Multi Cultural Island Tour Blog

Today was an extremely eye-opening day. We woke up early, eager to
depart for our bus tour around the Island of Oahu. Aggy, our tour
guide, took us around the Island and showed us the land and
interesting activities. One of her activities was to create a scavenger
hunt. On the hunt we saw churches, the Hawaii State Capital buildings,
the Iolani Palace and much more. We had fun hunting for the answers to
some of the questions. After the hunt, we ended up at a lookout, which
was on a mountain. While we were there the weather became a little
windy, but we carried on to over look the Island of Hawaii, which was
beautiful. Next, we traveled to a temple where there was a statue of the
Bhudda. This was very interesting. I was amazed to see people pray to
Bhudda because this was something I have never had the opportunity to
see before. As we took our shoes off to respect the temple, we watched a
family pray to Bhudda. I was so blown away at the effect that this had
to the family. Reading about the religion in a textbook does not have
the same effect as it does when you see the effect on those first
hand. Having this hands-on experience was amazing. I lit a stick,
which resembled in-scents, and put it in a pot with ashes in it.
While placing the stick you are supposed to pray. I thought that
was really cool because I never thought I'd have that opportunity,
ever. The temple was beautiful. It was a red building, which almost
looked like a Japanese building and it was in the middle of a
cemetery. I have honestly never seen such a gorgeous cemetery. After
the temple we traveled over to a valley which we were told stories of
the legends and the history of it. We spoke to a family who had
interesting stories about people turning into stone and the
interesting morals that they teach. Later, Auntie Mae came to show us
the resources that the native Hawaiians use to make games, hats, toys, salt, and so
many more things. I thought it was so interesting to see all the
things that the hawaiian natives made just out of resources. It kind
of makes you realize how lazy we are back at home. In Hawaii they cut
their fruit fresh and it is easy. They also make their own jewelry and
use their resources to their fullest use and we buy everything or have
instruments do things for us. I would like to be more resourceful,
just like the Hawaiians. After Auntie Mae and the valley, we went to
the north shore to see some pretty decent sized waves and surfers.
This was really cool, although the waves weren't 50 feet, where that
is happening on other beaches, they were much bigger than anything I
have ever seen. After the beach we traveled to the Dole plantation. We
ate fresh pineapple, bananas, coconut, sugar cane, mangoes and papaya.
The fruit was so fresh and tasted so good. I have never had anything
like that from the grocery store back at home. On the way back from
the plantation we stopped over to the royal birthing place. This place
had rocks set for 36 cheifs to sit while watching someone of royality
have a baby, just to prove that the baby was truly royal. We weren't
allowed to step on the rocks because they were sacred. Across the way,
on the mountain, sunlight was glistening through the clouds and the
sight was amazing. I love Hawaii and its scenery. It is truly one of
the most amazing places in the world. I cannot wait to see new things
and learn more about it.