Polynesian Cultural Center

We decided to spend the first day of the new year at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  We went back and forth about this idea.  Did we really want to spend our last full day on Oahu at the Cultural center, or did we want to spend it playing at a beach?  We were told by several people that the cultural center was "must do."  So we decided to just bite the bullet and do it.

We ended up visiting the PCC on a perfect day!  It was a little bit overcast and breezy, so we didn't get too hot standing around waiting for activities   Plus it wasn't very busy, and we were able to see and do most things we wanted to without a wait.  The kids had a blast!  Tralee loved seeing all the "hula" girls and trying out each culture's activity.  I read in a guide book that there was no way to see and do everything in one day.  The guide book was right, but I think we saw and did enough to get a good taste of various cultures.  Oh. . . and you may notice from the pictures below that we were the cheesy family dressed in identical Hawaiian outfits.  We didn't stand out AT ALL (insert sarcasm .  It was still fun, and I don't regret it!  

When we arrived the canoe show was taking place.  Each island came through on a canoe and did a special song/dance native to their island.  Tralee was mesmerized.  Hunter danced right along with some of them!

Watching the canoe show

Tralee did the "hang-loose" sign as some of the canoes floated past her.  She was so excited when someone would made it back to her.

More watching

After the canoe show we made our way over to Tonga and watched them make coconut milk, start a fire with sticks, climb a coconut tree, and do some other cool things.  The guy presenting was pretty funny. 

Climbing a tree

The man above is the one who demonstrated most of the Tongan chores men do.  He said men in Tonga do all the hunting, building, cooking, and cleaning.  He said the women's job is to tell the men what to do.  I whispered to Jim, "Let's move to Tonga."  He thought I was SO hilarious!

Tralee's attempt at starting a fire

A Tongan dude teaching us how to use. . . I forgot what they're called.

Hunter giving it a go

Tralee climbing a coconut tree

My blond Mogli climbing a tree

After all the tree fire building and tree climbing, we went on a relaxing canoe ride as a family.  Tralee was thrilled that she was able to help paddle.

Family canoe ride

Right by the canoe drop-off point there was a container of fish food for purchase.  We got Tralee some to feed the fish, but along came this duck and harpooned Tralee's fish snacks.  She thought it was hilarious, and liked feeding the duck more than the fish.

Later on at a different island, I can't remember which, Tralee and Jim tried to catch a fish the old-school islander way.

The fishing place was inside a little hut overlooking the water.  While Jim and Tralee tried to catch a fish Hunter and I had a little chat.  He looked at me and said, "This is my house mom.  It's a nice house.  Do you like my house?  You can sleep in my house if you want.  I'll let ya!"  He then proceeded to run his hands along the benches inside the hut and told me again, "This is my house.  It's a nice house."  He made me smile.

After fishing we gave spear-throwing a try.  We each picked our spears and Jim told the kids to look tough for mommy.  Almost everyone got the memo.  Hunty might not have.

Hunter was REALLY into learning how to throw a spear.  He even got his to stick in the ground!  I was so proud!

After Tralee and Hunter threw their spears a few times, it was Jim and my turn.  Tralee wanted to take pictures of us.  So I let her.

Later on we decided we should get a family picture taken since we were all matchy-matchy in our touristy outfits.  A nice guy came along and took these pictures for us.  Check out Hunter's "smile" face.  Cracks me up.  Oh. . . also, I'm not wearing any make-up this day and have blistery lips.  Pictures kind of reflect that.

I made the kids stop and let me get some pics of them.  They cooperated for the most part, and some of the pics below might make their way onto our walls.

I like this one.

I kinda love this one -- even with Hunty's undies peeking through.

Tralee took this one.  Again, I'm not wearing make-up and my lips were sore.  Not my best moment.  All that aside, Tralee's a pretty good little photographer!

Hiding.  Just try and find us!

After walking around the cultural center, we made our way to the dining hall to eat a buffet.  We bought a package deal that included a buffet with a special food item from each island.  The buffet was only okay.  There was another buffet that cost more, but looked a little tastier.  My honest opinion is they could have done a little better with the quality of the food for what we paid.  But, it wasn't awful, just not super tasty.  The dining hall had a gorgeous mural with each island represented.  It was fun to look at while eating the only-okay food.

After dinner we browsed the overpriced shops while waiting for the show to start.  Our package deal included tickets to watch Ha: Breath of Life.  The show started at 7:00, which is a normal time for a show like this to start.  The only problem was, our kids were still a little bit on Idaho time which made it 10:00 for them, and after walking around exploring the PCC all day, they didn't make it that far into the show before they got VERY tired and grumpy.  Hunter eventually conked out, but Tralee kept trying to find a comfortable way to lay down on me (Hunter was in Jim's arms).  The show was beautiful and well choreographed.  The music, chanting, dancing, and singing sucked you right in.  The first half ended with the Maori men and women doing their war chants.  They banged on their knees and chests and made crazy faces into the crowd.  I LOVED it!  And even though the show was wonderful, during intermission Jim and I made the executive decision to leave and get the kids to bed.  We knew this meant we would miss the most exciting part of the show:  The fire dancing/throwing.  We also knew we were flying home the next day and needed the kids to get a good nights rest.  So, we missed the last half.  Hopefully we can someday make it back to finish. 

Our day at the Polynesian Cultural Center was fun.  It was a great way to spend the day as a family experiencing new cultures.  I'm so glad we were able to visit.

Big Waves at the North Shore 12-31-12

We knew at some point we wanted to drive out to the North Shore and watch the surfers on the BIG waves.  We looked up the surf report and saw that the highest surf ranging between 20-30 foot waves would be on New Years Eve.  We packed our family up, and started to drive.  We passed the Dole Plantation and some other gorgeous views on the trip out.

We made it to Waimea Bay and joined a large group of  gapers as we watched the surfers who have to to have some big cajones surf on some crazy looking waves.  We also watched walls of water crash onto shore.  No one in the sand was even going near the water, there were signs posted all over, and the lifeguards even put up yellow tape to keep people away.  We were told the undercurrent was equally as rough as the waves looked.  That's why I was AMAZED as a watched surfer after surfer paddled out.  They're crazy . . . but awesome.

I didn't have a zoom lens with me, so I didn't get very many pictures of the surfers, but found a video someone took of all the surfers at Waimea Bay the day we were there.  If you care to, check it out as none of our photos really do the surf justice.  It's a long video, so just to see some big waves fast forward to around the 1.00 minute mark:

Here are some of our pics from at the beach:

Tralee wanted to go play in the water.  We told her she had to stay a beach bunny until later on when we went to a more manageable beach.

Our family's sandy feat

Our shadows

I like the way Hunty's lookin' up to his big sis.

After Waimea Bay, we climbed back in our car, and kept driving.  Eventually we found the LDS temple.  It was Monday, so everything was closed, but we got some pics of the grounds.  Gorgeous!

Jim with the kids outside the temple

Hawaiian State Flower

As the time ticked during out drive, we pulled up to the Shrimp Shack right around lunch time.  This food truck has been serving tourists and locals alike for many years, and has camped out right beside Ling's (it could be Ching's, I can't remember) store.  The store has also been there dating back to the 1920's I believe.  We enjoyed our time there, as well as some yummy food!

I wore a hat all day, as my lips were still recovering from their burn.  Jim thought I looked cute in it, even with burnt lips.

Waiting to, "suck, peel, dip, and EAT" our shrimp and WHOLE crab we bought for lunch.

Tralee with part of our crab.  Let me tell you, that crab made me want to cry it tasted so good.  I even said that after my first bite.  Tralee thought I was weird, but after she tasted some crab, she turned her head towards me and gave me a knowing nod.

 After lunch, we continued our drive home.  We saw some beautiful mountains. . . 

 and even saw some cool looking trees.  Does anybody know what kind of tree pictured below is?  We saw loads of them in the country and thought they were quite lovely.

 Driving through the country we saw some signs for some movie tours.  I guess several movies were filmed around these parts.  Parts of 50 First Dates was filmed around here, and I guess the movie crew built a set for the restaurant where Adam Sandler's character (can't think of the name) and Lucy first met around these parts as well.  You can pay for a tour.  I didn't really care all that much, but thought it was cool as that's one of my favorite movies.

We arrived to our Hawaii home, and Jim took the kids out to the beach to play while I tackled some laundry.  I didn't mind staying indoors to give my lips some time away from the sun.  I also made a new friend in the laundry room.  We looked out for each other as there were some CRAZY people in there wanting to get their laundry done too.  Remember that scene from Friends where Ross is teaching Rachel how to fend for herself at the laundromat, and she gets into it with some lady.  Yeah, it was like that!  My new buddy and I had each other's backs as navigated the laundry room together!  She was a local and actually lived in the building with her hubby and baby girl.  Super nice and I'm glad we had each other's backs!

Our New Year's celebrations were perfect.  We bought a bottle of sparkling apple cider, poured each of us a glass and took turns toasting for the new year.  We clinked glasses after each toast.  I wish I wrote down the kids' toasts, but I've completely forgot what they said.  Tralee's was really sweet, and Hunter's was totally random.

After our toasts we watched movies together until we all fell asleep.  I woke up at midnight to the sound of fireworks on the beach.  I guess Waikiki does a HUGE fireworks show that we could have seen right off the sundeck.  I listened to the fireworks explode and people cheer as I stayed snuggled next to my hubby.  I was completely and utterly content right where I was.  I did manage to find his lips in the dark, give him a smooch and whisper, "Happy New Year!" into the air as others cheered below us on the streets and beach below. 

I couldn't think of a better way to kick of 2013!