3.08.2008 by Colee
Thursday was freaking awesome. We woke up with an easy breezy morning. We went down to the beach for a little bit, and then met up with our group as we all headed up to the Polynesian Cultural Center. For those of you not familiar with the concept of the PCC, you can totally check it out online. But the basic idea is that 6 of the main islands in Polynesia are represented by individual villages. You can walk from village to village and learn about the culture and traditions of the island. We leaned about how to make coconut milk in Samao, we learned about drums and dancing and hula and maori greetings and way too much else to keep going. Apparently though, Samoan's pride themselves on their humor - because that guy just kept milking it.
After visiting the villages we went to a luau, which was - wow. We got to see them take the pig out of the imu (the underground fire pit that they cook in). The show with the luau was great. The host was a student from BYU-Hawaii. We were told that 70% of the employees of the center are students. You'd never guess by the level of professionalism that they show. Mom and I decided our experience wouldn't be complete with out a drink in a pineapple, so we indulged. It was totally worth it.
The night show - now THAT was a sight. I giggled a little, because it has a definite twinge of pageant. We mormons, we love our pageants. BUT, it was only pageanty for a little while and then it was just phenomenal. The fire dancers stole the show, but the whole thing was just great.
Today Mom and I took a tour up to the Dole Plantation and around the North Shore. The tour was great. We got to learn all about how pineapples grow - which is still a completely manual process - they are planted and harvested by hand. UGH. Did you know pineapples grow in plants - NOT trees, and that each plant only has 2 seasons before it has to be replanted?
Cousin Aaron (everyone is family here)was our tour guide. He taught us how to pronounce Hawaiian words and about where everything is on the island and he gave us a history lesson about why the Hawaiian flag contains the Union Jack.
He took us to eat at shrimp truck on the side of the road. Seriously. Apparently there is a huge amount of freshwater shrimp and prawns that are grown and exported from the area. It was rather tasty, even for a girl who doesn't really like shrimp.
When we got back to the hotel, we went and made arrangements for our rental car tomorrow.
Tonight was our Award dinner. We went to a place called Tiki's grill and bar. The food was tasty and the bar was open ;) Ok, most of you know that last part doesn't really mean anything to me, except that I have discovered the Lava Flow. Basically it is a pina colada with strawberries. So, take out the alcohol and you now have my second favorite drink. Mmmmmm
Ok, I still have 2 days of this paradise left, but I am already at a loss of how I am going to get everything home..... wish me luck!
After visiting the villages we went to a luau, which was - wow. We got to see them take the pig out of the imu (the underground fire pit that they cook in). The show with the luau was great. The host was a student from BYU-Hawaii. We were told that 70% of the employees of the center are students. You'd never guess by the level of professionalism that they show. Mom and I decided our experience wouldn't be complete with out a drink in a pineapple, so we indulged. It was totally worth it.
The night show - now THAT was a sight. I giggled a little, because it has a definite twinge of pageant. We mormons, we love our pageants. BUT, it was only pageanty for a little while and then it was just phenomenal. The fire dancers stole the show, but the whole thing was just great.
Today Mom and I took a tour up to the Dole Plantation and around the North Shore. The tour was great. We got to learn all about how pineapples grow - which is still a completely manual process - they are planted and harvested by hand. UGH. Did you know pineapples grow in plants - NOT trees, and that each plant only has 2 seasons before it has to be replanted?
Cousin Aaron (everyone is family here)was our tour guide. He taught us how to pronounce Hawaiian words and about where everything is on the island and he gave us a history lesson about why the Hawaiian flag contains the Union Jack.
He took us to eat at shrimp truck on the side of the road. Seriously. Apparently there is a huge amount of freshwater shrimp and prawns that are grown and exported from the area. It was rather tasty, even for a girl who doesn't really like shrimp.
When we got back to the hotel, we went and made arrangements for our rental car tomorrow.
Tonight was our Award dinner. We went to a place called Tiki's grill and bar. The food was tasty and the bar was open ;) Ok, most of you know that last part doesn't really mean anything to me, except that I have discovered the Lava Flow. Basically it is a pina colada with strawberries. So, take out the alcohol and you now have my second favorite drink. Mmmmmm
Ok, I still have 2 days of this paradise left, but I am already at a loss of how I am going to get everything home..... wish me luck!
