Polynesia

Imagine a big, warm, sunny place right in the middle of a giant blue ocean. The sun shines down and makes the water sparkle like a thousand diamonds. You can feel the soft, warm sand between your toes and see tall, green palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze. I am not just one place, but a big family of over one thousand islands. If you looked at me from way up high in the sky, my islands would look like a giant triangle floating on the water. I am a home for many happy people. Hello. I am Polynesia.

A long, long, long time ago, brave explorers went on an amazing adventure to find me. This was around the year 1500 BCE. These special people were called the Lapita people. They built amazing boats called outrigger canoes to sail across the big, wide ocean. They did not have maps like we do today. Instead, they were very clever and used the bright sun during the day and the twinkling stars at night to guide them. They listened to the waves and felt the wind to know which way to go. It was a very long journey, but they were brave and strong. They found my empty islands and made them their happy home.

Today, my islands are filled with so much joy. You can always hear the happy sounds of music, singing, and happy dancing that makes you want to clap your hands. The air smells sweet from all the beautiful, colorful flowers, and yummy fruits like coconuts and bananas grow on the trees for everyone to share. The people who live here have a big love for the ocean and for their families. That brave, adventurous spirit from the first explorers still lives on. It shines brightly in the hearts of all the wonderful people who call me, Polynesia, their home today.