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 Wed, Jun 20, 2007 12:51 PM ENGLAND v. GERMANY 2007 Well, this ought to be fun. No history there, eh? Who's better, who's best? The Who, that's who! The first stop in this two week multi-country excursion was Southampton...England's famous port city. I'm all for port cities but I came down South for one reason: The Who 2007. The band of my formative years, I'd last seen them on their first/last "Farewell Tour" in 1982. Now, twenty-five (shit!) years later I'm standing out on a sports field (cricket) watching what's left of my favorite band. I was a wee midnite of 16 when I last saw these geezers live and now I am older than they were back in '82. Some seriously significant aspects to such a set of circumstances, but hey, this is me we're talking about. Did I tell you who I stood next to during the Magic Numbers' opening set? Southampton rocks...met up with some friends from the UK, saw Pete & Roger, ate at TGI Friday's. Ok, two out of three ain't bad Southampton. BERLIN One more capital of Europe for the list and this was a special one: Berlin. The visit too brief, the weather a bit gloomy. Nonetheless, Berlin is a great place, I'm going to get back there soon. So much history, so much to see. Let's go to Vic's! I keed, pretty much. Along with London, Berlin was one of those places wherein I'd stop and think "Whoa, there's _____" and gaze upon some landmark or vista from history. Brandenburg, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, the Wall. Interesting place, and even after 14 years or so of unification the stark differences between West-East are thought provoking. Thoughts like, "The Iron Curtain was a bummer, let's go to Vic's." Two nights in a row, Hans! So, Vic's it is. Boy howdy, and a nice Vic's it is. One large room, dining and bar areas clearly defined. I liked the decor, more traditional than I expected. The blue mood lighting in the bar was uber cool. Damn it Janet, I like this Vic's...and not just because they have a great Happy Hour: five signature Vic's cocktails at 6E each and free food! Good news, business was pretty light, so I had plenty of time to chat up the bartenders/waiters. The bad news: business was light. One side note of interest to maybe one person: Like SF Giants color commentator Mike Krukow, my ably skilled bartender from Turkey, Szabo, enjoys his Bonnie Tyler tunes. Want a heavy-handed pour in your Zombie? Throw in an aside about the deep and resonant pipes of that Welsh girl singer. Big, bustling, cosmopolitan, and exciting. Berlin is a great city. Superb cocktails at Vic's. No club sandwiches, but I sampled the Curry Wurst. MUNCHEN When one thinks of Germany I am guessing this is what comes to mind. Bavaria's finest, the jewel that is Munich. It truly is a beautiful city, and it is a favorite place to live for Germans. I can see why: fabulous parks, wonderful architecture, people friendly city planning. I took in the sites via Mike's Bike Tours of Munchen, a great time and highly recommended. I even went off to the Bavarian Alps with them and took in the famous castle and surrounding areas of Neuschwanstein. Hiked up the long way along the waterfall gorge, took some pretty snappies, had a myocardial infarction...or two. Also got to enjoy the world's WORST club sandwich at the small and usurious cafe connected to Mike's tour. Yes, the quest is over, at least for its negative definitional aspect. God Almighty, if I ever have a poorer excuse for a club I'll know I have died and gone to.....whew, I could use some ice water. Munich is ok, I'd doubt I'd feel the desire to return but for what is arguably the finest Trader Vic's one will ever encounter...apart from London. I have been eager to visit the Munich Vic's since I first saw pictures of the place. Mr Kirsten's expert opinion held some weight as well. This is it, Vic's as it was and should always be: a lone stairway to the subterranean space, numerous small dark rooms to explore, decor from exotic locales. Sublime. Glorious. Fukkin' Ayy! If, like yours truly, you like Trader Vic's then get a packing and get to Munich 'cause this is it. The place, the Vic's...the best. Along with London, that is. I spent three straight nights at Munich's Vic's. The manager and staff were welcoming and accepting to my enthusiastic photo-taking and fervent proclamations of love for their place of work. I spent a goodly amount of time talking cocktails with Joe, the thirty-year veteran of mixology at this Vic's. The man is an artist and I was honored to get completely rat-arsed from his productions. After I imbibed in the Munich Sour and Rum Cosmo I left it up to him. Joe was my cocktail navigator on this leg of the journey. He set a course for Scorpion and then, as he put it, "This will will make you happy" Tiki Puka Puka. Oh yes, happy indeed! Joe was a highlight of my travels and worth the price of a trip to Munich alone. Hanging at the bar in Munich's Vic's, enjoying a finely crafted cocktail, and then discussing drinks with the very expert who made it for you. If you're an old rummy like me, it does not get much better. LONDON LUAU 007 Ahhh-Hoooo, back in London. Oh, and not for just any rum-soaked stop at Vic's either. This was special, like special Luau 007, The London Luau! Yes, that makes six consecutive nights at a Trader Vic's. No, I don't have a problem. Heck, upon my return I was tempted to have the driver stop at SF Vic's on my home from the airport, but Lars is gone to the Big D and I thought seven would be excessive. Six nights in a row? A man about town, solo world traveler, sophisticated drinking veteran of Polynesian cocktails the globe over. Seven? Sad and pathetic drinking alone and bothering the help. The longest damn tiki trip of the year ended up at the superbly hosted London Luau. London, tiki, cocktails, Trader Vic's, drinks, art, fun entertainment, rum yummys. Hey, how come I didn't attend these before!?! I got there for the festivities Saturday at Vic's and was able to meet, via my seating at the "Tiki International" table, many new/old/special tiki mates. I know them, I love them, just never met them in person! Good times, good time indeed, Jimmy Walker. I dug the art show and market at the Truman Brewery. Bo and his orchestra, from Sweden no less, were fantastic. Sunday at Trailer Happiness was a highlight, once I could find the place, that is. This was my kind of Tiki Event, Anjy! Plus, I was able to enjoy two of the finer Clubs one will score in the UK. At the Park Tower, 86 the fried egg, dig the grilled chicken and chips, enjoy the view over the West End...oh yeas, midnite likes! Ya know, these UK tiki brethren of ours, they do a bang up job. Cheekytiki, and Patrick from London Vic's, put on a great show. The tiki folk over there may not have the numerous tiki assets we have here in the States, but they do a lot with what they got. There are some serious tiki artists, fans, connesoiurs over there. Heck, a couple of these fellows even made it to Hukilau just four days after the London Luau. Talk about dedication, they got it, in spades. Pound for pound, the weight not the Sterling, the Britiki contingent are tough to beat, tiki-wise. They know their stuff, enjoy it deeply, and are doing great things to keep the theme and aesthetic alive. Doing tiki in Florida or Southern Cal is easy, try it in foggy old London town. Well, they do, and they do it well. Look out, guv'nor! Ya shalln't keep this roaming yank (sounds like fun) from London Luau '08. Ahh-hoooo! FINAL SCORE Germany: Berlin, wow. Munich Trader Vic's, double secret wow. England: My tiki mates in the UK. London Vic's. Club Sandwich at Sheraton Park Tower. Let's call it a draw and all get along. There's enough tiki love to spread around! London or Munich Trader Vic's...you cannot make me pick between the two. I'll see ya back at both. I'll be sitting at the bar, the hairy-handed gent, looking at a map, wondering where I am. Heh, draw blood! midnite

ENGLAND v. GERMANY 2007

Well, this ought to be fun. No history there, eh?

Who's better, who's best? The Who, that's who! The first stop in this two week multi-country excursion was Southampton...England's famous port city. I'm all for port cities but I came down South for one reason: The Who 2007. The band of my formative years, I'd last seen them on their first/last "Farewell Tour" in 1982. Now, twenty-five (shit!) years later I'm standing out on a sports field (cricket) watching what's left of my favorite band. I was a wee midnite of 16 when I last saw these geezers live and now I am older than they were back in '82. Some seriously significant aspects to such a set of circumstances, but hey, this is me we're talking about. Did I tell you who I stood next to during the Magic Numbers' opening set?

Southampton rocks...met up with some friends from the UK, saw Pete & Roger, ate at TGI Friday's. Ok, two out of three ain't bad Southampton.

BERLIN

One more capital of Europe for the list and this was a special one: Berlin. The visit too brief, the weather a bit gloomy. Nonetheless, Berlin is a great place, I'm going to get back there soon. So much history, so much to see. Let's go to Vic's! I keed, pretty much. Along with London, Berlin was one of those places wherein I'd stop and think "Whoa, there's _____" and gaze upon some landmark or vista from history. Brandenburg, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, the Wall. Interesting place, and even after 14 years or so of unification the stark differences between West-East are thought provoking. Thoughts like, "The Iron Curtain was a bummer, let's go to Vic's." Two nights in a row, Hans!

So, Vic's it is. Boy howdy, and a nice Vic's it is. One large room, dining and bar areas clearly defined. I liked the decor, more traditional than I expected. The blue mood lighting in the bar was uber cool. Damn it Janet, I like this Vic's...and not just because they have a great Happy Hour: five signature Vic's cocktails at 6E each and free food! Good news, business was pretty light, so I had plenty of time to chat up the bartenders/waiters. The bad news: business was light. One side note of interest to maybe one person: Like SF Giants color commentator Mike Krukow, my ably skilled bartender from Turkey, Szabo, enjoys his Bonnie Tyler tunes. Want a heavy-handed pour in your Zombie? Throw in an aside about the deep and resonant pipes of that Welsh girl singer.

Big, bustling, cosmopolitan, and exciting. Berlin is a great city. Superb cocktails at Vic's. No club sandwiches, but I sampled the Curry Wurst.

MUNCHEN

When one thinks of Germany I am guessing this is what comes to mind. Bavaria's finest, the jewel that is Munich. It truly is a beautiful city, and it is a favorite place to live for Germans. I can see why: fabulous parks, wonderful architecture, people friendly city planning. I took in the sites via Mike's Bike Tours of Munchen, a great time and highly recommended. I even went off to the Bavarian Alps with them and took in the famous castle and surrounding areas of Neuschwanstein. Hiked up the long way along the waterfall gorge, took some pretty snappies, had a myocardial infarction...or two. Also got to enjoy the world's WORST club sandwich at the small and usurious cafe connected to Mike's tour. Yes, the quest is over, at least for its negative definitional aspect. God Almighty, if I ever have a poorer excuse for a club I'll know I have died and gone to.....whew, I could use some ice water.

Munich is ok, I'd doubt I'd feel the desire to return but for what is arguably the finest Trader Vic's one will ever encounter...apart from London. I have been eager to visit the Munich Vic's since I first saw pictures of the place. Mr Kirsten's expert opinion held some weight as well. This is it, Vic's as it was and should always be: a lone stairway to the subterranean space, numerous small dark rooms to explore, decor from exotic locales. Sublime. Glorious. Fukkin' Ayy! If, like yours truly, you like Trader Vic's then get a packing and get to Munich 'cause this is it. The place, the Vic's...the best. Along with London, that is.

I spent three straight nights at Munich's Vic's. The manager and staff were welcoming and accepting to my enthusiastic photo-taking and fervent proclamations of love for their place of work. I spent a goodly amount of time talking cocktails with Joe, the thirty-year veteran of mixology at this Vic's. The man is an artist and I was honored to get completely rat-arsed from his productions. After I imbibed in the Munich Sour and Rum Cosmo I left it up to him. Joe was my cocktail navigator on this leg of the journey. He set a course for Scorpion and then, as he put it, "This will will make you happy" Tiki Puka Puka. Oh yes, happy indeed! Joe was a highlight of my travels and worth the price of a trip to Munich alone.

Hanging at the bar in Munich's Vic's, enjoying a finely crafted cocktail, and then discussing drinks with the very expert who made it for you. If you're an old rummy like me, it does not get much better.

LONDON LUAU 007

Ahhh-Hoooo, back in London. Oh, and not for just any rum-soaked stop at Vic's either. This was special, like special Luau 007, The London Luau! Yes, that makes six consecutive nights at a Trader Vic's. No, I don't have a problem. Heck, upon my return I was tempted to have the driver stop at SF Vic's on my home from the airport, but Lars is gone to the Big D and I thought seven would be excessive. Six nights in a row? A man about town, solo world traveler, sophisticated drinking veteran of Polynesian cocktails the globe over. Seven? Sad and pathetic drinking alone and bothering the help.

The longest damn tiki trip of the year ended up at the superbly hosted London Luau. London, tiki, cocktails, Trader Vic's, drinks, art, fun entertainment, rum yummys. Hey, how come I didn't attend these before!?! I got there for the festivities Saturday at Vic's and was able to meet, via my seating at the "Tiki International" table, many new/old/special tiki mates. I know them, I love them, just never met them in person! Good times, good time indeed, Jimmy Walker. I dug the art show and market at the Truman Brewery. Bo and his orchestra, from Sweden no less, were fantastic. Sunday at Trailer Happiness was a highlight, once I could find the place, that is. This was my kind of Tiki Event, Anjy! Plus, I was able to enjoy two of the finer Clubs one will score in the UK. At the Park Tower, 86 the fried egg, dig the grilled chicken and chips, enjoy the view over the West End...oh yeas, midnite likes!

Ya know, these UK tiki brethren of ours, they do a bang up job. Cheekytiki, and Patrick from London Vic's, put on a great show. The tiki folk over there may not have the numerous tiki assets we have here in the States, but they do a lot with what they got. There are some serious tiki artists, fans, connesoiurs over there. Heck, a couple of these fellows even made it to Hukilau just four days after the London Luau. Talk about dedication, they got it, in spades. Pound for pound, the weight not the Sterling, the Britiki contingent are tough to beat, tiki-wise. They know their stuff, enjoy it deeply, and are doing great things to keep the theme and aesthetic alive. Doing tiki in Florida or Southern Cal is easy, try it in foggy old London town. Well, they do, and they do it well.

Look out, guv'nor! Ya shalln't keep this roaming yank (sounds like fun) from London Luau '08. Ahh-hoooo!

FINAL SCORE

Germany: Berlin, wow. Munich Trader Vic's, double secret wow.
England: My tiki mates in the UK. London Vic's. Club Sandwich at Sheraton Park Tower.

Let's call it a draw and all get along. There's enough tiki love to spread around! London or Munich Trader Vic's...you cannot make me pick between the two. I'll see ya back at both. I'll be sitting at the bar, the hairy-handed gent, looking at a map, wondering where I am.

Heh, draw blood!
midnite

Post #313906 by midnite on Wed, Jun 20, 2007 12:51 PM