This tour turned out to be one of our best ever! Shawn was not only a great tour guide but given the type of tour someone you end up trusting and he was great!
As described you’re picked up in a nice van, comfortable for the ride and the day is fully explained and he touches base often during the trip to make sure everyone is good.
Lots of info about the surrounding area, the impact of volcanoes on the landscape, the respect and appreciation to Hawaiian culture, and care for our safety and health as we went up the mountain.
The visitor center visit was appropriate and needed to acclimate to the oxygen changes as you went up the mountain - don’t think I fully thought about that prior to the tour and Shawn made sure we all understood and were ok!
Once up top you appreciated all that Hawaii offers both in natural beauty but to contributing to the world in learning more about the stars! All of the observatories there operating under a number of countries, all relying on the island to assist in keeping light limited, air quality clean to provide the best environment for science!
And the views were so spectacular! Once at the top we needed the jackets and gloves provided. You were warm but you still felt the wind at the top. We had plenty of time to watch the sunset, get lots of pictures and Shawn was gracious in taking as many as we wanted and the quality and his skills in taking pictures were awesome. Also in transferring pictures to us - so seamless.
A safe trip down the mountain and a stargazing experience that was so beautiful as the stars popped out all over the sky. Great views of the moon and Saturn and then a review of all the constellations by Shawn and Stephan from the sister tour.
We enjoyed the veggie sandwich and hot chocolate offered and then on the way home. Shawn was a great guide and even better driver for the long ride home after a long day.
Thanks for taking such good care of us Shawn and providing us with a memory that will last a lifetime!
Mike and Kim