6-8-11 Eliana and I pose in Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda's backyard
Friends:
Day 3 was our day to spend at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) but we were waylaid by me having an allergic reaction and a swollen eye. I had to go to Wal-Mart to get prescription eye drops so we got off to a late start. Auntie Linda asked us to stop by her house before we went to PCC because she made us jasmine leis from her garden! They were so pretty and aromatic!
6-8-11 Tropical flowers from Auntie Linda's garden adorn Eliana's hair
While we were there, we toured the Katekarus’ yard and gardens. They had a collection of amazing turtles!
6-8-11 A turtle eats hibiscus flowers
Their backyard was so pretty, we had to pose for pictures!
6-8-11 Soleil and Eliana, pretty island girls
Auntie Linda and Uncle BobKat are so sweet. Thank you for being so hospitable AGAIN! We left their house and headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
6-8-11 Soleil and Eliana, pretty girls at the Polynesian Cultural Center
The only village we got to see was Aoetearoa (New Zealand), where we saw a Maori dance show. Then it was time for the Ali’i Luau.
6-8-11 Eliana holds a fish made out of palm leaves at the Ali'i Luau
We saw the roasted kalua pig come out of the ground and carried ceremoniously to the stage.
6-8-11 The kalua pig is pulled out of the imu, the underground oven, at the Ali'i Luau
It was time to dig in. I piled my plate with rice, kalua pork, a purple taro roll, poi (the pasty starch Hawaiians eat), pineapple, chicken long rice (actually a noodle dish), and a root vegetable. I have to say that I didn’t hate the poi but it lacked flavor. It’s not something I would specifically order. I did have poi later that tasted better because it was freshly made. An interesting note about taro root (which poi is made from): if not cooked properly, it causes burning and itching in the throat. I don’t remember it from my childhood days in Hawaii so I am glad I sampled it again.
6-8-11 My meal at the Ali'i Luau - kalua pork, chicken long rice, a taro bread roll, poi, and fresh pineapple
We were treated to a nice show of Hula with a royal procession.
6-8-11 The royal dance to signal the king's entry at the luau
I love watching Hula because it is so graceful and elegant. But it’s even more amazing when kids dance and are so accomplished! I love it!
6-8-11 Kids dance with uli ulis at the Ali'i Luau
After the luau, we went to the Ha, Breath of Life Show and it was magnificent. The show featured dances from the Polynesian cultures highlighted at the PCC: Hawaii, Aotearoa, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tahiti. It was spectacular, full of special effects and a good story! Unfortunately, we could not take pictures.
But it was the perfect end to our time at the PCC. Aloha!
6-8-11 Family photo time after the Ali'i Luau
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne