All Reviews for Outdoor Adventures

If you have the opportunity to visit Hawaii and the big island is on your agenda, the tour to the top of Mauna Kea is a must do !! The journey up and down the mountain is exhilarating, the views on the way up, stunning and the views from the top at sunset - unforgettable!!!!
Of course the weather gods can have their say and you could be unlucky.
Very impressed by the capability of our driver Joe who also made our star gazing even more memorable with his explanations and knowledge. You will leave with an impression of how “special” it is to visit the top of Mauna Kea and with an understanding of why the Hawaiian people see it as a place to be treated with respect

It takes a long time to get on the horse. We went down the valley in a four-wheel drive vehicle, and it was quite an old car! The engine warning light was on, which was a bit scary.
The horses are well-trained, so it's safe. Even beginners will be fine.
Also, you can't go to the bathroom for about three hours. Just a heads up. Plus, the bathroom you can use before that is really dirty!

馬に乗るまでが長い。渓谷を四駆で下っていきます。しかも結構年季の入った車！エンジンの警告灯がついていたし、ちょっと怖かったです。
馬は調教されていて安心です。初心者でも大丈夫です。
それから3時間くらいトイレに行けません。注意です。しかも、その前に行けるトイレめっちゃ汚い！

This was my second time at Mauna Kea. I barely managed to see the sunset, but unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy the starry sky. During my first visit to Mauna Kea, I was blessed with good weather and was able to fully enjoy the sea of clouds, the sunset, and the starry sky, which I realize now was very lucky.

2度目のマウナケアでした。サンセットはかろうじて見れたという感じでしたが、星空は残念ながら拝むことができません。はじめてのマウナケアは、天候に恵まれ、雲海も、サンセットも、星空も満喫できたのは、とてもラッキーだったのだと…

Mr. Matsuzaki greeted us with high energy in the welcoming car. He kept us entertained during the ride, making it a fun tour. We were blessed with great weather and enjoyed the wonderful views, and he explained the stars clearly using a laser pointer. He also shared various information about Hawaii, which made it truly enjoyable. Thank you very much.

お迎えの車でいきなりのハイテンションの松崎さん。
車内でも楽しませてくれて楽しいツアーでした。
天気にも恵まれて素晴らしい眺望を堪能して、星の説明もレーザーポインターでわかりやすく説明して下さいました。
ハワイの情報も色々と教えて下さり本当に楽しかったです。
ありがとうございました。

Its was a great tour as advertised, Pick up was on time. and Gordon is a good driver, friendly, take good cares of everyone. He and his buddy provided a great service for the entire tour. This is a great tour to take if you are just visiting big island for vacation. We were traveling light, dont want to prepare winter cloth. the tour provides what we need on the mountain. It was one of the best tour we took in big island. definitely will do again~~

This was my several visits to the Big Island, but I had never been to Mauna Kea before. One reason was my concern about altitude sickness, but after participating for the first time, I felt that worry was unnecessary. Certainly, some caution is needed, but the staff provided thorough explanations, and as long as you follow their instructions, you can enjoy a wonderful sunset and beautiful stars without any worries.

Climbing to over 4,000 meters for the first time gave me the illusion of being on another planet rather than Earth. I believe this is a sensation you can't experience anywhere else.

既に数度目のハワイ島でしたが、これまでマウナケアには行ったことがありませんでした。ひとつには高山病への心配もあったからですが、初めて参加してみて、その心配は不要だったと思いました。確かにある程度の注意は必要ですが、スタッフの方が丁寧に説明してくださり、その指示にさえ従っておれば、基本的には何の心配も無く、素晴らしい夕日と、きれいな星を堪能できます。
初めて4000メートルを超える高地に登り、地球ではなく、他の惑星に居るような錯覚を覚えました。これは他では体験できない感覚だと思います。

The natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of the Big Island of Hawaii were wonderful. I enjoyed the tropical island's eternal summer. The sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea felt like the orange sun sinking into the sea of clouds happened very quickly. In the dark night sky, the mysteries of the universe were illuminated by countless stars and the Milky Way, making me realize that Earth is just a small speck in this infinite universe. I am grateful to the Big Island of Hawaii for all the emotions it has given me.

ハワイ島の大自然と落ちつきあるゆったりした街。南国の常夏の島を楽しみました。
マウナケア山頂からの夕日は、雲海に沈むオレンジ色の太陽がとても早く感じられました。
また暗闇の夜空には、宇宙の神秘たくさんの星・天の川が天空に輝いており、地球もこの無限の星の仲間であり、改めて宇宙の大きさ、広さ、地球が宇宙では小さな一粒であると感じました。
たくさんの感動を与えてくれる島・ハワイ島に感謝します。

This tour allows you to spend most of the itinerary in a car while heading to see the sunset sinking into the sea of clouds at your feet, so even if you have some concerns about your physical fitness, you can participate with peace of mind. I was captivated by the guide's careful and interesting stories, making the time to the destination fly by. It seems that the tour can be affected by the weather, but fortunately, we were blessed with good weather on the day of participation, and despite it being a half-moon, we were able to enjoy a sky full of stars, which was fantastic.

ほとんどの行程を車で過ごして、足元に広がる雲海に沈んでいく夕陽を観に行けるツアーなので、多少体力に不安があっても安心して参加できます。ガイドさんの丁寧で面白い話に聞き入ってしまい、目的地までの時間もあっという間に感じました。天候に影響されるツアーではあるようですが、幸い参加日は天気に恵まれ、半月にも関わらず満天の星空を眺めることもできて最高でした。

I read the testimonials and decided to go on this tour, and it was a great choice. The guides, Matsuzaki and Jin, provided wonderful explanations about the stars, and I was able to take photos with the sunset. It was my first time seeing the Milky Way, and I could download the photos taken for me after returning home. It was a tour filled with great experiences. If I have the chance, I would love to participate in this tour again.

体験談を読みこのツアーに決めて大変良かったです。ガイドのMATUZAKIさん・JINさんの星の説明や、夕日と一緒に写真を取っていただけたり、ミルキーウエーを初めて見れたことや、撮っていただいた写真を家に帰ってからダウンロードできたり良いことばかりのツアーでした。もう一度でも機会があればまたこのツアーに参加したいです。

The guys were awesome. Made it fun. The horses were strong and healthy. The scenery was breathtaking, green and lush. We would have liked to ride the horses through the waterfalls, same price, but this was good too. There were wild horses and donkey that let you pet them. Overall our experiences was great. Thank you for making the day fun.

We drove down the canyon with explanations provided. The horseback riding was on well-trained horses, making for a safe experience. They also took photos for us, and the service was very kind.

峡谷を解説付きで車で下ります。乗馬はよく調教された馬で、安心して体験できました。写真も撮ってくれて、親切な対応でした。

During my stay in Kona, I unexpectedly had some time off and decided to book a tour to climb Mauna Kea. There are many regulations for climbing Mauna Kea, and I think it was definitely the right choice to join a tour. The sunset at the best timing and location, backed by the guide's extensive experience and knowledge, was truly impressive.

In the unexpectedly cold weather, the bento we received was surprisingly delicious, and the warm miso soup and drinks were much appreciated.

The weather wasn't great that day, and I couldn't experience the starry sky as I had hoped, but even when it felt hopeless with clouds covering everything, the guide pointed out the slightest signs and assured us that it would clear up if we waited a bit longer, and indeed, we were able to see the stars.

I also learned how much the brightness of the moon affects stargazing, so if I have the chance to go again, I would like to visit around the new moon.

With my expectations for the starry sky in mind, I reduced my rating by one star, but overall, I was very satisfied with the tour.

コナ滞在中、急遽休みの予定がはいり、この機会に是非マウナケアに登ってみたいと予約を入れました。マウナケアに上るには規制が多く、やはりツアーに参加して正解だったと思います。ガイドさんの豊富な経験と知識に裏打ちされたベストタイミング、ロケーションでのサンセットはさすがだと思いました。
ハワイとは思えない寒さの中、いただいたお弁当は思ったよりも（！）おいしかったし、暖かい味噌汁と飲み物はありがたかったです。
この日は若干天候がよくなくて、降り注ぐような星空は体験できませんでしたが、全面雲に覆われて絶望的な感じになったときも、わずかな兆しを逃さず、もう少し待てば晴れると言われ、その通り星空を見ることも出来ました。
また、月の明るさは星空観測にはこんなにも影響すると知りましたので、もし次回があれば、新月に近い時に行ってみたいと思います。
星空の期待を込めて、星を１つ減らしましたが、ツアー自体は大満足でした。

Since it was my first time on the Big Island of Hawaii, I decided to join a highly-rated tour for an efficient experience and chose Masashi Nature School. From the moment I was picked up to the final farewell, I received attentive and reassuring service throughout, allowing me to have a wonderful experience that I will cherish. Mauna Kea was amazing. I definitely want to join this tour again when I come back to the Big Island.

初めてのハワイ島なので、効率よく回れるツアーに参加しようと、こちらの高評価のマサシネイチャースクールを選びました。
お迎えの時点から、最後のお見送りまで終始安心できる丁寧な応対をしていただき、記念に残る素晴らしい体験ができ、感謝しております。
マウナケア山最高でした。ぜひ次回もハワイ島に来たら参加したいツアーです。

Excellent, just do it, unforgettable experience!! Thanks to Hawaii Forest and Trail group, make sure your tour is through them, in fact make sure all your Big Island tours are through them, they are AWESOME!!

I went on a stargazing tour for the first time, and it was absolutely amazing! I've never seen such a beautiful night sky before, and it made me so happy! I think everyone should experience this at least once in their life! The tour guide, Ishikawa, was very kind and thorough, making the experience enjoyable. I'm grateful! Matsuzaki was also a lot of fun, and the Ishikawa & Matsuzaki duo is the best! We were able to take photos with the starry sky as a backdrop, and I was very satisfied to receive the data for free!

今回初めて星空ツアーに行ったのですが、とても最高でした‼️
今までこんなに綺麗な星空を見たことはなく、とても幸せでした！
人生一度は見た方がいいと思いました！
またツアーガイドの石川さんはとても親切丁寧に、楽しくガイドして下さいました^_^感謝です！
また松崎さんもとても楽しく、石川&松崎ペアーは最強です！
星空をバックに写真も撮って頂き、データも無料で頂けたのでとても満足です！

I actually wanted to go horseback riding in Waipi'o Valley, but I couldn't make a reservation, so I gave up. I was able to make a reservation for horseback riding at the ranch, so I participated here instead. They didn't speak any Japanese at all, but they explained things in simple English with smiles, so I hardly had any trouble. They provide Western boots, socks, parkas, jackets, and bags, so you can go hands-free without any issues. I left my valuables with them, but I took a drink, camera, and phone in my bag. Sneakers would be fine, but I think it's better to borrow boots. I had my own socks, so I wore those. Did we ride for about 1.5 hours? We galloped and trotted around the vast ranch grounds. Since my husband was almost a beginner, I thought we would just walk, but he looked at the situation and asked if we wanted to try running, and we did a few times. The horses do gauge people to some extent, but they are calm and listen well, so I wasn't particularly worried. They smiled and said, "Come back again next year!" Thank you very much! I want to come again!

本当はワイピオ渓谷での乗馬をしたかったけど、予約が取れず断念。
牧場での乗馬の予約が取れたのでこちらに参加しました。
日本語は全く通じませんでしたが、簡単な英語で、笑顔で説明などしてくれて、ほとんど困りませんでした。
ウエスタンブーツ、靴下、パーカー、ジャケット、バッグなど貸してくれるので手ぶらで問題なしです。
貴重品は預けましたが、バッグに飲み物とカメラ、携帯を入れて持っていきました。
スニーカーでもいいでしょうが、ブーツは借りたほうがいいと思います。
靴下は持っていたので自分のを履きました。
1.5時間、めいっぱい乗ってたかな？
広大な牧場の敷地内を駆け足したり、速足したり。
夫がほぼ初めてだったので、歩くだけかなと思っていたら、こちらの様子をみて、
やってみる？と聞いてくれて、何度が走ったり。
馬もある程度人を見ますが、おとなしく、いうこと聞いてくれるので、特に心配もありませんでした。
来年もまた来てね！と笑顔^^
ありがとうございました☆また来たいです^^

Looking at the participants, my husband and I were the only Japanese. The rest were all foreigners, including Americans, Germans, Poles, and Portuguese. Additionally, the guide was an American who couldn't speak Japanese. To top it off, we were asked to introduce ourselves in English in front of everyone at the beginning of the tour. However, since we came all the way to a foreign country, a tour like this, rather than one with only Japanese participants, was quite nice! I was able to catch a glimpse of how Americans think and their everyday habits. The trekking and birdwatching were truly immersive experiences, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, making me feel how small humans are in the grand scheme of nature and the depth of the natural world. For those considering joining in the future, be sure to bring long sleeves and long pants, as well as rain gear and a hat to prepare for the temperature and rain. Also, I recommend wearing lightweight hiking boots instead of sneakers, and if possible, high-cut ones would be ideal. Additionally, the breakfast, lunch, and snacks prepared by the guide were delicious and reminiscent of an American picnic, quite different from what we are used to in Japan.

参加者の顔ぶれを見ると、日本人は私たち夫婦だけ。あとはアメリカ人、ドイツ人、ポーランド人、ポルトガル人など外人ばかり。また、ガイドさんは日本語ができないアメリカ人。挙げ句の果てに、ツアーの最初にみんなの前で英語で自己紹介をさせられた。でも、せっかく外国に来たのだから日本人ばかりのツアーでなくこんなツアーもいい！アメリカ人の思考がどうなっているのか、日常的な対応（習慣）などを垣間見ることができた。肝心のトレッキングとバードウォッチングは、都会の喧騒から離れ、まさに自然の真っ只中に放り込まれ、自然の中では「なんて人間はちっぽけなんだろう」、とか「自然の奥深さ」を感じた。なお、これから参加を検討している方は、気温や雨に対応するため、長袖や長ズボンだけでなく、上下のレインウェアや帽子が必要です。また、スニーカーではなく、軽登山靴、さらにできればハイカットのものがあればいいと思います。そのほか、ガイドさんが用意してくれた朝ごはん、昼ごはん、おやつは日本の感覚とは違ってアメリカのピクニックのようなもので美味しかった。

The staff were all cheerful and kind. It felt great to glide over the forest under the blue sky. However, the time slot I reserved was likely at maximum capacity, and we had to wait quite a bit each time we went to the new zip line. They said it would take about one to one and a half hours, but it ended up taking nearly two hours.

But since we could enjoy the scenery, I think it was still good? There was also an elderly American grandmother who was trying it for the first time, making it a zip line experience that the whole family could enjoy.

スタッフは皆さん明るく親切でした。青い空の下、森の上を滑走する感じが気持ちよかったです。ただ、予約した回が、おそらく、マックスの参加人数で、新しいジップラインに行くたびにかなり待たされました。1時間から1時間半、と言われていましたが、2時間近くかかりました。
でも、風景も楽しめたから、良かったかな？かなり年配のアメリカ人のおばあちゃまも初挑戦されていて、家族で楽しめるジップラインでした。

From the first contact at the hotel front desk, our guide Matsuzaki welcomed us with incredible enthusiasm, and the car ride was so much fun. The views from the summit of Mauna Kea, the sunset, and the stargazing were all amazing! It was cloudy on the way, but the weather at the top of the mountain was perfect! The explanations about the constellations were delivered so well that I was completely absorbed. If I can come to Hawaii again, I would definitely want to visit the Big Island and participate in Masashi's nature school tour. It was a truly satisfying tour. Thank you very much!

ホテルのフロントでのファーストコンタクトからガイドのマツザキさんがものすごいハイテンションで迎えてくれて移動中の車内もすごく楽しかったです．マウナケアの山頂で見た風景やサンセット，そして星空観測もすべてが最高でした！道中は曇ってましたが，山の上はそんなこと関係なく最高の天気！星座の解説も話し方がすごい上手で聞き入ってしまいました．次またハワイに来れたら，絶対ハワイ島にも行って，マサシのネイチャースクールのツアーに参加したいと思えるくらい満足できたツアーでした．本当にありがとうございました．

First, we took a one-hour break at the Onizuka Visitor Center for acclimatization and changing clothes, during which we had an early dinner (the bento and rice were not great). After that, we set off towards the summit of Mauna Kea. We arrived a bit early and secured a fantastic viewpoint. Then, we simply waited for the sun to set. The sea of clouds formed beautifully, allowing us to see the best sunset.

Afterward, we descended a little to view the starry sky (stargazing at the summit is not possible). I was worried about the stars due to the clouds, but perhaps because of our good fortune, the clouds dispersed just right, and we were able to see a nearly perfect starry sky. The guide provided explanations of the constellations and took photos with the starry sky as a backdrop, making it a very satisfying tour. Depending on the weather, it can be amazing.

まずは、高地順応、着替えのためオニヅカビジターセンターで１時間休憩、その時に早めの夕食（お弁当、ご飯がまずかった）をとります。
その後、マウナケア山頂に向かって出発します。少し早めに着いて、絶好のびゅうポイントをゲット。あとはひたすら太陽が沈むのを待つばかり。雲海がうまい具合にでて、最高のサンセットを見ることができました。
その後、星空を見るために少し下ります（山頂での星空見学は出来ない）。雲が出ていた分だけ星空が心配でしたが、日頃の行いが良かったせいか、うまい具合に雲が散ってくれてほぼ満天の星空を見ることができました。ガイドの方が、星座の解説や星空をバックに写真撮影をしてくれて大満足のツアーでした。
天候次第ではありますが、当たるとスゴイです。

I never imagined I could stand on a 4000m mountain, so I was moved by the scenery. The guide's explanations were great, and in a friendly atmosphere, I was able to enjoy both the sunset and the starry sky. The Milky Way was clearly visible, and I even saw a fireball at the end. Thank you very much.

4000mの山に自分が立てるなんて、これまで思ってもみなかったので、その景色に感動しました。ガイドさんの説明も上手で、和やかな雰囲気の中、サンセットも星空も楽しむことができました。天の川がはっきりとわかり、最後に火球まで。
ありがとうございました。

The dynamic nature of the Big Island of Hawaii allowed me to feel the vastness of the world, and I was filled with emotion at the beautiful sea of clouds and sunset! I am very happy to have had this experience in my life!

The Big Island is very vast, so I was glad to be taken to the scenic points safely, comfortably, and reliably on this tour. I was also very pleased to have beautiful photos taken not only with my camera but also with a high-performance camera! Additionally, I felt that one of the charms of the tour was being able to hear various stories about Hawaii's history and lifestyle in Japanese from the local guide♪

Since it was close to the full moon this time, I was worried that the starry sky might not be great, but during the full moon, seeing the moment the moon appeared and the big round moon was wonderful. I realized that there is a unique beauty every day, and the time I can go is the best! I was very satisfied to see the starry sky perfectly before the moon came out!!

Next time, I want to participate in other tours and learn more about the charms of the Big Island of Hawaii☆ I was captivated by the great nature! I definitely want to go back to the Big Island again!!!!

ハワイ島のダイナミックな大自然、世界の大きさを感じることが出来て、綺麗な雲海とサンセットには感動で胸がいっぱいになりました！！
人生の中でこの体験をすることができてとても幸せです！

とても広いハワイ島なので、こちらのツアーで安心・快適・確実に絶景ポイントに連れて行っていただけてよかったと思いました。マイカメラだけではなく、高性能な良いカメラで綺麗な写真を撮ってもらえたのもとても嬉しかったです！
また、現地在住のガイドさんからハワイの歴史・暮らし等、様々な話しを日本語で聞かせてもらえるのが、ツアーの魅力の１つだと感じます♪

今回は満月に近かった為、星空があんまりなのかなと不安でしたが、満月の時は満月の時で、月が顔を出す瞬間や大きなまん丸の月を見せてもらい、きっと毎日違った良さがあり、自分が行ける時が一番のベストなんだなと感じました！星空も月が出る前にバッチリと見る事ができ大満足でした！！

今度は他のツアーにも参加して、他のハワイ島の魅力を知りたいなと思いました☆
大自然に魅了されました！絶対にまたハワイ島に行きたいです！！！！

It was my first experience riding a horse, but I was able to enjoy it with peace of mind. The horses were well-trained and beautiful. This time I did the half-day course, but next time I want to try the full-day course.

乗馬初体験でしたが安心して楽しめました。
馬たちもしっかり調教されていて綺麗な馬たちです。
今回は半日コースでしたが次回は1日コースで楽しみたいです。

In the early morning, there was heavy rain, and I thought we might be riding in the rain, but fortunately, the weather cleared up. We drove down to the valley, but the road was steep and narrow. Arriving there was a bit nerve-wracking, but we made it. We also got to see the waterfall that I wanted to see along the way. The horseback riding tour began, and our two cute dogs joined us as well. We crossed a river along the way, which was very refreshing. However, the horse had to pee, poop, and eat grass at various points. At the end, the guide took some photos for us.

朝方に大雨が降り、雨の中での乗馬かなと思いましたが、運良く天気が回復。車で谷まで降りていきますが急坂で細い道。ちょっとビビりながらも到着。途中見たかった滝も見えました。馬に乗りツアー開始。飼っているかわいい犬２匹もいっしょについて来ました。途中川を渡ったりとても気分爽快です。でも馬は途中でおしっこ、うんこ、草を食べるなどいろいろあります。最後にガイドさんが写真を撮ってくれます。

We signed up for the 2.5-hour course for four family members. We gathered at 8:30 and arrived at the meeting point on time, but since the group for the 1.5-hour course, which was scheduled for 9:30, arrived before 9:00, we ended up starting with them and had to wait for nearly an hour after we were ready... During that time, there was no explanation given.

After being taught how to handle the horses, we set off. We all climbed up the highlands together. The weather was nice, and the views were great. We walked briskly several times, and about an hour passed.

As mentioned in other people's posts, we were wondering if we would also be on the 1.5-hour course, but along the way, we were told, "They go Long Course," and we took a different route. The other group descended and went back.

We continued to climb higher into the highlands and experienced a canter for the first time. It was for a short time, but it was an incredible speed and vibration, and I clung on desperately to avoid falling off the horse, making it a valuable experience.

After that, we arrived at a scenic viewpoint. We took photos with Maui Island in the background, with mountains and the sea, before descending. The actual riding time was about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

I think it would be less confusing if the 1.5-hour course was labeled as the "Standard Course" and the 2.5-hour course as the "Long Course." The horseback riding itself was five stars due to the perfect weather and location, but the local staff's response was somewhat lacking, so I give it four stars.

２．５時間コースに家族４人で申し込みました。
8時半集合で時間通りに集合場所に行きましたが、9時半集合の１．５時間コースのグループが9時前に到着したために、結局その人達と一緒にスタートすることになり、準備が出来てから１時間近く待たされることに…
その間なんの説明もありませんでした。
馬の扱い方を教えてもらって出発。皆で高原をどんどん登って行きます。
天気も良く、見晴らしも良好。途中何度か速歩をしながら１時間ほどがすぎました。
他の人の投稿にもあるように、自分たちも１．５時間コースになるのかなぁと思っていましたが、途中で「They go Long Course」と言われ自分たちは別のルートへ。他のグループは下山し帰っていきました。
更に高原を登って行き、途中で初めての駈歩を体験。少しの時間でしたが、すごい速さと振動に馬から落ちないよう必死にしがみつきましたが貴重な体験となりました。
その後絶景ポイントに到着。マウイ島が見晴らせる場所で山と海をバックに写真撮影をし下山となりました。
正味の乗馬時間は２時間１５分程。
１．５時間コースは「標準コース」２．５時間コースは「ロングコース」とした方が誤解がないのではと思います。
乗馬自体は最高の天気、ロケーションで星５つですが、現地の人の対応がいまいちなので星４つです。

I was worried about altitude sickness, but thanks to the guide's advice, I was able to reach the summit safely. It was thrilling to go higher than Mount Fuji, and I got to see a wonderful sunset. The stargazing was also enjoyable, and the guide explained everything well. I want to go again in a different season to see a different night sky.

高山病が心配でしたがガイドの方のアドバイスで無事に山頂行けました。富士山よりも高いところに行ったのは感激で、素晴らしいサンセットが見れました。星空観測も楽しいガイドで良くわかりました。また違う季節に違う星空を見に行きたいです。

I had heard that the oxygen is thin, but I was surprised at how difficult it was to breathe at such a high altitude! I really felt the impact of being told repeatedly to "take deep breaths." Fortunately, we had good weather and it wasn't too cold. I was a bit worried because I had been lax with my cold weather gear, but the warm clothing I was lent was very light and kept me from feeling cold at all.

The sunset is beautiful no matter where you see it, but here at 4,200 meters! Watching the bright red sun setting above the sea of clouds was truly magnificent. Then, we descended to 3,400 meters for stargazing. I checked the moon phase, and it was the fifth day after the new moon, so we could see the Milky Way clearly in the star-filled sky. The explanations about the constellations were very thorough and easy to understand. I took a lot of photos. Thank you very much!

酸素が薄いとは言われてましたが　こんなにも高所が息苦しくなるものか！と驚きでした。何度も繰り返し　”深呼吸して下さいね”と言われた事が身に染みました。お天気に恵まれた事とあまり寒くならなかったのが幸いでした。防寒対策が少しおろそかだったので心配してたのですがお貸し頂いた防寒着がとても軽くて暖かくて寒さを感じる事はありませんでした。夕日は何処でみても綺麗だなぁと思うのですが　ここは4200メートル！そう雲海を下にして見る真っ赤に燃える太陽は本当に素晴らしかったです。そして高度3400メートルまで下りての星空観察。月齢を調べ、参加した日が新月から5日目？の三日月の夜だったので　満天の星空で天の川もくっきりと観られました。星座の説明なども　とても丁寧で解りやすかったです。写真もいっぱい撮って頂きました。有難うございました。

First of all, it started with a very friendly guide (Macchan) welcoming us with a warm "aloha." He was considerate of my elderly mother and helped her into the front seat, which was easier for her to get in and out of.

That day, the bus was almost full. The scenery gradually changed from lava to more greenery. As we ascended, we entered the clouds and experienced some light rain, which made the changing views even more exciting.

To acclimatize to the altitude, we had about an hour of lunch time at the Onizuka Center before heading to the summit of Mauna Kea. The sea of clouds, sunset, and starry sky were different from what I had seen online or in guidebooks.

The 360-degree view was breathtaking. We observed the stars under some of the world's renowned observatories, in temperatures that felt unlike Hawaii. I was a bit worried about altitude sickness, but it turned out to be no problem at all.

Macchan was knowledgeable about cameras and took some wonderful photos, so I can enjoy them even after returning home. It became a lovely memory.

先ずは、とっても気さくなガイドさん（まっちゃんさん）の〜aloha〜お迎えからはじまりました。高齢の母を気遣って下さり、乗り降りのしやすい助手席に乗せていただきました。
この日はほぼ満員。
溶岩から段々と緑が増えていきます。どんどん標高があがり、途中　雲の中に突入したり、パラパラと雨が降ったりで、目まぐるしく景色が変わると共に期待もどんどん膨らんでいきます。
体を高地に慣らすためにオニヅカセンターで1時間ほどお弁当タイムを経て、マウナケア山頂へ。
ネットや、ガイドブックなどで見たものとは違う、雲海や夕陽、星空でした。
360度素晴らしい景色。世界の名だたる天文台の下での星空観測。ハワイとは思えない気温。
少しだけ心配していた高山病もまったく問題ありませんでした。
まっちゃんさんがカメラに詳しくて、とてもステキな写真を撮ってくださったので、帰国後も写真見て楽しめます。
素敵な想い出になりました。

I reserved the 9 AM session, and the confirmation email I received the day before also stated 9 AM. I left early to make sure I would arrive on time, but when I got there on the day, I found out that it had been changed to the 12:30 PM session without my knowledge. I was told that the 9 AM session was fully booked, so I had no choice but to kill time. The staff members were all very pleasant and apologized, but it seems best to directly confirm again before the day.

9時スタートの回を予約して、前日確認メールにも9時スタートとあったので
間に合うように早めに出たのに、当日行ったら12時半からの回に勝手に変更されていました。
9時からの回は一杯と断られ、仕方なく時間を潰すことになりました。
スタッフの方々は感じのよい方ばかりで、謝ってくれましたが
前日までに直接再確認したほうが良さそうです。

I went to see the starry sky ten years ago, but at that time it was snowing, and I couldn't see the sunset or the stars at all. This time, I thought, and as soon as I decided to book a tour to the Big Island of Hawaii, I made a reservation right away. It was absolutely amazing! The sunset and the starry sky were breathtaking. I was at a loss for words when I saw the endless starry sky. I look forward to the next time!

10年前に星空を観に行きましたが、その時は吹雪いており全く夕焼けも星空も観れませんでした。今回は！と思い、ツアーをハワイ島に旅行に行く事を決定したすぐに予約させて頂きました。
もう最高です！夕焼けも星空も。見渡す限りの星空には言葉も出ませんでした。また次回もお願いします。