Luau!

This entry will finish the recap of Stacey's visit to Kauai. Monday night we went to the Smith Family Luau (pictures below), and Tuesday we packed in quite a bit before heading to the airport for her flight home. In the morning we shopped in Hanalei, laid on the beach for while, and then kayaked down Hanalei river and into the bay, dragged the kayak onshore to sun and swim, and paddled back across the bay and up the river. After stopping home to shower and for Stacey to finish the last of her packing, we went to Kalapaki Joe's for dinner (calamari appetizer... mmmm) and then to the airport. At the risk of speaking for both of us, I'd say Stacey had a good trip! :) And now, pictures from the luau. 

Some random scenery in the beautiful gardens where we wandered about before the imu ceremony at dusk:

An alligator stump:

Stacey and I:

There were peacocks eeeeeverywhere:

The imu pit before the kalua pig was unearthed:

The unearthing of the pig:

I love the crowd in this photo:

After the imu ceremony, we had a feast of kalua pork, sweet and sour mahi mahi, teriyaki beef, some sort of chicken, rice, mashed potatoes, Hawaiian sweet potatoes, salad, poi, rice pudding, fresh fruit, and mai tais. Yum yum yum. Following the feast was the actual performance, which featured lots of cultural dance and costume, and ended with a fire twirler. There was no flash photography allowed during the show, but I snapped one dark shot of a hula dancer before I got completely engrossed in the show and forgot all about my camera. 

Aloha!