Midnite's Global Journey of Spiritual Discovery* - Tiki Travel

M midnite Member 37? 47' N, 122? 26' W Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 1230	M midnite Posted posted on Mon, May 14, 2007 1:43 AM THE BAY AREA 2007 You never know what you have until you lose it. Believe me, becasue this is coming from someone who once had such a head of hair, in high school I was called "Rick Springfield". Accordingly, it took a visit from my tiki-loving nephew, Rick, to teach this ole traveler that one needn't go too far in order to find adventure and tiki treats, if not a classic club sandwich. As one never truly knows how long one has left, here, there...anywhere, it's about time we see what good old Frisco has to offer. The grass is not always greener, unless of course one goes to the exotic tropical environs of Fruitvale. Yes, this will all make sense, maybe. Richard, whose participation in my journeys has already been documented in these pages, scored extra points by actually doing what few others in my family do (go figure)...he came to visit me! Along with his love, the lovely Kylie, the young tiki fiend flew on out from sunny Madison, WI to see the sites, San Francisco style. I had a spot of free time so I tagged along for a bit in order to see my fair hometown through the eyes of a traveler. Eeek, this place can be scary! We took in the curvy part of Lombard. Now I know what those people are always asking me about my street! A visit to Fisherman's Wharf was also in order where I found a boat called "Menehune" but little else that warrants mentioning. There was a lot of other stuff that looked rather altogether too familiar. Enough touristy trash, let's hit SF's Trader Vic's. We took in the waters, and had dinner, too. Sadly, a certain favorite bar manager has moved on to (Lone Star) places unknown, thereby taking with him the most glorious of Vic's cocktails: the Stinker a la favorite bar manager. We all shared several fine cocktails, and one other called a "Molokai Mike". The next day started out at the wonderfully restored Ferry Building, a boat ride around the Bay, and a few hours in charming nearby Sausalito. I pulled a bit of rank and deep-sixed the idea of going to the Oakland A's game...I mean it's Oakland, what's there? So, to make it up to the baseball-loving Kylie & Michelle we walked not an insignificant distance to see Giants park or whatever they're calling the place this week. Next stop would be the mysterious Isle de Alameda and my favorite bar on Lincoln Ave: Susie Q's...whoops, Forbidden Island! Richard Jr. has read and heard much about the great times and expertly crafted cocktails found at F.I. Now he could take it all in and the only thing in our way was the typically uneventful ride on the AC Transit "O" bus to Alameda. There's some famous quote about the best laid plans of men and heavy drinkers, but I am not sure about the exact wording as my knowledge of architectural drafting is limited. It's a long story, and considering we bailed mid-plot I don't know how it ends although I can hazard a guess. Let's put it this way: A woman on a nearby bench died while waiting for our same "O" bus. She later came back to life, resurrected if you ask me, through the minimally enthusiastic life-saving efforts of her husband. Local EMT's appeared after said dead, now living, woman boarded our bus. She refused any medical assistance in San Francisco, preferring to travel to Alameda. Shit woman, Martin makes a good Mai Tai, but really, in a fix the Tonga Room will do! The living, dead, Lord knows, gal was barely sporting a diastolic of around 60. She was, minutes earlier, non-responsive and well...let's simply say effed up real bad. Now, all she wanted to do was see Alameda. Dead or Alive? In the face of very stern and repetitive protestations from trained emergency medical technicians she demurred the painfully obvious need for immediate hospitalization. She did not face minimally stern nor even multiple efforts from her husband and friend (?) to seek professional medical help. It all seemed rather curiously suspicious, if you ask me. A legal waiver form was finally signed and we were all on our way to Alameda. Dead or alive. We made it to Santa Clara/Sherman St, uncomfortably passive hubbie was back to his unique life sustaining method of rubbing her head in a rather distracted fashion. At this point about 90% of the remaining passengers (including us) "Geronimo-ed!" the heck off this "O". I felt bad for the bus driver, and the old woman, but mostly the bus driver. We headed in search of strong drink. Next time, BART! Forbidden Island was its usual fun self. So many fine drinks were enjoyed, none of which was a Molokai Mike. Richard, a burgeoning cocktail aficionado, declared the signature Forbidden Island and China Clipper as favorites. A Club Sandwich you say, what of the quest? Well, the plan was to visit one of the fine diners on Alameda and take in a Club Sandwich done Alameda-style, but given the events (see above) a few chicken tenders at F.I. would have to suffice. Many thanks to Richard and Kylie for visiting Uncle Midnite and showing him that Frisco can be a wonderful, if quite strange, place. As if I'd forgot that for five minutes. This past weekend a less eventful journey across the Bay took us to the friendly and tropical environs of the Fruitvale District of Alameda. It was TikiBocce II at Lund Manor. Dig the scene: fabulous cocktails from the Hinky Dinks bar, bocce and the warm hospitality of Lund Manor's host & hostess, Scott and Thayer. I was eager to attend as my expertise in all things bocce is widely unrecognized. Alas, it would mean facing one of my greater fears. No, not social interaction or rabbits, the bamboo craziness! If you know what I am talking about I don't need to go on, and if you don't...you don't want me to go on. I got near it, I even touched it, but I did not sit on it. The afternoon at Lund Manor was one of the best times I've had in a long while. No Club Sandwiches, but hey...fine cocktails, finer company, and a malice-filled games of bocce. That spells "Good Times" in any language, Kid Dyn-o-mite. I had my eyes on that Grand Prize trophy, but it wasn't meant to be...even with a fortuitous substitution into the finals with McButter Pants himself. There was dancing, many familiar faces, tropical foliage, and a water feature. The Mai Kai Gents supplied their fantastic talents. Did I mention the cocktails? (Maria was stellar mixing those Mai Tais. Martin, hire her if you can) Plus, Mig had a birthday, with a cake! TikiBocce II was good clean fun. Bocce is a pretty cool game, although I believe my skills may lay in officiating and not participating. Tofu Joe and Haole'akamai's skills are definitely entertaining. Lessons learned: One, there's a lot fun things to see and do right in your own backyard. Two, there's a lot more fun things to do in Lund Manor's backyard. Three, when the paramedic says go to the hospital don't listen to the apathetic spouse: go! Red Rolls! Captain Midnite, Mr. Mahalo

THE BAY AREA 2007

You never know what you have until you lose it. Believe me, becasue this is coming from someone who once had such a head of hair, in high school I was called "Rick Springfield". Accordingly, it took a visit from my tiki-loving nephew, Rick, to teach this ole traveler that one needn't go too far in order to find adventure and tiki treats, if not a classic club sandwich. As one never truly knows how long one has left, here, there...anywhere, it's about time we see what good old Frisco has to offer. The grass is not always greener, unless of course one goes to the exotic tropical environs of Fruitvale. Yes, this will all make sense, maybe.

Richard, whose participation in my journeys has already been documented in these pages, scored extra points by actually doing what few others in my family do (go figure)...he came to visit me! Along with his love, the lovely Kylie, the young tiki fiend flew on out from sunny Madison, WI to see the sites, San Francisco style. I had a spot of free time so I tagged along for a bit in order to see my fair hometown through the eyes of a traveler. Eeek, this place can be scary!

We took in the curvy part of Lombard. Now I know what those people are always asking me about my street! A visit to Fisherman's Wharf was also in order where I found a boat called "Menehune" but little else that warrants mentioning. There was a lot of other stuff that looked rather altogether too familiar. Enough touristy trash, let's hit SF's Trader Vic's. We took in the waters, and had dinner, too. Sadly, a certain favorite bar manager has moved on to (Lone Star) places unknown, thereby taking with him the most glorious of Vic's cocktails: the Stinker a la favorite bar manager. We all shared several fine cocktails, and one other called a "Molokai Mike".

The next day started out at the wonderfully restored Ferry Building, a boat ride around the Bay, and a few hours in charming nearby Sausalito. I pulled a bit of rank and deep-sixed the idea of going to the Oakland A's game...I mean it's Oakland, what's there? So, to make it up to the baseball-loving Kylie & Michelle we walked not an insignificant distance to see Giants park or whatever they're calling the place this week. Next stop would be the mysterious Isle de Alameda and my favorite bar on Lincoln Ave: Susie Q's...whoops, Forbidden Island!

Richard Jr. has read and heard much about the great times and expertly crafted cocktails found at F.I. Now he could take it all in and the only thing in our way was the typically uneventful ride on the AC Transit "O" bus to Alameda. There's some famous quote about the best laid plans of men and heavy drinkers, but I am not sure about the exact wording as my knowledge of architectural drafting is limited.

It's a long story, and considering we bailed mid-plot I don't know how it ends although I can hazard a guess. Let's put it this way: A woman on a nearby bench died while waiting for our same "O" bus. She later came back to life, resurrected if you ask me, through the minimally enthusiastic life-saving efforts of her husband. Local EMT's appeared after said dead, now living, woman boarded our bus. She refused any medical assistance in San Francisco, preferring to travel to Alameda. Shit woman, Martin makes a good Mai Tai, but really, in a fix the Tonga Room will do! The living, dead, Lord knows, gal was barely sporting a diastolic of around 60. She was, minutes earlier, non-responsive and well...let's simply say effed up real bad. Now, all she wanted to do was see Alameda. Dead or Alive? In the face of very stern and repetitive protestations from trained emergency medical technicians she demurred the painfully obvious need for immediate hospitalization. She did not face minimally stern nor even multiple efforts from her husband and friend (?) to seek professional medical help. It all seemed rather curiously suspicious, if you ask me. A legal waiver form was finally signed and we were all on our way to Alameda. Dead or alive.

We made it to Santa Clara/Sherman St, uncomfortably passive hubbie was back to his unique life sustaining method of rubbing her head in a rather distracted fashion. At this point about 90% of the remaining passengers (including us) "Geronimo-ed!" the heck off this "O". I felt bad for the bus driver, and the old woman, but mostly the bus driver. We headed in search of strong drink. Next time, BART!

Forbidden Island was its usual fun self. So many fine drinks were enjoyed, none of which was a Molokai Mike. Richard, a burgeoning cocktail aficionado, declared the signature Forbidden Island and China Clipper as favorites. A Club Sandwich you say, what of the quest? Well, the plan was to visit one of the fine diners on Alameda and take in a Club Sandwich done Alameda-style, but given the events (see above) a few chicken tenders at F.I. would have to suffice. Many thanks to Richard and Kylie for visiting Uncle Midnite and showing him that Frisco can be a wonderful, if quite strange, place. As if I'd forgot that for five minutes.

This past weekend a less eventful journey across the Bay took us to the friendly and tropical environs of the Fruitvale District of Alameda. It was TikiBocce II at Lund Manor. Dig the scene: fabulous cocktails from the Hinky Dinks bar, bocce and the warm hospitality of Lund Manor's host & hostess, Scott and Thayer. I was eager to attend as my expertise in all things bocce is widely unrecognized. Alas, it would mean facing one of my greater fears. No, not social interaction or rabbits, the bamboo craziness! If you know what I am talking about I don't need to go on, and if you don't...you don't want me to go on. I got near it, I even touched it, but I did not sit on it.

The afternoon at Lund Manor was one of the best times I've had in a long while. No Club Sandwiches, but hey...fine cocktails, finer company, and a malice-filled games of bocce. That spells "Good Times" in any language, Kid Dyn-o-mite. I had my eyes on that Grand Prize trophy, but it wasn't meant to be...even with a fortuitous substitution into the finals with McButter Pants himself. There was dancing, many familiar faces, tropical foliage, and a water feature. The Mai Kai Gents supplied their fantastic talents. Did I mention the cocktails? (Maria was stellar mixing those Mai Tais. Martin, hire her if you can) Plus, Mig had a birthday, with a cake!

TikiBocce II was good clean fun. Bocce is a pretty cool game, although I believe my skills may lay in officiating and not participating. Tofu Joe and Haole'akamai's skills are definitely entertaining. Lessons learned: One, there's a lot fun things to see and do right in your own backyard. Two, there's a lot more fun things to do in Lund Manor's backyard. Three, when the paramedic says go to the hospital don't listen to the apathetic spouse: go!

Red Rolls!
Captain Midnite, Mr. Mahalo

Post #306166 by midnite on Mon, May 14, 2007 1:43 AM