Post #385253 by Tangaroa-Ru on Fri, Jun 6, 2008 11:34 PM

Aloha, culture-lovers. Another day of pre-Hukilau exploration. FYI: If you're staying at the Yankee Clipper, valet parking is $16.00 per day. Otherwise you can self-park (in the same structure) for $12.00 per day. Okay, it's only a $4.00 difference, but multiply that by four days and that's a pu-pu platter or two good cocktails. You decide. The parking structure is directly across the street from the Clipper, and there's an elevated walkway on the fourth floor of the structure that takes you directly into the Clipper, thus avoiding dragging your jet-lagged patoot, luggage, etc., across Highway A1A.

Had sunset Mai Tai's with the lovely and effervescent Marina the Mermaid tonight (sans her swimmy tail). She is a fun woman and incredibly multi-talented. Not JUST a mermaid (which I say is PLENTY), but she also is a skilled belly-dancer, fire-eater, and has her pilot's license! We swapped stories of how our fragile minds were warped as children by our family members love of Tiki. (Her parents and my maternal grandparents.)

Last night, I went to the Mai Kai to do some photography. About thirty minutes in, the Mai Kai's enthusiastic manager, Kern Mattei, introduced himself and took me on an impressive behind-the-scenes tour. I was amazed by the whole Mai Kai operation, but I must say that seeing the mixology center (for lack of a better term) was the most impressive (and most difficult to drag myself away from). Shelves upon shelves of every kind of rum and jewel-colored liquor you can imagine, fresh coconuts, home made fruit syrups... all heavily guarded by their master mixologist. Kern opened a rare bottle of pre-ban Cuban rum (over 60 years old) and let me take a deep whiff. Seriously, if they could turn that into a perfume, that would be one heck of a man-magnet. (At least for THIS crowd! You know, I just got an idea for my exclusive Eau de Hukilau scent for for this year...)

Met some very friendly local TC-ers (Chip and Andy, Loki, Elisabeth...) who made me feel very welcome. THANK YOU!! Hey everybody, make sure you say hello to them, because they've been involved with some of the rehab of the Mai Kai. Ask them about what they've been doing! They're good people who truly love the Mai Kai.

Stopped by the Mai Kai gift shop (AGAIN) and, as of last night, there was only one more "Mystery Bowl" for sale ($85.00). I hope they're getting in some more by next week, but I don't know. Still, there are plenty of other Mai Kai souvenirs to purchase. Not to mention all the creative Hukilau vendors goodies...