Rapa Nui, Aoterea and other interesting Polynesian locations

My sister and I went to the Polynesian Cultural Center today, and we learned a great deal about Polynesian countries and culture. The PCC is sort of a hybrid location - part entertaining low key, small theme park layout (different areas for each Polynesian land with shows and activities in each), part educational museum (even including an iMax theatre as many museums do), and part theatre (more on that below).

The first thing we saw when we arrived was a show with dance and music showcasing each Polynesian culture - performed on moving platform canoes!



Then we watched the iMax movie, which featured loads of breathtaking scenery from all the Polynesian countries, including one with snow! Here's a picture of that location's name - which you most likely haven't heard before, although I'm willing to bet you have heard of this country. (Don't worry, I'll identify it later.)



After the movie, we took a relaxing boat ride through the entire park, and enjoyed the information provided by our guide, along with his sense of humor.

We also had a good time just being goofy, posing at the sign for each location (one example you've already seen - here are a couple more).





Here are a few examples of all the fun we had. Jocelyn practiced spear tossing in Tonga...



...we got "tatoos" in Fiji...





...then enjoyed a performance in Aotearoa (oh, by the way, that's New Zealand)...



...visited Rapa Nui (and learned that's Easter Island)...



...where we decided to continue the goofiness by giving the statue kisses!



We did a little shopping, although I didn't buy any of the gorgeous quilts. But here's a picture of one of my favorites.



And that still wasn't all of it! There was a luau for dinner, complete with traditional kalua pork.



See how gorgeous my sister looked in her fresh flower lei?



I thoroughly enjoyed my mango smoothie served in a fresh pineapple.



There were several traditional dances performed during the luau...



...but the best performances were saved for last, during the evening show, called Ha: The Breath of Life, which showcased the dances, songs, and other traditions of each of the Polynesian cultures using the story of a man's life - from his own birth to the birth of his son.











Whew - it was a full day! If you ever visit Oahu and are interested in learning more about the lands of Polynesia, I highly recommend a visit to the PCC.