When I was sixteen years old, my grandmother took me and my siblings to Hawaii for my eldest sister’s graduation present. Before we left I was optimistic at how relaxing it will be just sitting by the beach all day. We resided at the Embassy Suites on Wakiki Beach Walk. The location was elite because it was a block away from a beach. Unknowingly my grandmother had planned many tours for us the whole time we were there. I was disappointed but still grateful I was presented with this opportunity.
The sound of our first tour made me dread it. It was at the Polynesian Cultural Center and the ticket she bought entailed a bus to pick us up at seven in the morning and to drop us off at seven in the evening, a premium seating at the “Ha Breath of Fire” night show and, a Luau buffet dinner ticket. When I arrived, the place was enormous. As we were walking through the center, it was beautiful and there was so much to do. There were different sections that showed different ways of life in native culture to Hawaii. Each section had an interactive event like spear throwing or making bread in a hole with coals. Also, there was a panoramic showing of the oceanic reefs and how they are deteriorating due to human pollution. There was a big river running throughout the whole center and at noon they had a boat showing of the different cultures represented throughout the facility. At the Luau dinner they had dancing and singing as entertainment with some of the oddest but most delectable food I’ve ever eaten. After the dinner was finished we went to the “Ha Breath of Fire” night show. It was an array of drum beating, fire poi, and native dancing. In the end, I loved the experience. It was a day filled with culture and beauty.
Next, we went on a bus tour around the island. Out of all of the tours I went on, this was by far my favorite. We saw so many beautiful beaches with different shades of blue water. One of the beaches had a blow hole and a spectacular reef filled with different variations of colorful fish. The tour guide was great; he showed us popular sites and was very informative on everyplace we went. He showed us where Barrack Obama went to school and where Hulk Hogan’s place of business is. Also, we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. I wish we could have spent more time there because it was so big but, I did get the best pineapple ice cream there. For lunch we went to a shrimp farm in the middle of nowhere. The shrimp was prepared in many different ways and all of them were fresh and delicious. Then we went to huge memorial and a Buddhist temple. The temple was my favorite part of the tour. The place was so serene and beautiful. As you walked into the main building, you are just in awe at this enormous, gold Buddha. Literally it takes up most of the building and was crawling in detail.
There were many other places we visited but, Hawaii was not what I expected at all. It was more than I expected. Hawaii was so diverse, there is the chaos of the city, the peace and beauty of nature everywhere you look, the variations of religion, the major history of the islands and, the native cultures and ways of life. In any way you experience it, it was a rewarding experience hands down.
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