Polynesian Cultural Center-Day 6

We begin the morning of day 6 bright and early. We got all packed up and ready to be gone for the whole day. We then enjoyed a yummy buffet breakfast and headed out. We were driving the scenic way to the Center so we could stop to hike quickly. We started the day excited and ready to go.

My first pineapple drink, yummy!!!

Sadly just as we got to where we were going to hike we discovered it cost money (we had asked about this and were told it was free). It was a lot too, $12-15 a person just to hike in. We decided not even worth it!!! So instead we headed out to some shops just a little ways away. We got there earlier then we had planned so they weren't all open yet and we got to wander around.

Funny stop sign......I think I need to stop

After shopping we quickly got back in the car and headed the last little way to the Center. Again we were ahead of schedule since we had planned in time for a hike so we got to stop at the visitor's center and the Temple. It was so pretty!!

Places to watch movies

A globe of the world with all the different languages of the Book of Mormon

I loved it!!

The temple

Then we left and drove the few miles (like 3) to the Cultural Center.

Arriving

We met up with our group. We paid to be ambassadors and got a tour guide to lead us around which is definitely needed. But you also can come back with this package for free. We did a little introduction of everyone in our group, got some nut leis, and then went on a boat ride through the villages.

After the boat ride we went to the different islands and saw different presentations.

One of our tour guides, we had two since one was new and one was leaving in 2 weeks

In this tribe we learned how to weave. We made fish that swam up a line. Brian really struggled at this. It was so funny at the end when he was like mine doesn't look like a fish and I saw it.

They do a break for the villages and do a boat parade down the river with all the islands dancers. It was neat to see them all.

After the boat parade we booked it to the next presentation. It was probably my favorite because these people were so funny. It was a nice relaxing time at this performance.

This guy was funny too. He kept doing the Heisman and talking in different languages to be funny. He spoke really slowly and stopped to laugh at himself too. But he cracked open a coconut, shaved out the inside, and made coconut milk. Then we saw someone climb up a coconut tree.

After that it was time for our Luau. Luckily our breakfast seriously lasted until this. The show was really cool to watch and the food was delicious.

Oh and we had front row seats. Great!!! This was also included in our package we purchased.

yummy smoothies we ordered. They were so good.

After the Luau, we got to go backstage of the last show we were going to. It was fun to see where they all got ready, watch them practice, and hear the history behind things.

The fire throwers wear these since they don't catch on fire. They aren't allowed out without them

The instrument room to keep them at the perfect temperature so they don't wear out too fast

This mirror was in the original theater and now the dancers here have it just like a lot of their family did since there are a lot of generations that have all done the show.

Above the mirror is this sign

As we were leaving backstage they showed us that the Church and Center still have so much land that they could expand to if it was needed. If I remember right there is still 40+ acres behind these buildings. Which is crazy because it is really big as it is. I would have been lost without a guide. They told us it takes about 26-27 hours to do everything at the Cultural Center.

The land they can still expand on

After our tour we window shopped a little and then it was time for the show (again our package gave us 2nd row seats). It was an amazing show with a great story to it. Our favorite part had to be the fire dancers/throwers. So cool!!! Never could even dream of doing what they did.

Picture with the fire thrower-he is wearing tea leaves to protect him since they don't catch on fire.

Then we got out of there as fast as we could. We knew we would hit a lot of traffic so it was going to be a long ride home and we still had to pack to go home. But we did make one quick detour to Brian's mission buddy's house. We had a fun little visit with him and his wife. We then headed back to the hotel and packed up our stuff. Luckily Brian and I had no weight limits and we got everything in.

One more picture of our leis and fish since they weren't going to make it home

It was the perfect ending to our trip in Hawaii. Although we didn't get to see everything at the Polynesian Cultural Center, I would recommend it to anyone. It was a great way to end the trip appreciating the culture we had been enjoying.