Aloha! - Polynesian Cultural Center

Thursday morning we were going to be picked up by the bus at 10:30 am to be taken to the Polynesian Cultural Center, so we had a quiet morning and had breakfast at the buffet there at the Marriott. It was very good. We got on the bus at 10:30, and it took about one hour and 15 minutes to get there. Our guide was Leon, and he offered, for $15 a person, to be our guide once we got to the Center. It sounded like a lot, especially after the high price we had already paid, but it was well worth it, because he knew the schedule of what shows were happening in which "village," and got us there in time to get good seats. Our first impressions were: this place is gorgeous!!!




We started off with a canoe ride, along with lots of other people!



Then we started visiting villages, and seeing demonstrations. Here the girls are doing the Tahitian hula dance.


Here I am with one of the cute Polynesian boys. Most of the young men and young women who work here are students at BYU Hawaii.



More great demonstrations.....




The different villages represent different cultures among the Polynesian people, and they have built huts that are replicas of what would be found in those certain areas.



The shapes and materials used were incredibly interesting.



These are the girls who "taught" the women how to hula. I'm not going to show the picture Tom took--I really used to be able to hula, but I guess with these artificial hips I looked pretty funny!



Next was the parade on boats down the canal. While we were waiting for that to start, we ate salads from the snack bar, and then Tom took pictures of the beautiful palm trees.



The parade started with the "Royalty," and they were followed by dancers from the different villages. It was really beautiful.









After the parade, one of the demonstrations was for the Maori dance where they use those balls on the end of ropes, swinging them around. Tom took the safe route as the photographer!
I was doing OK for awhile,


but I don't think you're suppose to end up with the thing wrapped around your head!



Then we went to our favorite show--or I should say, our favorite person. He was giving the demonstration on the Samoan culture. He was incredible! He was SO FUNNY!



He made fire by rubing 2 sticks together.....



Then he removed the coconut from the outer shell,



and then he broke it in half by hitting it once with a rock in his hand! Whenever he would do something great, he would strike a "he-man" pose and flex his muscles!



After the show, I got to have my picture taken with him (along with lots of other ladies!).



We found out later, he was the number one fire dancer in the evening program.
Part of his afternoon show was to have one of the young men climb the coconut tree!




Finally we got in line for the Luau. This is where we received our beautiful orchid leis.



The closer you are to the front of the line, the better. You get a seat up close to the front, so you can see the entertainment that goes on during dinner, and they start the buffet line with those who were at the front of the line! There was a huge dining area, with the tables beautifully set.




Here's the cooked pig that had been buried--it was delicious!



After the pig was shown, the entertainment began.



After the luau, we walked over to the theater where the night show was held. They don't allow any picture taking, but it was beautiful, and very well done. After it was over, we got back on the bus, and returned to the hotel about 11 pm. What a long day! We were so tired! But it was another great day!