Sunset and Skating - Mauna Kea, Big Island

Having been in this world for 19 years, I have come to a conclusion: humans often struggle with making up their minds. I'm sure you all know what I mean; how when it's summer you'd be like, "Ugh, I wish it's winter already." Yet, when it comes to winter, you'd be moaning about the cold and longing for the days where you could just walk around naked and order that iced mocha from Starbucks. Well, sadly, I don't have any weather-modifying charms, meaning I can't change the weather whenever I want. However, for all the adrenaline seekers out there, or more specifically, those whole always encounter the dilemma of wanting to surf in the winter and snowboard in the summer, the Big Island in Hawaii is the perfect place for you.

Now, everybody knows Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing. Almost every single amateur surfer out there is from Hawaii. So today, I am not going to talk about surfing, instead I am going to talk about snowboarding and skateboarding down Mauna Kea - the tallest mountain on earth.

My friends and I decided to go on a little adventure up to Mauna Kea on a random Saturday morning last semester. And let me tell you, that was probably one of the most spontaneous yet incredible trip I have had so far. When discussing about mountains, there is actually a huge difference in definition between "tallest" and "highest". Mount Everest is for the sure the highest mountain on earth, but the tallest mountain? Mauna Kea. I am not going to go all deep and scientific on this topic, just know that if you measure from base to peak, Mauna Kea's base begins at the bottom of the Pacific and is almost 4,000 feet taller than Mount Everest! Not only is it the tallest mountain on earth, but it is also a freakin' volcano! Well, it is roughly a million years old and the last time it erupted was approximately 4,600 years ago. So don't worry, it won't blow you up. If you want to be extra cool and adventurous, bring your snowboard and skateboard up to Mauna Kea. You can snowboard and skate down it. That's what we did up there, snowboarded and long boarded. I bet you guys are thinking, "Are you insane, how on earth am I suppose to bring a flippin' hugeass snowboard up to Mauna Kea?" No worries, this snowy dormant volcano is one of the only places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours; just throw your boards in the trunk and you'll be good to go

Speaking of the drive, keep in mind that it is going to be a long and hectic one. As mentioned, you are actually driving up a mountain that is 14,000 ft above sea level; oxygen level in the air is extremely low. I strongly recommend you to pause a while half way the peak to acclimatise. In fact, my friends and I have stopped by the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station for almost an hour. They sell hot cocoa, cup noodles, and even blankets at the station. If you happen to forget to bring anything, you can always go to the visitor centre and purchase them.

After taking thousands of so called "Instagram material" pictures of us snowboarding and longboarding, we finally decided to head back to the car. I wasn't joking when I said I could barely feel my fingers and toes; it was so cold in Mauna Kea! (Probably because we're not used to the cold considering it is Hawaii we are talking about... but still!) If you don't want to freeze yourself to death while taking those pictures, I suggest you wear gloves and thick socks with waterproof boots. You'll never know how long you'll be posing in the snow. *wink*

Mauna Kea Observatory. PC: Gabe Mcasian

As far as the beauty of snow goes, nothing can beat the sunset in Mauna Kea. You see, when you're on top of a mountain with a miraculous sunset view in front of you, you don't feel scared or cold anymore. The fear of having altitude sickness or falling off the mouton seems to gradually disappear along with the sun. You start to see life in a whole new perspective. You began to realise people are just as wonderful as sunsets. When you look at the sunset, you don't find yourself saying, "Soften that orange bit on the left hand corner." You don't find yourself trying to control the sunset; you let it make its own miracle. People in reality are the same. They are wonderful if you just let them be who they are. 

Let yourself drown in that orange hue of linings, let the warm glow of the setting sun kiss life's hurt away. Remind yourself the worst thing in the world can happen, but the next day the sun will come up. And you will eat your toast. And you will drink you tea. Because after all, the nightfall you see in front of you, is a promise of a new beginning. 

Mauna Kea Summit. PC: Gabe Mcasian

What is your favourite place to watch a sunset? How was it like?