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| Our lei's from the luau |
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| Celebrating our 30th Anniversary at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii |
June 6, 2011 – 30 years ago today I made the BEST decision I ever made in my life – to walk side by side through this life with my high-school sweetheart. What a life it has been. Nothing prepares you for life – there are so many up’s and down’s, high’s and low’s but what makes is all easier is having someone you love with all your heart to walk through it with you for better or for worse. To be there to pick you up when you fall and to be there to rejoice with you when life brings you the joys. I am so glad that the Lord brought Greg and I together and I thank Him frequently for allowing me to have that love for a lifetime.
Today is the Polynesian Cultural Center. We have been anxiously awaiting this day! We had been to the PCC when we lived here and knew it is an amazing experience so we decided that that was what we would do to celebrate our 30th anniversary. What a day it was! We were not disappointed. The PCC opens at 12:00 so we got there around 11:45 and went to the counter for those that had already paid and just needed tickets. While we were waiting in line apparently Greg’s wheels were turning and when we got up to the counter he asked the woman how much it would cost to upgrade to the Ambassador package. It was an additional $30 each. Me being the tight wad in our relationship kinda made a sound like un-uh we don’t need to do that - but he chose not to listen to that sound – either that or he has learned to tune it out (LOL) But I have to admit I am sooooo glad that he decided to upgrade. It included a guided tour with about 12 other people, a lei greeting, premium seating at the luau and the shows, premium seating at the final show, and a yummy sherbet type dessert during intermission of the show. The guided tour was well worth it – our guide, Niu was from Austrailia. He was very funny and made the whole tour enjoyable. He took us to each of the villages and got us to all the shows on time and taught us a lot more than we would have learned had we wandered around on our own. During our tour we got to do things like – a spear throwing competition, we wove a fish - basket weave style, we learned how to use a large bamboo pole to keep time and rhythm to a song in Figi, we learned all the greetings for each of the Polynesian cultures, (the only one I can remember is “Bolavanacka” which I believe was the Figi greeting – because we were told if we remembered it when we got to the village we would be welcomed if not we would be eaten!) We also had a boat ride on the canal so we could see all the villages from the water side. At about the middle of the tour we were treated to a water parade of each of the different villages and their customary dress, dance, and song. It was amazing to say the least to see all the beautiful costumes and dances. After that we toured a few more villages – one being the Samoan village. During that show Greg and another gentleman were chosen to come up on stage and learn how to make fire. In Samoa the men do all the work and the women watch the children and do the weaving. Greg and the other guy disappeared behind the stage and the show continued. In a little while Greg and the other guy were brought back on stage and had a competition to see who could start their fire first – Greg won!! What they didn’t know is that they were also going to be participants in a Samoan dance – they were to follow the lead of their Samoan host. If you have not seen the video of Greg dancing on my Facebook page – go there immediately – it is a must see. I was trying so hard not to laugh because I was video taping and I didn’t want to shake the camera. But Greg and I had a good laugh when I played it back for him. After this show it was time for the luau. Niu walked us over to the luau and said his goodbyes to our group. At the luau we were greeted with real flower lei’s by two beautiful Polynesian young people and escorted into the luau. We were seated at a table with 6 other people and our table was in the very front! We were brought pina coladas in a pineapple and then treated to all the pre-luau customs. There was a parade of the Royal Hawaiian court, and a group of Hawaiian singers greeted all the guests in song. There was also a traditional Hawaiian dance done that was also a customary welcome prior to the start of the luau. The MC of the luau then had us sing Happy Birthday to some in the audience that were celebrating their birthdays. Then he asked if there were any there to celebrate anniversary’s or any newlyweds on their honeymoon. He invited all of those that raised their hands up on stage. Greg and I were the first couple to arrive on stage and the MC had us introduce ourselves and tell how many years we had been married, he did the same for all the others. There were about 15 couple total on stage, some newlyweds and some celebrating anniversaries in the Islands. Next he announced that he was going to sing the Hawaiian wedding song and we were to slow dance on stage during the song. AAAHHH panic started to set in a little – First of all I hate being in front of people, AND secondly I have never danced publicly before in my life! Oh well – I sucked it in and just focused on Greg and got through it and I neither of us stepped on toes so all was good – I survived! Later as we left the luau we were stopped and congratulated on 30 years – now a days that is quite a milestone! Next was the ceremonial digging up of the luau pig. The luau pig is cooked in a pit in the ground with hot lava rocks, and covered with leaves. Two Hawaiian men pulled the luau pig out and put it on something that looks like a stretcher and carried it out. So now the luau!! We were the first table to go to the luau buffet and were greeted with the traditional luau choices – kalua pork, poi, lomi lomi salmon, taro rolls, pineapple, and more “American choices” for those that preferred it – like chicken, salad, and white rolls etc. There were plenty of options. We filled our plates and went back to our table and enjoyed!!! After the luau we had some time to wander around the gifts shops and then head over to the final show. It was called Ha’: Breath of Life. Words can’t even describe the show – it was a beautiful depiction of the circle of life Polynesian style. Full of beautiful dance, costumes, fire dancers, - they don’t allow any photography or video of the show so I wasn’t able to capture any of it to post here, but we did buy the complete show on CD if anyone would like to see it. The two hour show ended at 9:30 and we headed home exhausted, but filled with great memories!
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