Post #712930 by TikiTacky on Thu, Apr 3, 2014 8:56 AM

There's definitely discrepancies in the story. Donn himself told it several different ways (one being the boat was owned by his uncle, another by his grandfather). I don't think there's any doubt he actually traveled to the islands he claims he did, although where that money came from and how much he had is up for debate. He had enough to open a restaurant in Hollywood when he returned, so it wasn't petty cash. Plus, Donn wasn't known as the master story teller that Trader Vic was.

I believe that as Donn told the story so many times over so many years, details were forgotten and re-crafted. But the general story (dad struck it rich in oil, Donn takes a voyage, Donn starts a restaurant) stayed the same.