Stuff from our family: Hawaii -- Day 3

Our third morning started out slow, with the kids going to the pool while the adults went to the gym and then the vacation club office. They had offered us a free whale watch cruise if we would listen to the time share pitch, so we went. We were actually kind of tempted... the place was that nice... but sanity won out in the end. Maybe someday!

After lunch, we headed up toward the North Shore. We didn't stop much, except to get shave ice at the famous Matsumoto's. But we did watch the sights out the windows and were impressed by the big waves.

We made our way around the island to the Polynesian Cultural Center. When we bought our tickets online, they suggested that we get there around noon, which seemed way too early for a 5:30 luau and a 7:30 show. But when we got there at about 2:30, we quickly realized the website was right. We saw pretty much everything, but didn't stop to watch many of the demonstrations or shows, and we didn't have time to take a tram tour of the town or a try a hula lesson. But we enjoyed the things we did, like the canoe rides and spear throwing. Nicholas especially liked the big war canoe.

In the evening, we all went to the luau. Although our kids are not known for being adventurous eaters, they tried all kinds of things-- kalua pork, poi, fish that was "not exactly cooked," and even purple dinner rolls made from sweet potatoes. The evening ended with a show full of all kinds of dances from around Polynesia. The boys were especially impressed with anything involving fire.

The kids actually fell asleep in the car on the drive back to the hotel. Another late night-- who said vacations were for relaxing?