海、サンセット自然の美しさにほんと感動しました。
気温0度くらいまで下がるのでスキージャケットにパンツ、ニット帽に手袋まで至れり尽くせりは日本人ツアーだけでは?!
星空観測も満点の星空を冷たい地面に寝転んで見上げるのも楽しかった。
ガイドの松崎さんの楽しいトーク、星座の知識ほはもちろん一眼レフで星を撮影するための様々なメーカーのカメラの調節までよくやってくれました。
今回のハワイ島はこれが目的だったので大満足です!!
Dear sae-yama,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour. We are very pleased to hear that you achieved your purpose for visiting the Big Island. We also appreciate your kind words, and Matsuzaki and the entire guide team will continue to work hard. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Best regards,
Nobu
sae-yama様、
今回は弊社のマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございました。ハワイ島来島の目的を達せられたこと、大変に嬉しく思います。また、お褒めの言葉をいただきまして、松崎及びガイド一同、これからも頑張っていきますので、またの機会によろしくお願いいたします。 Nobu
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/25 |
Reviewed by: みどん
I participated on the last day of my honeymoon. It was the perfect tour to wrap things up!
The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea was the most beautiful and moving sunset I have ever seen. The clouds were only below, and the way the colors of the sky gradually changed was very impressive.
To avoid affecting the observatory at the summit, stargazing is done a little below the peak. The guide finds the best spot for viewing that day, even if it's not at the summit. When we first set out, there weren't many stars visible, and I wondered if we would really see that many. However, when we arrived at the observation point and got out of the car, we were greeted by an unexpectedly stunning starry sky! I was truly moved to see so many stars shining.
The guide was also very entertaining, making the tour a lot of fun. Additionally, they took many photos for us. They stopped the car at great photo spots, like when a rainbow appeared or when the clouds cleared for a better view, and took the best pictures! Furthermore, if you have a DSLR camera, they can help you with stargazing photography.
I wholeheartedly recommend this tour without any reservations!
ハネムーンの最終日に参加しました。
最後を締めくくるのに相応しい、最高のツアーでした!
マウナケア山頂でのサンセットは、今まで見てきたサンセットの中で一番美しく感動的でした。また雲が下の方にしかなく、一面に広がる空の色が徐々に変わっていく様子がとても印象的でした。
山頂の観測所に影響を出さないため、星空観察は山頂から少しくだったところで行います。
山頂ではなくともその日1番キレイに見える場所をガイドさんが探してくれます。
車を出すときはそこまで星がでておらず、本当にそんなにたくさん見えるのかな?と思っておりましたが、いざ観測ポイントに到着するし下車してみるとそこには想像にもしていなかったほどの満点の星空が!!!!
本当はこんなにたくさんの星が輝いているのかととても感動しました。
ガイドさんもとても面白い方で、とても楽しくツアーに参加することができました。
また、たくさん写真も撮ってくださります。
道中虹が出た時や、雲がなくなって景色が良くなった時、すばるの展望台など、写真スポットでクルマを停めて、最高の写真を撮ってくださいます!さらに、一眼レフを持っていれば星空の撮影も手伝っていただけます。
文句なしの本当にオススメのツアーです!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/25 |
Reviewed by: りりり
I participated in this tour as a memory of my honeymoon. The bento and miso soup served during the journey were delicious, and the driver was kind and entertaining, which made me very excited about the tour. Since I usually don't go up to 4200 meters, I was a bit worried about altitude sickness, but I was able to challenge the summit after taking a sufficient break at the Onizuka Center.
Additionally, while this tour provides jackets for rent, I recommend that those who are sensitive to the cold bring extra layers. I had heard that the weather near the summit of Mauna Kea is stable and the air is clear, making for beautiful starry skies, but experiencing the crisp air and the stunning sunset view in person was overwhelming. It truly became a lifelong memory to visit such a place where you can physically feel nature.
I would like to express my gratitude to the tour staff for allowing me to spend such a wonderful time. Thank you very much.
新婚旅行の思い出として今回のツアーに参加させていただきました。
道中で配られたお弁当とお味噌汁もおいしく、ドライバーさんは親切で面白い方でしたので、とても楽しく、ツアーへの期待が高まりました。普段は4200mの高さまで行かないので 高山病にならないかが少し不安でしたが、オニズカセンターで充分休憩が取れたので、山頂に挑むことができました。
また、こちらのツアーでは上着を貸して頂けますが、寒がりの人はそれだけではなく追加で持参することをお勧めします。
マウナケア山山頂付近は天候が安定し、空気が澄んでいるため星空が綺麗だと伺っておりましたが、いざ実際に行ってみて、普段の生活の中では味わえないその澄んだ空気、素晴らしいサンセットの景色に圧倒されました。文字通り、自然を体で感じることのできる、そんな場所に行けたことは一生の思い出となりました。
このような素敵な時間を過ごせたことに、ツアーのスタッフの方々に改めて感謝いたします。ありがとうございました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/おすすめプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/08 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/18 |
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Dear Mi,
Thank you for participating in our Mauna Kea tour. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the sunset and the starry sky. On the Big Island, you can also savor freshly caught seafood and abalone, so we all look forward to your next visit.
Nobu
みー様
今回は弊社のマウナケア山のツアーにご参加いただきましてありがとうございました。夕日と満天の星空にご満足をいただけたようで何よりです。ハワイ島には獲れたての魚介や新鮮なアワビもご賞味していただけますので、またのご来島をスタッフ一同心よりお待ちしております。ノブ