Post #31980 by tikivixen on Tue, Apr 29, 2003 3:39 PM

Dean, the Idaho/Saratoga Hotel ghost story tidbit is fascinating. Now I have to get out my equipment and go investigate. Make way for the intrepid parapsychologist! Er, after I win the lottery...

It was marvelous to see so many Bay Area TCers turn out for the book-signing! And such fun to watch the evening evolve into a delightfully inebriated, happy party--a true evocation of tiki spirit. I am of the opinion that there is no buzz more perfectly mellow than that provided by a Trader Vic's Mai Tai. Or three.

And (oh, my head, ow) the fun continued seamlessly into the next night at Mr Smiley's intimate and entertaining soiree in the fabulous Ugh House Tiki Bar, which featured, among other things, gypsy fortune-telling by no less a personage than legendary performer Ethel Merman (lovingly embodied by Tikihag)--with a chorus of enthusiastic backup Ethels to boot!

Anyone who skips an evening at the Ugh House, misses out Big Time.

As it happens, the Tiki Bar Review Pages were my first tiki-related Internet discovery, almost three years back.

I've enjoyed them ever since, and the book is a terrifically readable, comprehensive version. Funny, lively, informative, and very well-organized, it's a must for anyone into Tiki--or just in dire need of an excuse for a road trip. And what's more, I love to think that this book may help some of these establishments--both new and old--to survive and prosper.

James, it was a great pleasure to finally meet you! I have but one small suggestion: your next edition WILL include a chapter on landscaping and shrubbery issues, I hope?

concerned,

Lisa aka Tikivixen

p.s. NI!