Becoming More Cultured

Monday July 16th we headed to the North part of the island.  Our first stop was the Laie Temple.  I've seen this temple before, but was super excited to be on the temple grounds here again.  It's a beautiful building with amazing landscaping and a breathtaking view of the ocean.  What a perfect place!
In the Visitors' Center we got to visit with a sister from Taiwan and a sister from the Philipines.  It was fun to see them so excited about teaching the Gospel.

After the temple we stopped and picked up lunch and then went to this outlook to eat.  I seriously am in love with the ocean!

Enjoying the view.

After lunch we headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  LOVE IT!  We got there right in time to get a spot for the River Pageant.  These pictures are courtesy of a bored sister...

Isn't he charming?

Hawaii



Tonga

New Zealand

Royalty

Starting a fire in the SamoanVillage

Up the Coconut Tree

This is as high as he could go.  It had been raining and the tree was wet and slippery.

New Zealand Village



In the Tongan Village my dad bought us these beautiful headbands.  I got to be surrounded by the scent of Plumeria all afternoon!

This man was pulled out of the audience to play the drums.  He is from Japan and didn't speak a word of English.  It was so funny to watch them try to communicate with each other!

Tahiti

Travis noticed that there were a lot of people running around with tattoos and he just had to have one.  We searched for awhile before we found the tattoo station in the Fiji Village.  We used it to try to disguise his farmer tan. :)  Flex Travis!

It means "Warrior"

Not only were we privileged to watch Travis flex, we also got to see the smolder.

Then it was time for the luau.  Delicious food!

Natalie and Emma

The royalty

Dinner time!  Kalua pig.  YUM!

After eating way more than I should have we headed to the show.  We got to watch all the dancers and then the fire dancers at the end.  It was a wonderful day!  I love learning about other cultures and watching people take pride in their heritage.  I am so very grateful I got to be there.