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Big Island
My daughter, who was previously too young due to age restrictions, was finally able to participate, and we joined the tour together. On the west coast of the Big Island, you can see a wonderful sunset from anywhere, so I thought we might not need to climb the mountain, but the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was indeed exceptional.
I was worried about car sickness since I heard there are unpaved parts on the road to the summit, but instead of car sickness, I ended up suffering from altitude sickness due to the lack of oxygen. However, our guide quickly provided oxygen from a tank, and we were able to enjoy the sunset and the starry sky without any issues. I was really glad to have joined a tour with a guide.
At the snow-covered summit of Mauna Kea, I was concerned about the cold, but the rental cold-weather gear from Masashi Nature School was as warm as the reviews said. For those who are sensitive to the cold, I recommend bringing something to cover your face, head, and ears, as well as heat-tech innerwear for warmth.
It was great to have explanations during the stargazing as well. Last time I visited, I did not join the summit tour and only did stargazing from the mountainside, but when it comes to viewing the stars, I saw about the same or even more this time (the stargazing after the summit tour had quite a bit of interference from headlights of cars coming down from the summit). So, if the focus is on stargazing, it might not be necessary to have the sunset from the summit, but experiencing a sunset at such a height, higher than Mount Fuji, is something you can't easily find elsewhere.
前回は年齢制限に引っかかっていた娘も参加できる年齢になり、親子で参加しました。ハワイ島西海岸ではどこからでも素晴らしい夕日がみられるので、山の上に登らなくても…と思いましたが、マウナケア山頂からの日の入りはやはり格別でした。
山頂までの道は舗装されていない部分もあるという事で車酔いを心配していましたが、車酔いよりも酸素が少ないために起きる高山病にかかってしまいました。しかし、ガイドさんがすぐに酸素ボンベで酸素補給をしてくださり、事なきを得て日の入り、星空を見ることができました。やはりガイドさんのいるツアーに参加してよかったと思いました。
雪の積もるマウナケア山頂、寒さを心配していましたがマサシネーチャーズスクールの貸出用防寒具は口コミ通り暖かかったので、寒がりな方は防寒具で隠せない顔・頭・耳をカバーするものやヒートテックインナーで防寒対策をしておけばよいと思います。
星空ウォッチングも解説していただいて見られたのがよかったです。
前回来た時には山頂ツアーではなく、山の中腹でのスターゲイジングでしたが、星空を見るという事でしたら同じくらいかそれ以上見えた（山頂ツアー後の星空ウォッチングは山頂から降りてくる車が多いのでヘッドライトに邪魔される時間が結構あるため）ので、星空…という事にフォーカスするのであれば山頂日の入りである必要はないのかもしれませんが、富士山以上の高さでの日の入りを見る体験は他ではなかなかできないと思います。
Translated by OpenAI
Guides were great fantastic experience loved it all
I signed up at my partner's strong request, and since it was quite expensive, I participated without much enthusiasm, but it turned out to be more enjoyable than I expected.
We started with a brief lecture before setting off. The wonderful scenery seen from the back of the horse was, of course, much higher than my usual view, which made it enjoyable.
The child of the foreign family accompanying us was around elementary school age, and they had a great time.
We splashed through the flowing river, and at one point, we had trouble with a horse that stopped to eat grass and wouldn’t move at all, but looking back, that became a fun memory.
連れ合いのたっての希望で申し込んだが、それなりに高額なので、気乗りせずに参加したが、思ったより楽しかった。
最初に簡単なレクチャーがあって出発。馬の背から見る素晴らしい風景は、当然ながら普段よりずっと視線が高いので楽しめた。
同行の外国人の親子連れの子供は小学生ぐらいだったが、十分楽しんでいた。
川の流れの中をジャブジャブ入って行ったり、途中で止まって草を食べ出して全然動かなくなってしまった馬に困ったりもしたが、後になればそれも楽しい思い出になった。
Translated by OpenAI
I had been looking forward to going to the Big Island of Hawaii for so long, but the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was not special; it was just beautifully ordinary, really ordinary...
Maybe it's because the sunsets on the Big Island are beautiful no matter where you watch them from...
Perhaps I've experienced too many sunrises and sunsets during my travels, both abroad and domestically...
On the tour's website, it mentioned, "Using a reflecting telescope and a laser pointer, the guide will explain the constellations and stars," and I was really looking forward to seeing the stars and the moon through the reflecting telescope. However, there was no telescope set up at the location for viewing the constellations, and there was no explanation that there wouldn't be a reflecting telescope this time, which was quite disappointing.
In the car, I was seated in a three-person row with an unfamiliar elderly man and his adult daughter. The elderly man took up quite a bit of space, so I was in a half-sitting position the whole time... I didn't say anything to the elderly man about not moving in, so the driver wasn't at fault, but I thought it would be tough if someone with a larger build sat in the same row.
念願のハワイ島に行く前から凄い凄い期待し過ぎてしまっていたので、実際に観たマウナケア山頂からの夕陽はスペシャルでは無く、普通に綺麗だった、本当に普通に…
ハワイ島はどこから夕陽を観ても綺麗過ぎだからでしょうか…
沢山の海外旅行、国内旅行で朝日・夕陽を体験し過ぎてしまったのかもしれない…
ツアーのHPに「反射望遠鏡とレーザーペンを使ってガイドが星座と星の説明」とあり、「反射望遠鏡」で観る星や月を超楽しみにしていたのに星座を観る場所には反射望遠鏡の準備もされていなくて、今回は反射望遠鏡が無いと言う説明もなくて、Wでガックリ度が増しました(涙)
＿|￣|○
車の中では3人席で知らないお爺さんと成人した娘と私。お爺さんは1人でかなり座席を所有するので私はずっと半ケツ状態でした…
特に奥に詰めないお爺さんに注意もしなかったので担当のドライバーさんには責任はありませんが、かなり体格の良い方が同じ列の席に座ると大変だと思いました。
Dear Natsurin,
This is Tomoe from Nature School. Thank you very much for participating in our tour. I would also like to express my gratitude for sharing your experience.
On this day, due to the snowfall at the summit of Mauna Kea from the previous day, there were many tourists. After enjoying the sunset, there was an accident involving a rental car that overturned around 3,200 meters on the descent. As a result, the stargazing we had planned at this altitude was affected by the traffic jam caused by the accident, and we ended up stargazing at the Onizuka Center instead. However, due to the delay caused by the accident, we arrived at the Onizuka Center at 19:40. While the stars were clearly visible, there was a rush with customers wanting to take photos and return to the hotel quickly, and it seems we forgot to set up the telescope. We did not receive any reports from our guide regarding this. (Depending on the weather on the day, there may be times when we do not set up the telescope, but we usually explain this in advance.)
To prevent such occurrences in the future, we will share your valuable feedback within our company and work on improvements.
We will do our utmost to provide a better experience during your next visit, and all of our staff sincerely look forward to your participation.
Nature School
Tomoe
natsurin様
ネイチャースクールのトモエと申します。
弊社のツアーにご参加頂きましてありがとうございました。
また体験談の投稿を頂きまして重ねてお礼を申し上げます。
この日は前日からのマウナケア山頂の積雪により一般人の観光客が多く夕陽を鑑賞後下山途中の３２００メートルあたりで一般客のレンタカーの横転事故がございまして、
予定していたこの高さでの星観測は事故による渋滞で車両のライトが明るすぎたためオニズカセンターでの星観測となりました。
ただ事故の渋滞によりツアー時間は大幅に遅れたため
１９：４０にオニズカセンター到着
星はよく見えましたが写真撮影、早くホテルに帰着されたいお客様等、バタバタしてしまい、望遠鏡を出し忘れてしまったとの事でした。ガイドからは弊社にも報告がございませんでした。
（当日の天気によっては望遠鏡を出さない事もございますが通常は事前にご説明をさせていただいております）
今後この様なことが無いようにnatsurin様の貴重なご意見を社内で共有し、改善していく所存ですので何卒宜しくお願い申し上げます。
次回のご来島の際には全力で頑張りますのでスタッフ一同natsurin様のご参加を心よりお待ち申し上げます。
ネイチャースクール
トモエ
Translated by OpenAI
I participated in this tour as a solo traveler. At first, I considered driving to Mauna Kea by rental car, but since it was my first time on the Big Island, I felt a bit anxious and decided to join the tour instead. The adjustments for altitude, the provision of warm drinks and meals, the rental of cold-weather gear (thick clothing and gloves), and the stargazing were all things I couldn't have done alone, so I truly made wonderful memories by participating. I recommend that those who are sensitive to the cold bring their own cold-weather gear. I tend to get hot, but the down jacket and long-sleeve T-shirt I brought just in case were very helpful. The summit of Mauna Kea is colder than I imagined (laughs)! Thank you, Tomo, for your assistance. Thank you very much.
ひとり旅で参加させていただきました。最初はレンタカーでマウナケアへ行くことを考えておりましたが、初めてのハワイ島に不安もあったので、ツアーに参加することを決めました。気圧の調整や温かい飲み物・食事の提供、防寒着(上下の分厚いウエア＋手袋)の貸し出しや天体観測、一人ではできないことばかりでしたので、参加して本当にいい思い出作りができました。寒がりさんはご自分で防寒着を持参することをお勧めします。私は暑がりですが、念のため持って行ったダウンジャケットとロングTシャツが役に立ちました。マウナケアの頂上は想像以上に寒いです(笑)！ tomoさん、お世話になりました。ありがとうございました。
Translated by OpenAI
This tour cannot proceed to the summit if the weather turns bad, and you won't be able to see the stars. In other words, you'll end up spending time that has no meaning. In that case, the refund is $15. While nature can be unpredictable, this tour is quite risky. Moreover, it seems that the weather often gets rough during the year-end and New Year period.
Also, when there is moonlight, the stars are not very visible. When I participated, it was just after sunset, around the first quarter moon, which created poor conditions for stargazing. If you expect a sky full of stars, it's best to check whether the moon is out just after sunset.
There are a total of seven companies offering the Mauna Kea summit tour, five of which are Japanese companies, and the remaining two are American companies, so most of the tourists at the summit are either Japanese or from English-speaking countries. Due to the thin air, you may feel quite dizzy, but since most of the journey to the summit is by car, even those who are not confident in their physical strength can participate. Note that the summit can drop below freezing. While there is a rental service for cold-weather gear, you will need to prepare your own as well. Hand warmers may not get very warm due to the thin air.
Children under 12 are not recommended to participate due to the potential risk of accidents caused by oxygen deprivation. However, locals were seen enjoying sledding and skiing with quite small children...
このツアーは天気が悪くなると、山頂まで行くことができません。星空も見えません。つまり、何の意味もない時間を過ごすことになります。その場合の返金は１５ドル。自然はままならないものとはいえ、なかなかリスキーなツアーです。しかも毎年、年末年始は天候が荒れることが多いそうです。
また、月明かりがあると星があまりきれいに見えません。
私が参加したときは上弦の月をこえたあたり、つまり日没直後ちょうど南中する、星空観望には悪条件でした。満天の星空を期待するなら、日没直後に月が出ているか、調べておいたほうがいいでしょう。
マウナケア山頂ツアーは合計７社が催行しておりそのうち５社が日本の会社、残り２社はアメリカの会社ということで、山頂は日本人か英語圏の観光客がほとんど。酸素が薄いため、かなりふらつきますが、山頂まではほぼ車中なので、体力に自信のない人でも参加可能です。なお山頂は、氷点下になります。防寒着の貸出はありますが、自前でも防寒着を用意する必要があります。カイロも酸素が薄いため、あまり熱くなりません。
１２歳以下の子どもは、万が一にでも酸欠による事故が起きた時、障害が残る可能性があるため推奨されないそうです。ローカルは結構小さな子どもを連れて、ソリやスキーを楽しんでいましたが……。
Translated by OpenAI
Our original trip was postponed due to snow on the summit of Mauna Kea but we rescheduled and had an unforgettable experience. Our guide Hank was great. As well as his astronomy expertise, he provided lots of information on Hawaiian culture. The views on the way up to the summit were spectacular. Great photographic opportunities of the sunset, views and night sky.
I would thoroughly recommend this trip.
It was more breathtaking than I had imagined! The bento was okay too! Next time, I definitely want to go see the sunrise. Nature is amazing!
想像してた以上に絶景でした✨お弁当もまぁまぁでしたし！次回は是非とも朝陽を見に行きたいです(^｡^)
自然はすごい❗️
Translated by OpenAI
Since I had never ridden a horse before, both my children (a fourth grader and a third-year middle school student) and I were very anxious. However, after listening to the instructions and getting on the horse, we quickly got the hang of it and started to enjoy ourselves. There were some unexpected moments, like when the horse started eating grass or when it almost got into a fight with the horse in front of it, but those became fun memories as well. The horses for the kids were honest and serious, so they managed to ride them without any issues. The mountain scenery was beautiful, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience.
乗馬をしたことがなかったので、私も子供たち(小４と中３)もとても不安でしたが、説明を聞いてから馬に乗ってみると、すんなりと進んでいくので、だんだんと慣れて、楽しくなってきました。途中で草を食べてしまったり、前の馬にくっついてしまってけんかになりかけたり、、とハプニングもありましたが、それもまた、楽しい思い出となりました。子供たちの馬は、素直で真面目な馬だったので、問題なく、乗りこなしていました。山の風景がとても素敵で、最高に良い経験でした。
Translated by OpenAI
This trip was solely for the purpose of this tour, and I was moved to be able to see the sunset and the starry sky! Thank you, Matsuzaki, for driving so hard despite the challenges of working with nature; I had a great time! I think it was lucky that we were able to reach the summit. It might be better to apply with that understanding during this season. Even just the drive along the expansive mountainside and the starry sky are worth participating for!
今回はこのツアーだけが目的の旅行でしたので、夕陽と星空を見る事が出来て感動しました！自然が相手のお仕事で大変なのに、一生懸命車を走らせていただきました松崎さん、ありがとうございました楽しかったです！
山頂へ行けたのはluckyだったのだと思います。この時期はそれを理解した上で申し込んだ方が良いかな？広陵とした山腹のドライブ、そして星空だけでも、参加する価値は有ります！
Translated by OpenAI
It was disappointing that we couldn't reach the summit due to bad weather, but thanks to Tomo and Big Jin, it was a very enjoyable tour. I was deeply moved by their dedication in searching for a place where we could see the sunset and the starry sky. The warm outerwear they lent us was also a high-quality jacket.
To be honest, I wondered why Tomo was so determined to take photos of the night sky, but after seeing the wonderful pictures he captured, I understood that it was indeed worth the effort. Big Jin's explanations of the constellations were also excellent!
It became a very good memory. Thank you!
悪天候のため山頂に行けなかったのは残念でしたが、ともさんとビッグじんさんのお陰でとても楽しいツアーでした。
一生懸命夕日と星空を見える場所を探して連れて行ってくださり、そのお心意気に感激しました。貸して頂いた防寒着もとても暖かくて質の良いジャケットでした。
ともさんの執念の星空写真、正直なところどうしてそこまでと思ったのですが、撮って頂いた素晴らしい写真を見て、なるほど、必死で撮って頂くだけの価値があると納得致しました。
ビッグじんさんの星座解説も秀逸でした！！
とても良い思い出になりました。
ありがとうございました。
Translated by OpenAI
I participated in this tour on my first visit to the Big Island. They took us by car to a mountain over 4,000 meters high, where we enjoyed the sunset and stargazing. The guide was very hospitable and took a lot of photos for us.
Near the summit, there was even some snow, and I couldn't help but think, "Is this really Hawaii?!" It gets particularly cold at night. They provide rental cold-weather gear, gloves, and hats, but I was glad I brought my own hand warmer. I recommend bringing layers of clothing to ensure you're well-prepared for the cold.
初ハワイ島で、こちらのツアーに参加しました。
4000メートル以上の山に車で連れて行っていただき、サンセットと星空観測を満喫できました。
ガイドさんはホスピタリティ高く、写真もたくさん撮っていただきました。
山頂付近は雪もあり、これがハワイか！？と思うほどの寒さです。夜は特に寒くなります。貸し出し用防寒着、手袋、帽子がありますが、ホッカイロを持参して良かったと思いました。脱ぎ着できる服を持参して、寒さ対策を万全にして参加することをおすすめします。
Translated by OpenAI
The summit was so windy that I couldn't climb it, but they helped me find a spot to see the sunset through the rain clouds, and they didn't give up on showing me the stars either!
I'm really grateful to Macchan!
The journey was so much fun that I couldn't stop laughing!
I truly had a wonderfully satisfying day!
I want to try for a summit revenge next time, so I hope to have your support again then!
山頂は風がすごくて登れなかったけど、雨雲掻き分けてサンセット観れる場所を探してくれたり、星も諦めることなく見せてくれました！！
まっちゃんに感謝！！
道中も笑いが止まらないくらい面白かった！
本当に大満足の1日を過ごせました！
今度は山頂リベンジしたいので、その時はまたよろしくお願いします！
Translated by OpenAI
At first, I hesitated to choose this tour because it was a bit expensive, but I made the right decision.
The sunset and the starry sky were incredibly beautiful, and I was able to take photos with my DSLR as well as the guide's camera.
They provided a lot of explanations about the stars, and I ended up falling in love with them.
It's a tour that makes you want to come back to the Big Island of Hawaii.
最初は少し高いのでこのツアーにするか迷いましたが、これに決めて正解でした。
サンセットも星空も最高にキレイに見れたし、しかも自分の一眼レフやガイドさんのカメラでも写真を撮ってくれます。
星の説明もたくさんしてくれて星が好きになりました。
またハワイ島に来たくなる、そんなツアーです。
Translated by OpenAI
The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea and the stargazing nearby were absolutely amazing. During the stargazing, the guide provided explanations about the stars, which were easy to understand. I was able to see stars that I can't see in Japan. Since the elevation is high, I was worried about altitude sickness, but it was good to have lunch at a lower elevation to acclimatize. Even so, I felt a bit uncomfortable after just a little movement. It gets cold at the summit, so make sure to prepare adequately with warm clothing like a sweatshirt.
マウナケア山頂でのサンセットと近くでの星空観測は最高に良かったです。星空観測では、ガイドさんが星の解説をしてくれて、わかりやすかったです。日本では見れない星も見れました。標高が高いので高山病が心配でしたが、中腹で高度順応をかねてお弁当を食べたのが良かったです。それでも少し動いただけで苦しくなりました。山頂は寒いのでトレーナーなどで防寒対策は万全に
Translated by OpenAI
I only walked slowly along the road, so I wanted to enjoy more varied scenery and a leisurely pace. For those who are riding a horse for the first time, it might be satisfying.
道路をゆっくり歩いただけだったので、もっと変化のある景色や並足程度は楽しみたかった。
馬に乗るのが初めての人には、満足かも。
Translated by OpenAI
The weather had been bad for about ten days leading up to the event, but on the day itself, it was clear and the sunset was incredibly beautiful, almost bringing me to tears. I knew that it was a full moon that day, so I wasn't expecting much from the starry sky, but it didn't quite turn out to be a sky full of stars. However, we were treated to a supermoon, which was very beautiful. On the way back, I even got to see a moonbow (a white rainbow), which is said to bring happiness.
Mauna Kea became my best memory from my trip to Hawaii. Our guide, Matsuzaki, was very enjoyable and provided great explanations, and he was very attentive, which made the experience even more exciting and fun.
前日まで10日間ほどお天気が悪かったそうですが、当日は快晴でサンセットが最高に綺麗で、感動で涙が出そうになりました。
星空は当日が満月だということをわかって参加していたので、期待していなかったのでよかったのですが、降るような星空というわけにはいきませんでした。でも代わりにスーパームーンということで、月が非常に綺麗でした。そして帰路、幸せになるという、月虹(白い虹）まで見ることができました。
マウナケア山がハワイ島へ行って一番の思い出になりました。
ガイドの松崎さん、ナチュラルハイ、とのことでとても楽しく説明していただき、そして豆に動いていただき、一層盛り上がり楽しい時間でした。
Translated by OpenAI
My childhood dream has come true. With our knowledgeable guide, Jin, and the wonderful people I met on the tour, I was able to celebrate an unforgettable silver wedding anniversary. Thank you very much.
子どもの頃からの夢が叶いました。知識豊富なガイドのジンさん、そしてツアーで出会った素敵な皆さん。
忘れられない銀婚式を祝うことが出来ました。ありがとうございました。
Translated by OpenAI
This time, the weather and timing were perfect, and I was able to fully enjoy the starry sky for about an hour until sunset and moonrise. The view of the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was breathtaking. The sight of world-class universities and research institutions with their observatories lined up was also impressive. The guide's explanations were interesting and enjoyable, and I got some great photos taken using various techniques, which made for wonderful memories. Next time, I would like to see the summer sky.
今回は、天候もタイミングも良く、日没の時間と月の出までの約1時間で、星空を満喫することができました。マウナケア山頂からの夕日はの眺めは、感動しました。世界トップクラスの大学や、研究機関の天文台が連なって、建っている姿も圧巻でした。ガイドさんの解説は興味深くかつ楽しく、またテクニックを駆使した写真を取ってもらい、良い記念になりました。次回は夏の空を見てみたいと思いました。
Translated by OpenAI
It was cold. It was extremely cold. Even though it's Hawaii, it's better to prepare warm clothing without underestimating it. Of course, the tour company also provides warm clothing. The sunset had colors that are beyond words, and the starry sky was on a completely different level. The guide's explanation of the constellations was very easy to understand and enjoyable.
寒かった。めちゃくちゃ寒かったです。ハワイですが 舐めて掛からず防寒着は準備した方が良いです。もちろんツアー会社さんの方でも防寒着は用意してくれています。サンセットの言葉で表現出来ない素晴らしい色合い、そして星空って言っても桁違いの星空です。ガイドさんの星座案内もとてもわかりやすく楽しめました。
Translated by OpenAI
We participated as a couple because we wanted to see the Hawaiian honeycreepers in the forest. We left the hotel at 7 AM, and our guide was Gary. The other participants were a group of three elderly American women and one older American man, all enthusiastic birdwatchers.
The tour progressed enjoyably with initial introductions and Gary's knowledgeable and humorous talk. The materials distributed to participants explained well how the Hawaiian honeycreepers have evolved according to their environment.
In the clear, sunny air, we quickly spotted the Nene (Hawaiian goose) at the golf course just outside the hotel, and the Pueo (short-eared owl) running through the grass. Gary's sharp eyes also found the Pacific golden plover and the black-crowned night heron in the distance among the grass.
Around 9:30 AM, we finally had breakfast at the entrance of the Palila Reserve on Mauna Kea, and the bread itself was delicious, exceeding our expectations. We were able to see the yellow Palila and Amakihi well in the dry forest here.
In the afternoon, we moved along Saddle Road to the cloud forest of Mauna Loa. Climbing up the lava path in the forest, the sandwich lunch was also tasty. In this forest, we saw many red Apapane and the bright red Iiwi, which we had been most eager to see. The Elepaio also showed its cute appearance. After the Iiwi appeared, the light rain that had been falling intensified, so we put on our rain gear and descended. We also enjoyed beautiful introduced species like the red-billed leiothrix and the yellow-faced grassquit, returning to the hotel at 5 PM.
Gary, our guide, provided detailed explanations about the birds as well as Hawaii's history and environment, and we were able to see a significant number of the native birds we aimed to see. It was a very enjoyable day.
森でハワイミツスイを見たくて夫婦二人で参加しました。朝7時にホテルを出発、ガイドはゲイリー。他の参加者はアメリカ人老婦人3人グループと年配のアメリカ人男性1名で、皆熱心なバードウォッチャーでした。
初めの自己紹介とゲイリーの専門知識とユーモアを交えたトークで楽しくツアーは進んでいきました。参加者に配布された資料では、ハワイのミツスイ類が環境に応じて進化してきた様子がよく説明されてました。
晴れて澄んだ空気の中、ホテルを出てすぐのゴルフ場でネネ(ハワイガン)、草原を走ってプエオ（コミミズク）が順調に出ました。ゲイリーの鋭い目は、遠くの草の中のムナグロシャコやクロガオシャコも見つけます。
マウナケアのパリラ保護区の入り口で9時半頃にやっと朝食でしたが、パンそのものもおいしく、予想以上の内容でした。ここの乾燥林で黄色のパリラとアマキヒをしっかり見られました。
午後はサドルロードをマウナロアの雲霧林へ移動。森の中、溶岩の歩道を登っていき、森の中でのサンドイッチのランチもおいしかった。
この森では、赤いアパパネ多数と、最も見たかった真っ赤なイイウィも見られました。エレパイオも可愛い姿を見せました。イイウィが出た後、それまで小降りだった雨が激しくなってきたので、雨具を着込んで下山しました。その後もベニスズメやキマユカナリアなどきれいな移入種も楽しみ、午後5時にホテルに戻りました。
ガイドのゲイリーが、鳥はもちろん、ハワイの歴史や環境など詳しく説明してくれ、目的だった固有の鳥をかなり見ることができ、たいへん楽しい一日でした。
Translated by OpenAI
The road to the summit was closed... I was really looking forward to it, so it's disappointing. At the time of departure, they said we could cancel and get a refund due to the road closure, but since there was a possibility that the closure might be lifted and I didn't have any other plans, I decided to participate. In the end, the weather wasn't good, and the road remained closed, so I couldn't see the starry sky. However, I did get to see the sunset and a rainbow through a break in the clouds, which was nice. But considering it cost nearly 40,000 yen for two people, I think it might have been better to cancel after all. (^^;
山頂までの道が通行止め。。
楽しみにしていたのに残念でしたー。
出発時、通行止めということでキャンセルも出来るし返金するとのことでしたが
ひょっとして通行止め解除になるかも？で他の予定がなかったのもあり
悩みましたが参加してみました。
結局天気が良くなくて通行止めのままだったし星空も見れなかったけど
雲の切れ目から夕日とそこから虹も見れたのまぁよかったけど
ただ
日本円で２人で４万弱なのでそれ考えるとキャンセルしても良かったな～と（＾＾；
Translated by OpenAI
I wanted to see the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea again on our 25th wedding anniversary, which I booked (though it doesn't align with Japan time) since we visited the Big Island for our honeymoon 25 years ago.
We were staying at a B&B, so we were picked up at the entrance of Kona Mountain Coffee near the airport. The large van was fully booked with 13 people. Due to bad weather, the mountain had been closed for four days, and it was finally open again… everything about this trip felt lucky!
Our guide, JIN, who was quite big, kept us entertained with his lively talk in the van (laughs). Around 3:30 PM at the Onizuka Visitor Center, we had an early dinner with bento boxes, warm miso soup, and drinks, and put on our ski pants. We took photos at a beautiful spot with a sea of clouds, and everyone bundled up in their ski jackets as we headed to the summit.
The sea of clouds changes every day, so the way the sunset reflects varies, allowing us to see different sunsets each day. The clouds looked like snow! Without any wind, we felt truly lucky. As the sun gradually set, the surroundings turned orange… it was moving. I might have extended my life (laughs).
Once the sun set, we moved down in the van because the headlamps would interfere with the observation. We waited until it got darker, and warm drinks and cookies were distributed. The star explanations were given by another tour guide, Ishikawa.
Looking up at the sky made my neck a bit sore, but the starry sky was so overwhelming it felt like they were falling. JIN took many photos with his hobbyist telescope camera, being considerate since it was our silver wedding anniversary (the photos can be downloaded later with a password). The photos that can't be captured on a smartphone will become one of our precious memories.
We were dropped off at the meeting point around 9 PM, and since we were a bit hungry, we stopped by Subway to take out sandwiches on our way back to the accommodation.
Thank you, JIN! The next day, for our final dinner, we made a reservation at a restaurant you recommended where we could see the sunset! Please continue to help many people create wonderful memories!
25年前の新婚旅行で訪れたハワイ島でもう一度マウナケア山頂からの夕陽が見たくて25回目の結婚記念日（日本時間とはずれますが）に予約をしました
私たちはB&Bに宿泊していたので、飛行場近くのコナマウンテンコーヒー入口でピックアップしていただきました
大きなバンに13名満席でした
4日間悪天候の為山がクローズしていて、久しぶりのオープンとのこと…今回の旅行は何だか全てラッキー！
大きな大きな（身体がbig）ガイドのJINさんはバンの中でも軽快トークで飽きさせません（笑）
オニヅカビジターセンターで15:30頃早夕食のお弁当と温かい味噌汁、飲み物をとり、スキーウェアのパンツを履きます。雲海が綺麗なスポットで写真を撮り、スキーウェアの上着を着て全員モコモコギュウギュウ詰めで山頂へ
雲海は毎日出方が違うので、雲海の出方によって夕陽の映り方も違い、日々違う夕陽が見れるそうです
雲海がまるで雪のよう！風もなく本当にラッキー
だんだん陽が沈み、辺りがオレンジ色に…感動です
寿命が延びたかも（笑）
陽が沈むとヘッドライトが観測の妨げになるとかで、バンで下の方へ移動します。そこでもっと暗くなるまで待ちます。暖かい飲み物とクッキーが配られました
星の説明はもう1組のツアーガイドの石川さんが
空を見上げて少し首が痛くなりましたが、降ってくるかと思うくらいの星空でした
JINさんが趣味という望遠カメラでたくさんの写真を撮ってくれました。銀婚式ということで気を遣ってたくさん撮ってくれました（写真は後日パスワードを受け取りダウンロードできます）
スマホでは撮れないような写真はまた大切な思い出のひとつになります
集合場所に送り届けてもらったのが9時頃、さすがに小腹がすいたので、宿に戻る途中、サブウェイでサンドイッチをテイクアウトして帰りました
JINさん、ありがとうございました！
翌日最終日の夕食は教えていただいた夕陽が見れるレストランに予約をして行ってきました！
これからもたくさんの人達の素敵な思い出作り、頑張って下さい！
Translated by OpenAI
On the day I participated, I was lucky enough to see a beautiful sunset and starry sky! The summit of Mauna Kea was unimaginably cold, but I was able to manage thanks to the warm clothing they provided. Additionally, they took photos at each point, and there was a service to download them for free from a dedicated site, allowing us to get pictures with the starry sky in the background that we couldn't have taken ourselves! Depending on the weather on the day of participation, it seems that you might not be able to reach the summit or see the stars well, so I really feel lucky. If I could wish for something, I would be happier if the quality of the bento was a bit higher.
私が参加した日は運よくサンセットも星空もとってもきれいに見れました！マウナケアの山頂は想像を絶する寒さでしたが、防寒着を貸し出していただけたので我慢できました。また、ポイントごとに写真も撮っていただけて、無料で専用サイトからダウンロードできるサービスもあり、自分たちで撮影することのできない星空をバックにした写真なども撮っていただけました！参加日の天候によっては、山頂まで登れなかったり星空があまり見えなかったりするようなので、本当にラッキーだったなと思います。欲を言えば、お弁当のクオリティーがもう少し高いと嬉しいです。
Translated by OpenAI
I was hoping for a starry sky, but there were clouds, and even at an altitude of 3,000 meters, I realized it was difficult to see perfectly. It was my second time, and I was disappointed.
満天の星空を期待しましたが、雲があり3000メートールの高さでも、完璧にはなかなか見ることができないことを痛感しました。二度目だったのですが、残念〜
Translated by OpenAI
I participated in this tour on November 17, 2017, expecting a sky full of stars. Unfortunately, due to strong winds, we couldn't go to the observation deck at the summit of Mauna Kea, but our guides (Ishikawa and Matsuzaki) set up another viewing point on Mauna Kea, and we were able to enjoy a very satisfying stargazing experience. They set up a telescope so we could see Saturn and shared fun stories about the stars under the real night sky. The real Milky Way is truly moving. We also had the opportunity to take photos with the starry sky as a backdrop, which became a wonderful keepsake.
Once it was confirmed that we couldn't go to the observation deck, they efficiently moved us to another sunset point, and we were able to take photos at a great timing. Despite the many challenges posed by nature, I truly appreciate the sincere efforts of the guides to make our experience enjoyable. It was a truly wonderful experience. If I ever have the chance again, I would love to see that starry sky once more.
☆2017/11/17参加
今回は満天の星空を期待し、こちらのツアーに参加させて頂きました。残念ながら強風の為マウナケア山頂の展望台に行くことが出来ませんでしたが、ガイドのお二人が(イシカワさん、マツザキさん)マウナケアの別のポイントをセッティングして下さり、大満足の星空観測を堪能する事が出来ました。土星がみられるように天体望遠鏡をセットし、皆に見せて下さったり、本物の星空の下にて楽しい星のお話をして頂きました。本物のミルキーウェイは本当に感動的です。また、星空をバックに写真撮影もして頂きました。とても良い記念になりました。
展望台に登れない事が確定した時点で、手際よく別のサンセットポイントへ移動され、とても良いタイミングで写真撮影もしていただきました。
自然に左右される事も多い中、少しでも我々を楽しませようとして下さる、ガイドの方の誠意ある対応に、本当に感謝しております。
本当に素晴らしい体験でした。もしもいつか機会があれば、またあの星空を見たいなあと思ってしまいます。
Translated by OpenAI
Our tour included three couples from the mainland besides my husband and me. There was also a Japanese tour with a guide fluent in Japanese at the same meeting time, but the instructions and riding techniques were explained so thoroughly that we had no trouble at all with the English tour.
I was unsure about wearing a helmet. If you're worried, you can wear one, but the other couples weren't wearing helmets, so we decided not to. All the horses were well-trained (though some were quite greedy and tended to wander off), so it was fine without a helmet.
There was a bag available at the stable that you could borrow for free. You can put drinks, smartphones, and digital cameras in it. One person on the same tour attached a handle to their digital camera and took lots of photos while riding. I thought it would be a hassle to carry a selfie stick, so I just took my smartphone, but I was nervous about dropping it while taking pictures. I wished I had attached it to the selfie stick.
We also rode through the beautiful nature along the river, soaking in plenty of negative ions.
It was an afternoon tour, and it drizzled a bit on the way, but we were lucky that it didn't rain at Waipi'o! I would love to go horseback riding again when I visit the Big Island.
私たちのツアーには私たち夫婦以外に本土からのカップルが3組でした。同じ集合時間で日本語が堪能なガイドによる日本語ツアーもありましたが、注意事項も乗り方も丁寧に教えて下さるので英語でも全く不便はありませんでした。
迷ったのはヘルメットの着用。心配なら着用、他のカップルは着用なしだったので着用なしで。馬はどの子も良く調教されてるので（一部かなり食いしん坊で寄り道の多い子もいましたが）ヘルメットなしでも大丈夫でした。
馬屋に蔵につけるバッグがあり、無料で借りれます。
飲み物やスマホ、デジカメなど入れておくことができます。同じツアーの方がデジカメにハンドルをつけて乗馬しながらバシバシ写真を撮ってました。私は荷物になるかとスマホの自撮り棒を外してスマホのみ持って行きましたが、落としそうでハラハラしながら撮影してました。自撮り棒につけていけば良かったなと思いました。
大自然の中川の中も進んで行きます。マイナスイオンをたっぷり浴びてきました。
午後からのツアーで、行く途中パラパラと雨が降っていましたが、ワイピオは雨が降らなくてラッキーでした！またハワイ島に行った時には乗馬したいです。
Translated by OpenAI
Since retiring at 65, my dream has been to fulfill my childhood longing for space by visiting Mauna Kea.
I spent two years planning under the conditions of a new moon during the off-season, thoroughly researching direct flight tours to the Big Island, and spent two weeks online looking into Mauna Kea tours before choosing Masashi's tour.
After witnessing the splendid sunset with the Subaru Telescope proudly glowing red, I was able to see the starry sky a little further down. However, clouds started to appear after a while, which was a bit concerning, but as Mr. Otaka suggested, waiting paid off as the skies cleared beautifully.
Everyone says it’s like a planetarium, and I thought it couldn’t be that great, but it truly felt like a planetarium.
Additionally, the Leonids meteor shower coincided with our visit, providing the best conditions with occasional shooting stars and the Milky Way.
From the moment I got into the welcoming car, Mr. Otaka's high-energy tour began. I bombarded him with various questions during the ride, and he provided precise answers that were far superior to what I found in books or online, which greatly benefited my travels in the following days.
Thank you very much.
65歳でリタイアしてからの夢は、
少年のころからの宇宙への憧れを、
マウナケアに行って満たすことでした。
2年かけて新月でシーズンオフの条件で計画し、
ハワイ島直行便ツアーを調べつくし、
2週間ネットでマウナケアツアーを調べつくして、
マサシさんのツアーを選びました。
スバル天文台が誇らしげに赤く輝く極上の夕陽を見た後、
少し下った所で星空が見えました。
が、暫くして雲が出て来てやや危なかったですが、
大高さんの言う通りに待つときれいに晴れてきました。
皆さんまるでプラネタリウムと言うけれど、
そこまでは無いでしょうと思ってましたが、
本当にプラネタリウム見たいでした。
さらにしし座流星群も重なり、
時折の流れ星と天の川最高の条件でした。
迎えの車に乗った時から大高さんのハイなツアーが始まり、
車中で様々な質問を浴びせましたが、
本やネットとは別格の的確な答えをいただき
翌日以降の旅にとっても良かったです。
ありがとうございました。
Translated by OpenAI
It was my first experience riding a horse, but I got used to it in about 30 minutes. The guide was flexible and provided support throughout the ride. Since we walked along narrow paths in the valley, the horse stopped to drink water and eat grass along the way, and we even passed by cars, which helped me improve my reins handling. They also took some great photos.
The meeting point was quite far and hard to find. I was a bit nervous during the journey, but somehow I understood the pickup fee.
乗馬初体験でしたが30分ほどで慣れてきました。
ガイドの方が前後について、臨機応変にサポートしてくれました。渓谷の細い道を歩くので途中で馬が水を飲んだり草を食べたり、途中で車とすれ違うことも、おかげで手綱さばきも上手くなりました。いい写真も撮ってくれました。
集合場所は遠くわかりづらいですね
道中ハラハラドキドキ、ピックアップの料金になぜか納得しました？
Translated by OpenAI
Had a great time with beautiful surroundings and very cooperative horses!!! Would definitely do it again.
