Saturday, August 18, 2007

Polynesian Cultural Center

Tiki Hut Tours enjoyed a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center with our Cousins!




This woman is from Aotearoa or New Zealand. We've been practicing making that face. What do you think:



Emily loved the tree climbing in Samoa




John had fun twirling the Poi Balls


The Ali'i Luau was a traditional feast!


The night show was fantastic!

I think Nathan liked the Tahitians. I'm not sure, but there were more photos of these ladies than any other group! Here's another view - a little closer up:



My favorites were the drums, the Maori stick game, and the fire knife guy.


How did those guys sit on the fire without catching their grass skirts on fire?

All in all a great day. Highly recommended!

++++++++

Some thoughts, just in case you decide to go:

You need to make reservations a couple days in advance- it might be sold out if you just decide to show up.

Stay for the night show. Wow!

It's expensive, and I'm cheap. It's taken us 8 months to finally go. Luckily our totally awesome cousins paid for us. I wish we had gone sooner! Very educational. And clean. And friendly. And fun!

Take your own water bottles. It's hot.

There is no alcohol. Sorry.

Our favorite shows to watch in the day:
Samoa: tree climbing, fire starting, etc
Tonga: drums - hilarious! Stick around to throw a spear and see how they make Tapa cloth.
Tahiti: learn how to move your hips. Or at least try.
Aotearoa: I don't think there's actually a show but this is our favorite spot to try activities like - poi balls, tattoos, and the stick game


You can go back for 3 more day's after your first day. One day was enough for us, but we have a season pass and plan to go back in a few weeks.

Find some shade for the boat parade.

That Samoan fire knife guy is kind of interesting. And odd. But he has strong muscles, and he's cousins with a guy in our ward.

Fun for young kids. Middle Schoolers. High Schoolers. And adults. Seriously. We had a group with all ages, and even the most "cool" had a great time.

The park doesn't open until noon. We think eating at the McDonalds in Laie is a fun part of the day. It has a waterfall and serves haupia pie (coconut) in a Tiki Hut styled building. If you hate McDonalds, you could eat breakfast at the Hukilau Cafe (of 50 First Dates fame.)

Laie is a teeny tiny town in the North West corner of Oahu. Within a few blocks you can find the PCC, BYU Hawaii, and the Temple.

Call me, we'll meet you at the Luau!

13 comments:

Gina said...

OH my gosh that looks like SO much fun! Fabulous photos! And great captions!

This was my fave phrase from the post: "even the most "cool" had a great time" LOL

Elizabeth-W said...

I'm so happy you guys are getting to live in such a fun place--natural disasters notwithstanding!!

Mary said...

That looks totally fun! Didn't you guys go there with Laurie and Randy too? How long are the cousins staying?

Amanda said...

I've always wanted to go to that place, if I ever made it to Hawaii of course! Sounds like a lot of fun. I love the 'tatoos'. Perhaps Nathan would like you to dress up in a grass skirt and do the hula. :)

wendy said...

Mary - just John and I went to the PCC, not the whole gang. I was glad that I had been there before, because it can be a little confusing, trying to decide which area to go to , etc.

Tori :) said...

Sei has relatives that dance at the PCC, so it's almost like we hung out together... kinda.

Laurie said...

Wow! Looks like you had a great time! Wish we were back there for another temporary tattoo!

orchard_girl said...

Looks like so much fun. Rick has pictures of himself climbing coconut trees like that on his mission. Since our Hawaiian friends adopted us as family, and they have family who work at PCC, would that make us related to Tori?
Heather

Suzanne said...

So why doesn't McDonald's on the mainland have haupia pie??? ;) Yum...

O.k. I think you might be the best hostess ever! When I mail you your package, I'm seriously considering stowing away inside! :D

(Only 1 more burpcloth to crochet!)

Unknown said...

I can't believe the steady stream of guests you've had this summer. But what do you expect when you live in paradise?

And those poi balls! At our ward Luau, our polynesian sister missionaries introduced us to them!

Deanne said...

What time should we meet you at the Luau? I'd love to come and visit you (and of course it has nothing to do with your locale!) :)

Super Happy Girl said...

Tiki Hut Tours are the bestest tours ever.
WOW. That''s pretty much all I can say.

Unknown said...

I am thinking we should go into business together. Tiki Hut Tours and the Rocky Mountain High Tours.