Monday August 3rd was day number 6 for us. We woke up and had time do our morning routine, gym, swim, acia bowls and then get ready for our big Polynesian Cultural Day! We decided to go on the tour bus to the cultural center. It was awesome they picked us up right in front of our neighbor hotel. We had an awesome tour guide named Jerome from New Zealand. He talked the entire 45 minute bus trip. He had great stories about his country, about Hawaii, and his family. I loved his accent!! He also was very funny and had us laughing most of the trip. We had already paid for our tickets for the day and for the luau that night but while on the bus they really pushed buying the guided tour of the park. I have been to the Cultural center with my parents 10 years ago and remembered that it was pretty low key and easy to navigate but Jerome really pushed that a guided tour was better because he could get us the best seats to the shows, he would help us navigate through the crowds and we would get a free BBQ lunch out of it. The BBQ lunch sold us on the deal. At first I was a little hesitant because I'm not one to like being trapped in a group but I did think maybe in 10 years it had changed and was more busy now and so a tour guide would be helpful. Jerome was a super sales man and got the entire bus on aboard with his tour. So for 25 more bucks we got lunch and a tour with Jerome and 20 other people.
It was just as beautiful as I remember. Spencer was blown away with how cool it was all set up.
Since the bus got us there around 11:30 and the shows didn't start until noon our first stop was the BBQ lunch. The food was very good and being a buffet we probably ate way more then we would normally eat for lunch. We later joked that they probably try to fill you up at lunch so you will eat less at the luau.
After lunch we got over into our group and started the tour.
Our first stop was Jerome's country, New Zealand. Just as we started walking a huge rain storm came. We were not prepared we didn't bring anything and actually this was the first time that we had so much rain in Hawaii. It was a good thing our first show was indoors.
After that show we walked over to Tahiti. We watched the show and then got to go outside and watch and taste the coconut bread the lady was making.
This was our guide Jerome. He was teaching us about poi.
At this point I was very happy we decided to go with the tour. It was a very crowded day and with the rain that day he was very good about taking us to places that were covered when it was pouring rain and then getting us to the other places when it was dry. Also he did stop and talk a lot about interesting things.
When it was time for the canoe pageant our guide gave us a good tip on a spot to sit so we got a very good view of the show.
The rain started getting pretty hard about half way through. Lots of people ran for shelter but we actually had this street lamp thing over us that gave us a little protection and the rain didn't bother us to much we kind of liked it. It was fun to have a rainy day in paradise! (The rain did make my hair a little crazy!)
After the canoe show we headed over to Tonga. This was one of our favorite shows. They used a few men from the audience and it was very funny.
Then due to the rain I guess the Hawaii show was canceled so we just walked through the village and then in the distance I spotted one of Spencer's old friends, Alex from Jr. High!!
Super random to run into an old friend!! What are the odds to be both be in Hawaii, at the Polynesian cultural Center and in the same village? We were all pretty shocked! Alex was in the band with us in Jr High. We have seen him in more recent years at a friends wedding and I think the mall but in Hawaii was pretty crazy!
It was then time to go to our last show in Samoa. This was my favorite one.
I just loved this guy!
He was so silly and just made the show so much fun!
This guys was funny too!
and a bit on the crazy side!
After the shows were all done we headed over the IMax theater for a movie on Hawaii. The Hawaiian culture is so neat and I love how they pass it down from generation to generation! After watching the film it made me really want to do more cultural things with my kids. My mom has done so much work on our genealogy and so I hope to do some more research and bring some more rich traditions to my children. After the movie our guide said good bye to us because he had to get ready for the show that night. I was amazed how much time these students/workers put into this place. They devote their whole lives to it!! Jerome advised us to all go to our dinner locations and get our seats so that you get a good one but we decided we first wanted to go on a canoe ride.
It was very peaceful. We got to sit in the front and just enjoy the view.
We took our time getting over to the Luau. It almost felt like we had the park to ourselves. I think everyone else ran to the Luau to get seats. We were not to worried we just wanted to enjoy and check stuff out we didn't think it would be a problem to find seats. When we got to the Luau there was know one in line anymore. We didn't think anything off it but I guess they had already sat everyone.
They were so nice and found us 2 front row table seats. These seats were reserved for the super ambassadors, the people that pay like twice as much for their tickets! It was pretty cool getting to sit down in front and treated like super ambassadors! See if you don't stress and just enjoy good things come your way! The food was very yummy. We tried a little bit of everything. After dinner they brought our dessert to us! My favorite was the guava cake!!!
The dancing after dinner was amazing. Sitting in the front you could see everything! Those girls really could hold it together they were so hot and dripping sweat but you would never have known by there dancing and smiley faces.
After the dancing the host asked for any anniversary couples to come up. We had a very nice family sitting by us that offered to take pictures. I guess she is a photographer and she did a great job capturing the moment.
I loved dancing with my sweet heart!
Then a 7 year old boy came out to do a fire show! That was pretty cool!
After dinner we were hoping to go on the temple tour but just missed the bus! So we went around and looked at some stores.
Then at 7pm it was time for the Ha Breath of Life show, AMAZING!
You can't take pictures so this is all I have. It was great music, dancing and entertainment.
Then we boarded the bus watched a Hawaiian movie and got back to the hotel at 10:30pm. It was a great day full of Hawaiian culture.
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