Hawaii - Part 2

Day 5- Today was pretty mellow. We took a drive up to the Pali Lookout. We didn't get out of the car because it was raining (we did go back the next day). The views when we went back were beautiful, but probably the windiest place ever!!
Then we went to The Byodo-In- Valley of the Temples memorial park. It is a monument to the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Byodo-In is a scale replica of a temple at Uji, Japan. The gardens there are amazing. We didn't spend long since the weather was so bad.
That afternoon we took a submarine ride about 3 miles off the coast of Waikiki to see some sunken ships, reefs, and marine life. It was pretty cool. Bob had the privilege of sitting next to a very interesting kid (if it weren't for him it would have been perfect).
The rest of the day we spent at the pool.
Day 6- Today we went up to Laie. This is where the LDS temple, BYU Hawaii, and the Polynesian Cultural Center are.
We first stopped at the temple. It is closed right now for renovations so you can't walk through all the grounds, but the visitor center is still open. Then we stopped really quickly at BYU Hawaii. It is such a small campus.
Then off to the PCC. For me this was the highlight of our trip. We spent the next 5 hours exploring the lands of Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga.
We did a stick game, learned a hula, played rhythm sticks, tired poi, watched many demonstrations, took a canoe ride, watched a man start fire without matches and climb a coconut tree.
This is such an amazing place. I could have spent another day there very easily. 80% of the people who work there are BYU Hawaii students.
We then headed off to the Luau. I was a little worried about the food. I hear people either hate luau food or love it. We loved it. I did stay clear of the raw fish dishes, but Bob tired them.
The entertainment was good, and I was amazed at how fast they served everyone.
We then went to the night show, "Ha: Breath of Life".
WOW!! I can't even describe how good the show was. We had 3rd row, center seats. We couldn't have asked for a better way to end the day.
Day 7- Our last day was spent snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Bob loved it! He easily spent 2 hours out in the water and saw tons of fish. I went out for a while, but loved laying on the beach!!! We then traveled down the road a bit to the Halona Blowhole. It was not that big since the tide wasn't that strong, but still cool. It was very rocky near there, so it was so neat to watch the waves break on the rocks.
Then it was back to our room to begin the packing.

The only thing that could have made it better was to have friends and family with us.