The view from the bus.	Another view from the bus	The mountain.	Through the bus window.
Fourty inches of rain a year makes this side of the island lush.	The mountain.	Street lights along the road leading between the mountains.	The "wet" side of the island.
Clouds on the mountain.	More of the mountain.	Entering the Polynesian Cultural Center.	The Polynesial Cultural Centers.
Everyone has cameras.	The entrance has many flags.	Customer Service.	These statues represent either gods or ancestors.
"The Samoan Warrior".	"Samoans are a happy people".	Making fire	"The flames are $10, the smoke is free".
Interacting with the audience.	Can you split a coconut with this stick?	Poking a hole to get to the juice.	The juice is in the coconut. Milk is made by shredding the meat.
"Who wants to try some juice?"	Making a mess.	The shy Korean girl who finally drank the juice.	"We don't have monkeys, so we train men to climb the trees."
Climbing higher.	And higher.	Waiting for applause.	Coming down.
Cliff, our guide.	The boat that was buried for thirty years in New Zealand.	It was left unfinished after King George IV died, before being dug up and completed.	Polynesia is rich in trees.
One bunch of bananas per tree.	There are 150 varieties of banana.	After producing, the tree is cut down to allow a new tree to grow.	The chief's hut, but not his ladder. They're rethatching the roof.
The chief's bed	The wives slept on the floor.	The roof.	More of the interior of the chief's hut.
Hmm...early quilt patterns?	The mats are woven from leaves.	The chiefs had elaborate hairstyles.	The thatch can last twenty years, if there are no heavy rains.
The huts are authentic.	The higher the roof, the closer to God.	Except for New Zealand, the Polynesian huts have no fences.	The Hawaii section
The hula section	Stephanie, Michelle, and Michelle's mom learning to hula	"Across the beach of Waikiki..."	The hula takes concentration.
Still concentating	We're not sure WHAT Stephanie's doing here...	An embrace...	Now do it with the music...
Some traditional Hawaiian instruments include bamboo.	A gourd.	Yes, folks, it's a noseflute.	The guitar was introduced in the 1830's.
The dancer.	Instruments help to tell the story.	The dancers always smile.	This "implement" is a modern one. Ancient Hawaiians didn't use the pom-pom things.
Poi is the word for "pound". It is traditionally eaten in non solid form because it lasts up to a month and feeds more.	Poi is made from taro. Babies with allergies can eat this food because it is not allergenic.	Do the Canadian tourists like poi?	A canoe. Hawaiian ships went very canoe.
There must be many waterfalls in Polynesia.	Only the chief, priest and sacrifice entered the temple.	Welcome to the Marquesas.	Many of the singers and dancers are students.
Men and Women had seperate huts.	There were few "couple" dances.	Men dance together, women also dance alone.	The "pig" dance.
Men trying out the "pig" dance.	This dance consisted of bouncing.	Now it is the ladies' turn.	Staying on tiptoe also takes concentration.
Stephanie got a headband for dancing.	Sometimes the women wore more than the men did.	Striking a pose.	More waterfalls.
One of three temples left in the world.	Ancient temples got replaced by chapels and churches.	A walking tree..the roots "walk" to seek nutrients.	A replica of the Easter Island statues.
Time to eat. We recommend the prime rib.	Travel back to ancient Hawai'i.	Once again, the men dance by themselves.	Much of the dancing replicated battle.
Finally the men and women are interacting.	The sensual, grass skirted hula actually came from Tahiti.	The woman in white represents the monarchy.	Dancing like it's 1899.
A more modern type of hula.	Many different eras.	All hail the queen!	Beautiful Hawai'i.
The queen is always the central figure.	Moving along to Tonga.	"My heart dances with joy."	"My friendly Island kingdom...Tonga"
Once again, the women are wearing more than the men.	Honoring "esteemed guests"	War practice.	We figured him for the leader because of his colorful skirt.
Honoring Tongan Royalty.	All together now.	For close ups, it's good to be on the second row.	Unity.
"The Land of the Long White Cloud"-New Zealand.	"Welcome to this enchanted place."	They will later use the balls as props.	A "posture dance".
Spinning the balls.	The commander of the Fiji dancers.	The queen approaches.	A smiling face among the scowling warriors.
The commander gives his orders.	Tahiti, and the happiest of the dances.	They really do resemble cheerleaders.	Hinakura, the bride.
Tane Nui, the groom.	Tane Nui was a bit of a ham.	The wedding dance.	In the spotlight.
Preparing to play with fire.	Looking toward the future.	Samoans are "a happy people".	Part of the Slap Dance.
The warrior is back, this time with his fire knives.	The trick is not to be afraid.	Both ends are lit, then twirled.	"Aloha and Mahalo".

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