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| Sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea |
I joined some tours in Hawaii these days because my friend visited me from Japan. However, I was not confident to drive by myself. At first, we joined "
Mauna Kea Summit & Stargazing Tour". This tour is to see the sunset from the top of Mauna Kea which is the highest mountain in Hawaii (4025m) and observe the stars around Onizuka Center (2800m). Actually, I have already joined this tour in 2003, but I was moved again with such beautiful sky!
I was not so interested in stars and constellation before, but this time I enjoyed the explanation and observed them. I think the guide was pretty good!
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| Rainbow fall in Hilo |
The next day, we joined the tour of Hilo town and Volcano. If I were confidence in driving, we didn't need to join this tour because I can explain basic things of volcanoes. However, I enjoyed this tour more than I expected. Main reason is that a guide (who is an old Japanese lady) was so professional and good for guiding. She was also so humble to learn new things.
She said that she had joined a workshop which had been held by volcano observatory. She learned that there are many footprints around Halema'uma'u crater. One researcher measured these footprints and guessed the height of people. His conclusion is that people who left these footprints were very tall!
Actually, I knew this story because I had met the researcher who worked for footprints and I read his paper. But it was amazing that the lady knew such new accomplishment of scientific study.
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| Halema'uma'u crater |
Halema'uma'u crater is still active with steaming. This activity release a lot of poisonous gas and so wide part of national park is closed now. We just enjoyed the daylight view of this crater. If you have a chance to stay until it gets dark, it is nice to see the night view of Halema'uma'u because it glows due to the lava lake at the bottom of the crater.
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| A guide of Polynesian Cultural Center |
In Oahu Island, we went to Polynesian Cultural Center. I didn't expect to be in guided tour, but actually we joined the tour. Guides were students who work here and study at the university next to this amusement park. Our guide was a half American and a half Japanese, and he spoke both language perfectly. He learned how to explain and guided us quite well. He also rowed the boat. The tour was calm and efficient. We didn't waste time at all.
The bottom line is ... I was impressed by professional guides. Bravo!!!
