Post #777425 by VampiressRN on Sun, Jul 2, 2017 12:37 PM

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My biggest problem right now is that my wife has taken a strong liking to pink flamingoes, which I have tried to address by keeping them far away from the bar and toward the periphery of our backyard. This ranges from towels on the chaises, a plastic one stuck out in the garden and another small garden light to a bright neon light that I have banished to the top of a beer cooler at the far end of the garage. So far, so good – I’m holding my breath hoping she doesn’t bring any more home…

When I was a kid my parents took me and my sister to the top of the El Cortez/San Diego for our first cocktails (Shirley Temples) and I was instantly hooked on the whole bar genre. I was fascinated by the environment, the cocktail glasses, the coasters, the straws, the fruity decor...and the bar was like seeing the city of Oz for me. My parents weren't drinkers,but when I would go to other friend's houses, they would have delightful bars and I was in awe. But my favorite of all time had to be the Bali Hai/San Diego. I used to hang around at the hotels on Shelter island as a kid and it felt so wonderful to be wrapped in the Palms, Rubber Trees, Birds of Paradise, the nautical fringes, the beautiful San Diego Bay. Mr Bali Hai was a God to me...he beckoned me inside for more awesome treasures. Dad took us to Disneyland every summer and the Tiki Tiki Tiki Room was a favorite. I felt that same comfort wrapped in tropical splendor. When I was of age,my friends and eventually the ex and I went to the Hanlei many times and the Polynesian splendor was overwhelmingly calling me to feel that blending of the tropics, cocktails, and music...it was comforting and familiar.

Fast forward and life takes many turns. I had forgotten about the comfort I had in the bar, Tiki, tropical, socializing atmosphere. But some things I clung to. Before I ever knew of the Tiki community I would buy exotica music and tropical decor. After my divorce I shopped frequently at thrift and antique stores. I found a large 60's rattan/bamboo bar with stools and put it in my garage.

My friend and I went to Kauai once and I loved the exotica music they played on the plane so I looked it up when I got back home and all that searching lead me to TC. I was sold, it all came together for me. I never was much for anything from Party City so thankfully missed that mistake. I learned a lot from the TC community. I was saddened when new people posted "bad" Tiki and were admonished by the experts. I am certainly guilty of complementing the struggling home bar posters. I got in big trouble myself for hanging my Vontiki bike form the ceiling in my lounge, but I defended it as a piece of art. I went to a few events (Tiki Oasis, Tiki Caliente and crawls) and met many new friends and linked with other Tikiphiles in Sacramento. I realized I would never be an expert but I learned a lot from Wendy & Dan, Duane, Mark and Mike. Looking at their decor and collections helped to guide me in the right direction.

I have to say that over the years I have truly grown to appreciate our purists and folks that blend their collections with their other passions. I too have an unending love of Flamingos. Thankfully I won't be mixing them in with the Tiki, but am going to have them take center stage in my 50's diner style kitchen (a work in progress). I cringe when I read articles by self-proclaimed experts that don't seem to "get" Tiki, so I guess I have learned a little.

Couldn't have made it this far without Sven/BOT, Les Baxter/my personal Vibe fetish, Forbidden Island/Monkeypod, all the wonderful Tiki artists, the awesomeness of the El Cortez, and mostly the Bali Hai.

In a nutshell, I'm living my childhood over as an adult.