One of the guides then talked through the different constellations and used a high intensity laser to point them out. This helps me keep RCW running and I appreciate it!Īfter leaving the summit, us and another tour group with the same company pulled over to a small outlook too admire the stars. At sunset you could see the different astronomy tours start to open up for their nightly studies.ĭisclaimer: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, if you click through the link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I could possibly earn commission. He was eager to take them and glad to try different poses. He took photos of the couples continuously. ![]() Our second guide and driver was also a professional photographer. At the top it is around 30-40 degrees, and the winds were about 15mph. The visitor’s center is at 9,000ft and the summit is at 14,000ft.Īround 11,000ft we topped the clouds and vegetation disappeared. This is so that visitors give their bodies time to adjust to the altitude change before going to the top where there is no medical access. On our assent we stopped at the Visitors Center where all travelers are required to stop for a minimum of 30 minutes. There were 10 of us total in one of those 12 passenger vans. So, we met the group in the Target parking lot close to our hotel. We booked a tour for our trip to Mauna Kea, because we read that the roads could be difficult, and some tourists have issues. We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Kona, and it was a little overpriced, but clean and a good location.Īddress: 75-146 Sarona Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Going to the Summit of Mauna Kea However, by the time we changed our room was ready and I quickly ran to get our suitcases and throw them in the room before we had to leave to go meet our tour group for Mauna Kea. Our room was not ready, so we got stuff out of our suitcases and changed. We then drove to our hotel to try to check in early. ![]() We were there around lunchtime and there was none. However, I would suggest going early in the day so that you can get parking. I think it could have been fun to make the hike or kayak, so if it is something you would be interested in, it is a unique experience. There are only one lane roads, and it is a very residential area, so it is difficult to find a spot. We just did not have the time.Īdditionally, the parking in the area was insane. Unfortunately, you can only get to the statue by a four-mile hike or kayaking. Captain Cook Monumentįrom here we drove to where the captain cook monument is located. Although it was beautiful, I would say that this stop is not worth taking the time to drive to. There were some old Hawaiian monuments, but that was it. However, I was a little disappointed that there was no commemorative sign. It was on a beach cliff and very picturesque. When we got to the point there were a ton of people fishing and locals. We drove past field of horses and cows and windmills on the winding road down to the coastline. It ended up being the longest detour and we had not planned for it, but spontaneously decided to go. We had been to the tip of Key West and taken a picture with that Southernmost Point Marker, but this was the actual southernmost point. ![]() Next, we drove to the southernmost point of the United States. I would have loved to grab lunch and eat it on one of the picnic tables they had under the palm trees. I wish we could have stayed longer it would’ve been a great place to spend a few hours. Everyone was so astounded when we said Florida because it is “so far away.” A nice native asked to take our picture and asked where we were from. We stayed taking pictures and walking around a bit. There were locals and tourists alike that were relaxing in the sand, playing in the water and soaking in the perfect day. Punalu’u was the first actual black sand beach we had visited, and it was gorgeous. The sand was not soft like I was used to, but it was fine grains of sand that had been created by volcanos. ![]() This was not a long detour and SO worth it. Our second stop was the black sand beach at Punalu’u Beach.
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