Reviewed by: Marg from Australia
We travelled from Australia with our friends and took a helicopter tour of the volcano. The trip was amazing !! The pilot was informative and very knowledgeable. He had some great jokes and made us feel very safe. I would really recommend this trip to anyone.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/05/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/05/18 |
Reviewed by: Megan
The ride was amazing. Very smooth and some excellent views of lava. Joyce, my pilot was very informative. I highly recommend this! Door off was really worth it!
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| Packages: | Doors-On Flight [45 mins] |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/05/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/05/19 |
Reviewed by: Karl Bement
Low clouds, poor visability, the tours we have taken in Maui and Honolulu were much better there se szw more waterfalls and coast line
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/05/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/05/17 |
Reviewed by: yuma
It's a special experience where you can feel the grandeur of the Big Island, including the appearance of the volcano, the flow of magma into the ocean, the townscape of Hilo, and the waterfalls in the valley. It's an experience that money can't buy. I highly recommend it! Although I wasn't a Japanese pilot, I could somewhat understand what was being said through the words.
火山の様子やマグマの海への流出、
ヒロの町並み、渓谷内の滝が流れる様子、
とにかくハワイ島の雄大さを感じることができるスペシャルな体験です。
お金じゃ買えない経験です。お勧めします!!
なお、日本語パイロットではなかったですが、
単語でなんとなく言っていることは分かりました。
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/05/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/04/09 |
Reviewed by: J McQuitty
Was a wonderful tour and would advise others to do this!
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| Packages: | Doors-On Flight [45 mins] |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/04/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/04/25 |
Reviewed by: Lilly
We had kind of an unusual situation, as our hike down to the lava in the afternoon was canceled due to the directions of the winds, which were blowing toxic VOG inland. Instead, we ended up going to the crater for the second time that day, which actually turned out to be pretty cool, as the lava level had risen quite high.
Our AM guide was Angelique, who was really sweet and had a great deal of information about the flora/fauna in the area as well as having some really fun stories about Captain Cook and various other historical figures. She's clearly done her homework!
Campbell was our PM guide, and he's quite a character. He had a lot of great information to share about the various eruptions that have happened on the island and took us to a few places to see old lava flows. He's pretty new to the island and the tour, though, and it does sometimes show. I'd say, after he gets a little more experience under his belt, he'll be great. He's done quite a bit of research on his own, so he did have some good information debunking some common misconceptions on the origin of various species on the island.
We were pretty disappointed that our hike out to see the lava flow was canceled, but the owner was really great to work with, and let us jump into the hike the following day so we got to see it anyway! For that trip, Shawn was our guide, and he's a very experienced guide and seems to know every single person on the island, and shared some fun local trivia with us :). Sadly, the lava wasn't flowing as strongly as it had been in previous weeks so we saw more spurts than flows, but it was still REALLY cool.
The hike down wasn't as strenuous as I was expecting, they've actually bulldozed the road so it's more like a gravel road than hiking across lava as I was (for some reason) expecting, and there weren't any inclines/declines. They are able to park further into the park than the public, though, the hike was cut down to a 3 mile hike round trip.
Aloha Lilly, We were glad that we were able to accommodate you on a second night. That was the first time that Hawaii Civil Defense blocked the lava viewing area since we have been hiking out via this shorter distance and it was a disappointment, but unfortunately, we can argue with the big guys. :) It is a major safety issue if the south winds are blowing strongly enough to have the SO2 gasses go directly into guests faces.We are glad that you enjoyed the overall experience and we hope that you will be able to visit the islands once again! Thank you for taking the time to write a lovely review and we will be sure to pass on your kind words to our guides. Mahalo!!
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| Packages: | From Hilo - delete |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/04/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/04/20 |
Reviewed by: Curtis & Laura
Pilot was an excellent "stick" and well informed. Catered to our ooohh and ahhhhs. One of best experiences ever.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/04/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/04/07 |
Reviewed by: Lori
Really great flight with amazing views of the volcano. Coleen was a superb pilot and great guide. We got some terrific views of the caldera and where the flow meets the sea. Well worth the money- a once in a lifetime experience.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/04/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/04/05 |
Reviewed by: mcavalheiro
This was by far the coolest thing I ever done in my life. Nothing compares to see an active volcano and watch the power of creation right before you eyes.
Excellent service from start to finish. The vehicles are clean and comfortable. The food was substantial for the duration of the tour. For lunch we had an nice picnic lunch at Volcanoes National Park with delicious deli-sandwiches. For dinner we stopped at a local restaurant in Pahoa town with good options for everyone. Inside the van they also carry a cooler and a basket full of snacks and drinks.
The guides were professionals, punctual, courteous and knowledgeable.
Amanda did a wonderful job of blending geography, history and culture. We learned about the flora and fauna native to the area, as well as plants and animals brought to the island. We also learned about the past and recent eruptions.
Inside the Volcanoes National Park we visited Jagger museum and Halema’uma’u Crater. We also had fun seeing the steam vents. The Iki Crater Trail is a nice and easy hike through the rainforest and after that we walked through Thurston Lava Tube.
After leaving the park we drove by Pahoa Town and I was very impressed to see how close the lava flow got to this little town in 2015 / 2016. We had dinner and then we drove to Kalapana for the best part of the day.
Nui Pohaku offers the shortest hike to the viewing point where the lava is flowing to the ocean. it was an easy 30 to 40 min walk until the end of the trail. Walking right next to the lava fields was an amazing experience and witness the explosive power of the volcano pouring lava to the ocean was unbelievable.
As the sun sets the colors change and you see the eruption getting crazy bright shades of orange, red and yellow. Once the sun is down they give you flashlights to help the hike back tot he car and we were blessed with an awesome stargazing.
Everything was as promised...and better!
Aloha! What a lovely review - thank you so much!! We appreciate the time you took to write it and turn it in! Thank you for noticing the details :) Our slogan at the office is "Excellence is in the Details" and that is what we strive to do at all times in the way of food, customer service, training, etc. I will be sure to pass on your kind words to the team! Your pictures are incredible and I would love to use some on our site with your permission. You can let me know at romeo@nuipohaku.com. We hope that you come visit us again some day!! Mahalo!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/04/06 |
Reviewed by: ホリゾウ
Thank you for the best hour. When I received the contact for the helicopter arrangement the day before, I was pedaling hard on my bike to get to Ocean Entry and didn't notice it. I confirmed via email and was able to secure a reservation for the much-anticipated doorless helicopter. On the day, the explanation was in English by a foreign pilot, and even though I didn't understand everything, I was able to see the flow of lava, the road I biked yesterday, and the sky above Ocean Entry. It was my first time riding in a helicopter, and I thought that riding in a doorless helicopter right next to me might not happen again unless I come back here. I appreciate this valuable experience. Please let me consult with you when planning my next options. Thank you.
最高の1時間ありがとうございました。
前日にヘリの手配で連絡が来た時はオーシャンエントリーへ行くため一生懸命自転車をこいでいて気づきませんでした。メールにて確認も取れ念願のドアなしヘリでの予約も取れました。当日は外人パイロットでの英語説明でしたがわからないなりに聞き溶岩の流れ・昨日自転車をこいだ道・オーシャンエントリーの空の上から見る事ができました。ヘリに乗るのも初めてでしたが、すぐ横にあるドアのないヘリに乗るのも今後ここに来るほかは無いかと思いました。貴重な体験感謝です。次回オプションを計画する時には相談させてください。ありがとうございました。
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| Packages: | キラウエア火山と壮大な自然/扉なしヘリ遊覧(2017年12月14日までのご参加) |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/03/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/03/21 |
Reviewed by: Jack
Nick and Misty did a great job interacting with the group and went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable with the tour and the information. Our day was 12 hours long and was very enjoyable from the time we were picked up at our hotel till late in the evening. The volcano lava viewing in the evening was amazing!
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are delighted to hear that you had such a great day with Nick and Misty, and stayed comfortable throughout your 12 hours on tour. We love being able to show Halema'uma'u Crater both day and night to our guests, and are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the amazing lava viewing after dinner. Mahalo for your wonderful recommendation and we hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
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| Packages: | Deluxe Volcano & Stargazing Tour |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/03/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/02/24 |
Reviewed by: AKITO
For some reason, the bus route that is not very well known allows you to return to the airport from the terminal in Hilo for $2, along with your luggage. By the way, buses leave every 80 minutes. After checking in my suitcase and a brief emergency training, it was time to board. We were grouped into sets of seven based on our weight. I was excited by the sensation of lift-off, the low-altitude flight at the start, and the view of the airport from an angle that is rarely seen, while also listening to the explanations. I felt the earth's arteries from the lava flow that fell into the sea, producing tremendous steam, and experienced the exhilaration of seeing the crater from above, which I had viewed from the observation deck yesterday, as well as enjoying the beautiful waterfall... I had a very fulfilling time. That unique shaking might be a bit tough for those who are sensitive to it.
何故かあまり知られていない路線BUS利用でヒロの町のターミナルから$2で帰りの荷物共々空港へ。因みに80分毎にBUSは出ています。で、そのトランクを預け簡単な緊急時研修の後いざ搭乗。体重を元に7名ずつのグループにされます。初めての浮揚感とスタート時の低空飛行と普段なかなか観られない側面からの空港の様子に興奮を抱きつつも解説に耳を傾ける。海に落ち凄まじい蒸気を上げる熔岩流に大地の動脈を感じ、昨日展望台から観た火口を上から見る高揚感、そして美しい滝を眺める…非常に充実した時を過ごすことが出来ました。あの独特の揺れはダメな人にはやや厳しいかも。
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/02/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/02/11 |
Reviewed by: Jan B
Loved the trip. Our driver Chris was very knowledgable and funny. Food was great and time allotted for each site was perfect. I would highly recommend this tour.
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are delighted to hear that you had such a great day with Chris and enjoyed all of the sites and treats along the way. He really keeps the day moving at a fun pace, and loves sharing his abundance of knowledge! Mahalo for your wonderful recommendation and we hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
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| Packages: | Deluxe Volcano & Stargazing Tour |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/02/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/02/07 |
Reviewed by: Duane
Hard to beat the pictures you can get from the air on this trip.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/02/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/02/14 |
Reviewed by: Jack
I am always Leary of organized tours but this one was an exception. Our guide Nick was exceptional. He went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable, and well taken care of. He has done his homework and knows the history and the island well, showing us a lot of extra things along the way such as plants, historical notes etc. it was a long day but we enjoyed every minute and would recommend to anyone.
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are so happy to hear that you had such an outstanding day with Nick and learned about some new things along the way! He is a wonderfully knowledgeable guide who genuinely loves sharing the day with our guests. Mahalo for your wonderful recommendation and we hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
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| Packages: | Deluxe Volcano & Stargazing Tour |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/02/11 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/02/07 |
Reviewed by: Stephanie
Best guided tour by far. Very professional-able to anticipate your needs and provided things you didn't even know you needed. Chris- the owner, and our guide for the night- was fantastic. His enthusiasm was contagious. Great company, great tour. Do it!
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic time with Chris. He truly is such a passionate guide who always seems to have everything ready at just the right times throughout the day. Mahalo for your wonderful recommendation and we hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
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| Packages: | Deluxe Volcano & Stargazing Tour |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/02/10 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/02/07 |
Reviewed by: Darcy S
My husband and I loved the doors off heli ride over the Kilauea volcano lava flow! Would highly recommend it!
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| Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/02/08 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/01/31 |
Reviewed by: Morichan
It was great to see the expansive views of the entire Big Island of Hawaii, the volcanic craters with visible lava, and the waterfalls in the valleys, as well as swimming whales.
広々としたハワイ島全体の景色や溶岩が見える火山口や滝が流れる渓谷のほか、泳ぐクジラも見れてよかったです
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/02/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/06 |
Reviewed by: Bob Gordon
Lee was a fantastic guide. Would highly recommend him.
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| Packages: | 6-Hour Private Van (8 to 14 passengers) |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/01/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/01/24 |
Reviewed by: Jamie
We are so happy we chose this helicopter tour. We got close for pictures and selfies and our pilot was entertaining!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/01/26 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/01/20 |
Reviewed by: Maryann
We did the Circle Island Tour, small group tour which was fantastic. I cannot say enough about this tour. It was approx. 11.5 hours but the day flew by. Our driver Kevin was amazing and informed us about everything. It was a maximum 12 people which made it very enjoyable. Our lunch break we stopped at an Orchid shop and our driver had picked us up Bento Boxes, it was delicious. We saw everything from waterfalls, rain forest, black sand beach, lava tubes, lava fields, and volcanoes and so much more. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Well worth the money.
Thank you for the great tour.
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| Packages: | Grand Circle Island & Volcanoes National Park |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/01/11 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/12/30 |
Reviewed by: H family
Our guide was very knowledgeable and attentive to detail. Viewing the volcano in the light and then at night was awesome. The restaurant was so cozy and had great food. Afterwards we hiked thru a fern forest to a lava tube. Amazing!
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are so happy to hear that you had such a great day and enjoyed being able to see Halema'uma'u Crater both day and night. Mahalo for your recommendation and we hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
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| Packages: | Deluxe Volcano & Stargazing Tour |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/01/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/12/14 |
Reviewed by: リンたん
The pilot was friendly and being Japanese made me feel at ease. Unlike most sightseeing helicopters that fly for around 20 minutes, this one flew for over 2 hours, which was very satisfying.
パイロットの方も感じが良く日本人なので安心できました。観光ヘリは20分前後が多い中でみっちり2時間以上も飛んでくれて大満足でした。
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/01/07 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/01/04 |
Reviewed by: honu
I came to Hawaii Island for the first time. I wanted to see Kilauea Volcano, but it would take too long to get there by rental car, so I joined this tour. I was worried about whether the high cost of the tour would be worth it, but the experience was even more wonderful than I imagined. The pilot was Japanese and occasionally explained things in Japanese, which made it easy to understand.
However, be prepared for the possibility of cancellations due to weather conditions. We were able to go, but the next group had their tour canceled after checking in and had to go back...
初めてのハワイで、ハワイ島に来ました。
とりあえずキラウエア火山を見たいと思っていましたが、レンタカーでは行くまでに時間がかかり1日潰れてしまうのでこのツアーに参加しました。
このツアーの料金が高いので満足できるか不安がありましたが、結果は想像以上に素晴らしいものでした。
パイロットの方が日本人で時折日本語を交えて説明してくださったので理解しやすかったです。
ただ、天候によって中止になることもあるので覚悟が必要です。
私達は乗れましたが、次の時間の人たちは受付をした後中止が決まり、帰っていきました…
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/01/02 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/12/29 |
Reviewed by: Cronin family
Although a little long in length, this tour was my favorite activity of our entire trip. We got to see a good portion of the island and its amazing landscape and learned a lot along the way. Our tour guide, Nick, was top notch. Even our two surly teens rated this one of their favorite activities, which says a lot!
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are delighted to hear that your 'ohana had such a fabulous day with Nick! He truly is a top-notch guide with so much knowledge to share and genuinely loves doing so. To hear that our activity was your favorite excursion, while on vacation, is so humbling and a beautiful reminder of why we love touring! Mahalo for your wonderful recommendation and we hope to see you folks on your next visit to the Big Island!
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| Packages: | Deluxe Volcano & Stargazing Tour |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/12/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/12/26 |
Reviewed by: Mary
We thought this would be a island tour. Yes we wanted to see the volcano that we wanted to see more too. We saw very little other than the volcano.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/12/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/12/13 |
Reviewed by: Randall F.
I'm not a religious person, but something about this experience felt sacred; crashing through rolling waves along stretches of completely uninhabited shoreline, and then coming to rest with the boat surrounded by thick volcanic smoke. Looking out through breaks in the white clouds, you can't help but feel a vague sense that you've left the world you're familiar with behind—that you've breached some dividing line and are now in a place still under the control of something incalculably ancient. This tour is refreshing, in that the excitement of a new experience will invigorate you, but it's also physically demanding. The boat ride can be a bit difficult to bear at times. That said, I wouldn't let that discourage you. Trust your own judgement, but go into it fully aware that the trip out to the lava flow is not a pleasure cruise.
Yes this is an ocean adventure out to see one of earths rarest attractions mahalo for joining us Randle and experiencing the magic of lava touching the sea.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2016/12/06 |
Reviewed by: Carolyn K.
The day we six (6) friends took this tour was fantastic. Our guide, Nick, was super. He was attentive, interesting, and very funny. We covered a lot of ground and learned a lot about the big island. Had a great lunch and a fantastic dinner. Recommend this tour for sure.
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience! We are delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic day with Nick and enjoyed all of the sights and treats throughout the day. He is an amazing guide, with top notch hospitality, who genuinely loves sharing some of our favorite spots on tour. Mahalo for your recommendation and we hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
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| Packages: | Deluxe Volcano & Stargazing Tour |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2016/12/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/11/13 |
Reviewed by: YUKO
We participated in the flight at 7 AM on November 16th! We were the only Japanese participants, which made us quite anxious, but the pilot, TOSHI, who appeared was a very cheerful and wonderful Japanese person. With 20 years of experience, he was also very good at communicating. He explained things clearly to the foreign passengers, mixing Japanese and English.
The weather that day was perfect! We could see the lava from Kilauea and the lava from the Ocean Approach clearly. More than that, the breathtaking scenery of Waipi'o Valley, which can only be seen by helicopter, left us speechless. The world’s 13th tallest waterfall was flowing beautifully. According to TOSHI, it had rained the day before, and since it was the first flight of the morning, there was a lot of water flowing. He mentioned that by around noon, the water would hardly be flowing, so I recommend an early flight for those who will participate in the future.
As for the flight itself, there was nothing to complain about, but one disappointing aspect was the hotel pickup. We were scheduled to be picked up at 5:55 AM and waited five minutes early to avoid being late, but the car actually arrived after 6:10 AM. The voucher stated to contact them if the pickup did not arrive after 15 minutes, so when I tried to get the front desk to help, the car arrived just then. It was disappointing to have woken up early for this. The pickup staff did not speak Japanese, so I couldn't voice any complaints.
Meeting TOSHI, who shares the same last name, made for an unforgettable day for us. Thank you!
11月16日の朝7時のフライトに2人で参加しました!
日本人の参加者は私たち夫婦だけで、かなり不安でしたが、登場してきたパイロットのTOSHIさんがとーっても明るくて素敵な日本人でした。20年のベテランでとーってもお話上手。
一緒に搭乗した外人さんにもわかりやすく、日本語と英語を交えて説明してくれました。
この日の天候は最高!キラウエアの溶岩も、オーシャンアプローチの溶岩もしっかり見えました。それよりもワイピオ渓谷では、ヘリコプターでしか見れない壮大な景観、言葉が出ないぐらい感動してしまいました。世界で13番目に高い滝は、しっかり水が落ちていました。TOSHIさんの話では、前日に雨が降り、朝1番でのフライトだからたくさん水が落ちている、とのこと。昼ぐらいには水はほとんど落ちないでしょう、ということなので、これから参加する方は早い時間のフライトをお勧めします。
フライトに関しては、何の申し分もないぐらいですが、1つ残念だったのが、ホテルの送迎に関して。
5時55分のお迎え予定で、遅れないようにと5分前には待っていましたが、実際に車が来たのは6時10分過ぎ。15分過ぎて迎えが来ない場合は連絡をください、とバウチャーに書いてあったので、連絡しようとフロントに動いてもらったら、車が来るというタイミング。頑張って朝早く起きたことを残念に思ったスタートでした。お迎えのスタッフは日本語ができない人たちなので、文句は何も言えませんでした。
同じ苗字のTOSHIさんとの出会いは、私達夫婦にとって、忘れられない1日になりました。
ありがとうございました!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/12/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/11/16 |
Reviewed by: Patrice
Hi - Had an informative pilot who took us over the craters - and were able to see the lava entering the sea - best way to see it! I've been told on the walk in you are not able to the lava very well and are not able to get close. An exciting thing to do for your holiday and great viewing to see it all from the air! Glad we did!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/12/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/11/17 |
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Aloha Marg, Thank you for making the long trip out to visit Hawaii! So great to hear that you had such a memorable experience. Great selfie by the way!