Reviewed by: L. Estrada
From the pick-up to the drop off 11 hours later, this was an absolutely fantastic tour! Our guide and driver, Jim Carey was so considerate of everyone from kids to seniors, he was totally accommodating and made excellent use of every minute. The van was clean and comfortable and he had anticipated every scenario. He was prepared with umbrellas, binoculars, flashlights, warm coats, hot chocolate and cookies and warm towels to freshen up after a day of adventures and beautiful sights. Jim was so knowledgeable about all things Kona, plants, birds, stars and he even played the Ukuele for us. Volcano National Park was truly awesome and especially at night. I really can't say enough about this tour from reservation to follow up - I could not ask for more. The lunch and dinner were great! So much thought and effort has obviously gone into this tour and Jim's enthusiasm was the icing on the cake. The concierge at the hotel said she could not even touch this tour and highly recommended Kailani Tours. This is a 10 star for sure!
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| Packages: | 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/15 |
Reviewed by: SusanShull
We enjoyed the entertainment. There were a lot of people in attendance which made this a little difficult to see especially when people were standing and crowded around. We would have preferred a venue with a smaller attendance. Food was good.
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| Packages: | Ohana Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/06 |
Reviewed by: Kate
What a wonderful tour experience to Kilauea Volcano with Kailani Tours and Chris. My husband and I greatly enjoyed the entire day and would recommend the tour to anyone seeking a rewarding day with Volcano viewing! From start to finish, the tour was very well-planned and enjoyable. Chris was a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge about sites, plants and the best times and places to enjoy Kilauea. The food, both at lunch and dinner, was first-rate and could accommodate any dietary preference. All the little touches -- like hot cocoa and cookies and an evening tour of the Thurston’s Lava Tube – made the day even more special. Our group was lucky enough to see a great view of the glow at the Volcano on a misty night and stars on the trip home. The van is quite comfortable and we were never more than 45 minutes between bathroom opportunities. Count on Chris and Kailani for a tour to exceed your expectations on the Big Island.
Aloha and Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience! We are so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful day with Chris. We'd agree that he is a wealth of knowledge whose attention to detail and hospitality are truly Top-Notch! To hear our tour even exceeded your expectations is so incredible to us. Mahalo for your excellent review and recommendation! We hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island.
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| Packages: | 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/16 |
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: omg9
The Royal Kona Luau is very good. We have been to it several times and the food is always good, and the show keeps changing for the better! There's a good chance the next time we are in Kona we will do it again.
Aloha,
We are so happy to hear that you had a great experience at our luau. Thank you for choosing us and supporting our luau.
We look forward to next visit.
Aloha,
Voyagers of the Pacific Luau Team
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Royal Kona Resort - Standard Luau Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/23 |
Reviewed by: Meesh
We really enjoyed the food and the show. Great costumes and history of the culture. If you're staying at the Royal Kona Hotel, you can see the show for free from the poolside. But the food was delicious and it was fun being included on stage and in the show itself. We're not drinkers, so the value for money wasn't there for us, but we still truly enjoyed ourselves. We brought our three kids with us and they had a lot of fun as well. It was entertaining for everyone!
Aloha,
We are so happy to hear that you and your family had a great time at our luau. Thank you very much for choosing us and supporting our luau!
Aloha,
Voyagers of the Pacific Luau Team
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Royal Kona Resort - Standard Luau Package |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/15 |
Reviewed by: Byron
We've done this ride several times over the years with UFO and have never been disappointed. Great crew who were both courteous and safe. The weather was perfect and the scenery and water were spectacular. It also was nice having just our family of 6 on the ride as well as it make it more special. Will definitely do it again. Till next time...............
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Out of this World Ride [1,200ft] |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/15 |
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: Barry Zeve
Our tour started at 11:00 AM and ended at 11:00 PM. Our guide, Jim, gathered us together into what felt like a family outing, not a tour with strangers. He sang to us, played the ukulele, chanted and prayed in Hawaiian. He told stories he learned directly from “kahunas,” the gurus of the Hawaiian culture. And his stories had messages beneath the messages that elucidated the world the ancient Hawaiians inhabited when they reached the Hawaiian Islands in 1200 AD that mysteriously still affected me this day. When we arrived at Rainbow Falls, which is more than 75 feet high, I didn’t expect to react that way I did. The falls and turquoise pools beneath them were so majestic that they didn’t seem quite real. I kept looking for the frame around the picture.
“Pele,” the goddess of the volcano, has shimmering black hair that sometimes looks like smooth volcanic rock that oozes out of the craters. Her fiery eyes smoke by day, but they become visible at night. When we returned to the craters to meet her on her terms, at night, suddenly, modern science merged with ancient magic and mysticism, and Jim’s stories took on a haunting inference I hadn’t heard in the light. After several short excursions to the perimeter of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park that even included a walk through a lava tube, Nahuku, we stopped for a scrumptious dinner in an inn reminiscent of a European, mountain lodge. As the sun set on a day filled with new information that caressed my mind and opened my imagination, I was ready to return to the smoking, lava flows to see Pele’s fiery eyes shooting glances back at me at night, asking me to question the beauty and truth of this world we live in – asking me to quietly contemplate the meaning of my life and whether paradise could actually be something real – whether promises do get fulfilled for those who learn to make a difference.
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are so happy to hear that you had such an amazing day with Jim. He is such a wonderfully knowledgeable guide who truly exudes the Aloha spirit and helps our guests connect with our beautiful island home! His Hawaiiana stories have quickly become a guest favorite and it is so humbling to hear how deeply it all resonated with you. That's exactly why we LOVE what we are able to do! Mahalo for the incredible recommendation and we truly hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/14 |
Reviewed by: Shelly Kagigebi
Good time. Good food. Very entertaining MC great. Extra amenities very nice
Aloha Shelly,
Thank you for taking the time to write a really nice review of our luau. We are so happy to hear that you had a fabulous time. Thank you for choosing and supporting our luau!
Hope to see you back again in the future!
Mahalo,
Voyagers of the Pacific Luau Team
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Royal Kona Resort - Standard Luau Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/11 |
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: Hugh
Excellent show would highly recommend this to others
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Ohana Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/10 |
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
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| 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: | |
|---|---|
| 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: | |
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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: | 2016/02/14 |
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: SMTP
Currently, the activity of Kilauea seems to be at a lull, and the orange crater is not easily visible. However, the pilot (an American on this day) skillfully maneuvered the helicopter with right and left turns, ensuring that both sides had a good view. In the attached photo, you can see the orange crater when enlarged.
In Waipi'o Valley, you can see multiple waterfalls with a significant drop against a backdrop of green forests, which were even more impressive than the crater.
今、キラウエアの活動は小康状態のようで、オレンジ色の火口はなかなか見ることができないのですが、パイロット(この日はアメリカ人)はヘリコプターを右旋回、左旋回と操り、左右いずれの席からもよく見えるよう、丁寧な操縦をしてくれました。添付した写真は拡大してみるとオレンジ色の火口が見えます。
ワイピオ渓谷では緑の森をバックにした落差が大きい、いくつもの滝を見ることができ、火口以上に圧巻でした。
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/19 |
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: Diane Viands
I ended up with some great pictures. Wasn't sure if I was getting any because it was so windy. Not complaining as I knew that it was going to be windy. I did think that we were going to fly near the volcanoes, but perhaps I read the description wrong. It was a great tour and I am glad I did the doors off tour. Collin was great! Thanks so much for the great tour!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/07 |
Reviewed by: haru
I participated because it was my dream to swim with dolphins, but it was a bit different than I expected. I think the female instructor explained the dolphins' ecology very thoroughly, but it was all in 100% English. I could hardly understand... It's embarrassing not to be able to speak English these days, and I feel self-loathing about it now. However, it was a good memory when the dolphin spun around with my signal and the kiss with the dolphin.
イルカと泳ぐのが夢で参加したのですがちょっと違ったようです。インストラクターの女性はイルカの生態などを丁寧に説明してくださったと思うのですが、とにかく100%いんぐりっしゅ。殆ど理解できず…今どき英語ができないのは恥ずかしいことで、今更ながら自己嫌悪。でも、イルカが自分のサインでクルクル回ってくれたり、イルカとのkissは良い思い出になりました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | イルカと泳ぐ!エンカウンター<シュノーケリング付き/30分> |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/21 |
Reviewed by: shige
I flew!
Experiencing this height is rare, so I enjoyed it to the fullest.
At the highest point, facing forward, I could feel the rush of wind in my ears.
When I turned my head to the side, the sound of the wind completely disappeared, and I couldn't help but think, "Fantastic." It felt like I was floating.
It's a cliché expression, but I truly felt like a bird.
In the end, I was not just skimming the surface of the water; I was dropped in, and I was glad I was wearing swim trunks.
I had a great time.
飛んできました!
ここまでの高さはめったに体験できないので、思いっきり楽しんできました。
最高地点では正面を向いていると、耳の風切り音で疾走感を味わえました。
いざ顔を横向けると風切り音は全く消えて、まさに『ファンタスティック』って言葉が出ました。浮かんでいるって感覚です。
言い尽くされた表現ですが、まるで鳥になった気分。
最後は水面すれすれどころか、しっかり落とされ海水パンツを穿いていて良かった。
十分楽しめました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 高度150メートル!デラックスプラン(~2018/12/31) |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/22 |
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: | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Reviewed by: 東京の星から
The tour planning was excellent, but the dinner and the starry sky were the best, and I was truly moved. Thanks to Sue, I had a wonderful time. I will come again.
ツアーの企画も大変良かったんですが、夕食の食事と満天の星空最高で、感激しました。スーさんのお陰様で楽しく過ごせました。また来ます。
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/08 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/05 |
Reviewed by: のすけ
I participated in the Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour on February 29. I was picked up at 2:45 PM from the Marriott Waikoloa Resort where I was staying, and we departed with guests from nearby hotels. The guide provided explanations about the scenery and the history of the Big Island during the drive, making for a fun and friendly atmosphere in the vehicle. We made a stop to take photos near the layers of solidified lava, and then headed to the Onizuka Visitor Center. At the Onizuka Visitor Center, we enjoyed a bento, miso soup, and warm tea. I had started to get tired of American food, so the white rice and miso soup were greatly appreciated. After a little over an hour of rest, we headed to the summit. The temperature at the summit was about 8 degrees, which seemed unusually warm for winter, but it was still very cold for a long stay, so I recommend dressing warmly to enjoy the outdoors for a longer time. The sea of clouds spreading below the summit and the sunset sinking into the clouds were truly breathtaking. After the sun set, we moved to the stargazing point. Under a sky full of stars, the guide provided a detailed explanation of the stars, making it an enjoyable experience.
Since this was a completely personal trip, I visited Kilauea and Hilo by rental car, but I truly felt that participating in this tour was a great decision. To save energy during the trip and enjoy safely under a knowledgeable guide, I recommend joining this tour while arranging the rest of your activities independently.
Guide ★★★★★
I was entertained with their extensive knowledge.
Photos ★★★★★
The guide helped with the settings.
They took many photos along the way.
Bento ★★★
Good portion size, but the taste was more American-style.
2月29日のマウナケア夕日・星空ツアーに参加しました。14時45分に宿泊していたマリオットワイコロアリゾートに迎えに来て頂き、近隣ホテルの方と共に出発。ガイドさんが道中も景色の説明やハワイ島の歴史等をして下さり楽しく和気藹々とした車内でした。途中停車し、溶岩が流れ固まった地層付近で写真撮影をした後オニヅカビジターセンターへ。オニヅカビジターセンターでは、お弁当、おみそしる、暖かいお茶をいただきました。日々アメリカンフードで飽き始めていたため、白いご飯とおみそしるがありがたかったです。一時間少々休憩ののち、いざ山頂へ。この日は山頂の気温は8度程度と冬にしては異常な暖かさだったようですが、それでも長時間いるにはとても寒かったので、より長く外で楽しむためにも厚着をオススメします。山頂眼下に広がる雲海、雲海の中に沈んでゆく夕日、はとにかく圧巻でした。日が沈み星空観察ポイントへ。満点の星空のもと、ガイドさんが丁寧に星空解説をして楽しませて下さりました。
今回完全に個人旅行だったため、キラウェア、ヒロ等はレンタカーで行きましたが、このツアーは参加して本当に良かったと思いました。旅の疲れをセーブし、しっかりとしたガイドさんのもと安全にたのしむためにも、他は個人手配でもこちらのみツアー参加をオススメします。
ガイドさん★★★★★
豊富な知識で楽しませて頂きました。
写真★★★★★
ガイドさんが設定の手伝いをして下さります。
道中写真を沢山撮って下さります
お弁当★★★
ボリューム◎味はアメリカ寄りの味でした。
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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: | 2016/03/07 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/29 |
Reviewed by: ぴょこた
I participated in a sunset and stargazing tour with my parents. Initially, I was considering a plan that included both the volcano and the stars, but I really didn't want to miss the sunset from the summit, so I chose this plan. (We drove to the red crater of Kilauea with a rental car.)
It turned out to be a great decision!
There were about two breaks on the way to the summit at approximately 4,200 meters, which was reassuring. We stopped at a photo spot, and both the guide's camera and our camera captured some great shots. Since it was my first time climbing a mountain over 4,000 meters, my parents, who are in their 60s, and I were a bit worried, but it was absolutely fine. It was indeed very cold at the summit, so the warm clothing, hats, and gloves that were provided were greatly appreciated. (Also, the cocoa we had at the rest stop was delicious...) The view from the summit was truly moving. Being above the clouds, I had never seen such a landscape before. The sunset was breathtaking! I kept taking photos over and over again (laughs). It was a moment when I thought, "I'm so glad I came to the Big Island." I highly recommend that everyone see it at least once.
At night, we moved to the stargazing point. The stars here were unlike anything I had ever seen before. I was amazed at how many stars were visible in the night sky! It was so moving! The guide's fun explanations and entertaining talk made the experience even more enjoyable. Additionally, I was surprised by the night sky photos. The pictures taken by the guide captured both the night sky and us beautifully; it was my first time seeing such photos. I also brought a mirrorless camera and learned techniques for photographing the night sky, allowing us to capture that beautiful sky with our own camera. (It also came in handy the next day at the red crater of the volcano! Yay☆) Thank you so much.
With the guide's humor and attentive care, both my parents and I were truly satisfied with this tour. I believe it was a wonderful experience to feel the essence of the Big Island.
両親と共にサンセットと星空観測ツアーに参加しました。
当初は火山と星空セットのプランにしようと思ったのですが、山頂でのサンセットはどうしても外したくなくて、こちらのプランにしました。(キラウエアの赤い火口はレンタカーで行きました。)
結果大正解でした!
約4200mの山頂までには休憩が2回ほどあり安心です。途中、写真スポットで停車していただき、ガイドさんのカメラと私たちのカメラの両方で撮影していただきました。
4000m級の山への登頂は初めてだったので、60過ぎの両親も私も少し心配しておりましたが、全然大丈夫でした。さすがに山頂はとてーも寒いので、貸していただける防寒着・帽子・手袋は大変ありがたかったです。(あと、途中の休憩所で飲んだココアが美味しかった…)
山頂での景色は本当に感動しました。山の上は雲よりも高く、あんな景色はいままでに見たことがありません。さらにサンセットが感動ものでした!何度も何度もシャッターをきってました(笑)ハワイ島に来て良かったな~と思った瞬間でした。ぜひ一度、見に行かれることをおすすめします。
夜になって星空観測ポイントまで移動。ここでの星空も今までに見たことがないくらい星を見ることができました。こんなに星が夜空には出ているのかー!とびっくりしました。感激です!ガイドさんの楽しい説明と関西仕込みのトークでとても盛り上がりました。さらに、夜空の写真も驚きました。ガイドさんに撮っていただいた写真は、夜空も私たちもすごくキレイに映っていて、初めての写真でした。また、一眼レフ(ミラーレス)を持参したのですが、夜空が撮影するテクを教えていただき、自分たちのカメラにもあの夜空を収めることができました。(翌日のボルケーノの赤い火口でも役に立ちましたよ~!わーい☆)本当にありがとうございました。
ガイドさんお面白さと、細やかなケアも含め、このツアーは参加し、両親共々本当に満足しています。ハワイ島を感じられるとてもいいツアーであったと思います。
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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: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/25 |
Reviewed by: Lorraine
We did this cruise last week and our boat took us all down the coast past the Cook Monument where we were able to take photos. An interesting commentary accompanied the trip and a pod of dolphins played around us. Magical! And the sunset was spectacular.
The only thing that prevented me from giving this excursion 5 stars was that the buffet ran out of food before we were all served. It didn't bother us too much and the crew was very apologetic and gave us extra drink tickets but I think some people were quite upset.
Overall we loved it .
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| Packages: | Dinner Cruise |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/21 |
Reviewed by: Casey
My husband and I recently took a Kailani Tours Hawaii trip to Kilauea Volcano. It was a very pleasant experience and probably one of the best tours we’ve ever done.
After driving about 90 minutes, we stopped to have a very nice box lunch at a rest stop near the military base. The lunches were prepared by a nice restaurant in Kona. Place mats were even provided to put on the picnic tables!
This was a tour in itself, as we were able to sample many different treats. We were even able to watch the employees preparing the cookies through a large glass wall. Everything we tasted was delicious except for the chocolate dipped squid that we thought was coconut!! I think one needs to develop a taste for the combination of chocolate and squid.
As we got closer to the volcano, the weather got progressively worse. Chris, our driver, was very adept at adjusting our schedule so that we took best advantage of the time we had. We stopped at the Rainbow falls lookout and took a short walk along the falls til we got to the huge banyan tree.
We went to the Kilauea Lodge for dinner. This looked to me to be a five star hotel and restaurant just outside the park. We were allowed to choose between a New York steak, fresh catch of the day, or a vegetarian dish.
After dinner we went back to the volcano to see it after dark. Thankfully, Kailani Tours provided very comfortable and warm Lands End parkas. Even though we were told to bring jackets, the ones we took were not warm enough as the winds were blustery, making the 45 degree weather seem much colder. We went to the lip of the Calderra where the view of the glowing lava was awe-inspiring.
As a final treat, we were given a short stargazing opportunity when we were about halfway home. The entire experience lasted from approximately 10:00 am to midnight. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything on the island, the volcano, and constellations and was very good at passing that knowledge along to us.
Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time with Chris. He is an awesome guide whose attention to detail really allows our guests to just indulge in the experience! He always makes sure that everyone has the best time possible. What an experience the chocolate squid must have been! I don't believe I've quite developed a taste for that either, but what a story to tell! Hopefully, the amazing dinner at Kilauea Lodge made your taste buds happier. Mahalo for the excellent review and we hope to see you next time you visit the Big Island!
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| Packages: | 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/03/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/18 |
Reviewed by: D Prince
Best flavored food of any luau I have attended. But the entertainment was just great. The host had the crowd singing and dancing along - it was fun. The dancers were exceptional. I would absolutely attend another luau hosted by the Waikoloa Hilton.
Aloha D Prince, mahalo for you wonderful review. We are very happy to hear you enjoyed our luau and we look forward to your return!
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| Packages: | Standard Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2016/02/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/02 |
Reviewed by: 伊賀衛門
I think it depends on the seating arrangement. As soon as you arrive, you are guided to your seat, but whether you sit next to someone or in front of someone is important.
Since it can be noisy around you and you might end up sharing a table with other guests, I recommend sitting next to someone.
席次第だったと思います。
ついてすぐ席に誘導されるのですが、
隣にしてもらうのか前にしてもらうのか重要です。
周りは騒がしく、ほかのお客さんと相席のような形になるので隣にすることをおすすめします。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | プレミアムシート |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2016/02/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2016/02/14 |
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Aloha! Mahalo for joining us on our Deluxe Volcano Experience. We are so happy to hear that you had such an awesome day with Jim. He is a wonderful, knowledgeable guide with so much Aloha to share! His Hawaiiana stories and ukulele playing have quickly become a favorite amongst our guests. We love hearing that you enjoyed all of our stops and treats along the way! Mahalo for the fantastic recommendation and we truly hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!