Polynesian Cultural Centre

Our trip to the Polynesian Cultural centre began with a walk to the Waikiki Trade Centre where, after boarding our coach we followed a route along the coast with some gorgeous views.   I took countless photographs through the window, some came out some didn’t, this one did and while I know where it is, I can’t for the life of me remember its name.

 

 

Our guide, who invited us to call him Cousin Billy, pointed out the valley where the film ‘Lost’ was filmed and regaled us with various other anecdotes about films made on the island, one of which was Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

The Polynesian Cultural Centre is divided into different islands of the Pacific, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand, Hawaii and also has a exhibits from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and the Marquesas.     

 

 

A replica of a Chiefs hut, as he was the Chief, everything, including his bed, was placed higher than everyone else.

 

Drummers

 

Scenes from the canoe pageant, Samoan dancers,

 

Tahitian dancers.

 

 

We watched in awe as this guy scaled a palm tree, and then stopped to pose for pictures half way up.   He made it look soooo easy. 

 

 

In the evening we watched more dancing, these dancers represented Hawaiian royalty, as we enjoyed the luau, so much lovely food, although we’ve never come across purple bread or potatoes before.    

 

 

After the luau, we explored the shops for a while before taking our seats at the ‘HĀ Breath of Life’ evening show which was riveting.   What a spectacle, drama, dancing, drumming, fire dancing!  I could quite see why photography wasn’t allowed, those fire dancers definitely wouldn’t want to be distracted by an ill-timed flash!

 

It was a long, tiring day and there was a lot to see and take in but we had an absolutely fascinating trip to the Polynesian Cultural Centre.   Mind you we were soooooooo glad we didn’t have to drive ourselves back to the hotel afterwards!

 

Have fun, we are!