World of Paradise

There's so much! How about just some pictures to sum it up? Well, and a quick blurb. . . Yesterday we hiked through a beautiful botanical garden - with plant species from around the world - and we ended at this beautiful waterfall we could swim underneath. The boys I'm with on this trip. - Hudson (6) and Heath (5) - are perfect for adventures like this because everything they see is beautiful and sacred, and it has made my experience and energy on par with their wonder and fascination.

Today we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center - which was a fascinating place, exposing us to experiences from different Polynesian islands. We learned the ukulele in Hawaii, spear threw in Tahiti, got Fijian tattoos and played a rope-ball game in New Zealand. The day was full of beautiful music, cool history and engaging traditions. The most interesting thing about this fabulously entertaining place, is that it is run by Mormon missionaries. BYU Hawaii's campus is right by the cultural center, and 80% of the people running the events are students, and the Center at large is run by missionaries. The thing I had a hard time reconciling was - how is this tourist Mecca mission work? This place was so expensive, and the church must be making so much from this, and I just wonder how this is missionary work? I absolutely loved the place and my experience, I'm just still wrestling with how and why missionaries are here, doing this fire-breathing, hula-dancing work.

So much for just pictures to sum it up. There's just so much to share! This trip has provided some much needed Vitamin D, and replenished my childish, curious spirit. Yesterday Hudson said "This is a world of paradise!"