Hawaii Day 3

On Monday October 10, we drove to Laie to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We spent the day touring the center and going to the different island shows. Our favorite island show would have to be the Samoa and the Tonga one. In the Samoa show, the fire dancer was hilarious and so talented. He demonstrated how to make fire using sticks, how to husk a coconut, break it open with a rock, shave the coconut, and then milk it using some leaves. It was so neat to see. Also, we watched a man climb a palm tree with his bear hands and feet. It was AMAZING!!

The Tonga show was just hilarious! They picked three men from the audience to come up and help with the drumming. We all had a good laugh!

During lunch time, we were able to sit down and watch the dancers float down the river and perform. It was fun to see all of the different kinds of dances that go with the different cultures. Learning about the different customs each island had was so fun!
 

On our way to the center, we stopped and got us an Acai Berry Bowl. It has blended up berries that makes a thick smoothy, granola, bananas, and drizzled with honey. It was delicious!

Hawaiian Hula Dancer

A recreation of a boat used by acient Hawaiian's. Amanda was able to see it launched and sail while attending BYU Hawaii. The wood work on it was amazing!

Island of Figi

Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa)

Getting ready to crack open the coconut

Climbing the tree. Ver

For dinner, we were able to go to a Luau. The entertainment was great and so was the food. We were able to try a few new foods like a Poi roll (which is purple), some slimy noodles (I can't remember what they are called) and some delicious desserts.  We were definitely stuffed when we got through!

The finished product!

We shared a Pina Colada Pineapple Smoothy. It was yummy!

Enjoying some good food (notice the purple roll)

After dinner, we went around to the shops to pick up a few souvenirs. Mark and I decided awhile back that any time we go on a vacation the one souvenir we want to get is a picture that reminds us of the vacation so we can hang in our home. We found one that we really liked and it happened to be one that the fire dancer from the Samoa show painted. He was there by the shop so we were able to have him sign it.  He even drew us a picture on the back of it!

To end the night we went to the night show called, Ha: Breath of Life. We weren't allowed to take any pictures of the show so that was a bummer because it was AWESOME! The dancers were great and the whole show was so captivating. At the end of the show, they did a part with some fire dancers. That was so fun to see. They did some incredible tricks with the fire.  Overall, we had a great experience being at the PCC and made many wonderful memories.