TIKI OASIS IV - How was the Event? How was the Resort? How was The REEF? - California Events

A Atomicchick Tiki Socialite Southern California Joined: Sep 08, 2003 Posts: 590	A Atomicchick Posted posted on Wed, May 12, 2004 8:45 PM This was my 3rd TO and I do have to agree it did have a very different vibe this year. The first time I went (TO 2), it was great. There were few vendors, but all had great stuff to sell. The drinks were out of this world and the music was perfect! There was just enough people to make you feel as if you were at a backyard BBQ. Last year (TO 3) in my opinion was the best year. The music was on from the early morning thru late in the evening. There were huge speakers set up on tri-pods around the pool so music was everywhere. There were more vendors than the year before which was great, but not too many. A few vendors were offering great deals on mugs, pendants, carvings, etc. I got the best scores from Munktiki, picking up the unreleased mugs skull monkey ($10), U Bastard ($15), El Bastardo ($10 in red too!), two-Tiki Oasis lil' Bastard mugs in white ($14 for both), even a Shecky for $18 (which was the most expensive mug I purchased). I left the Munktiki table with I believe 13 mugs and spent less than $150. I also picked up great mugs from Tiki Diablo, House of Tiki, and Tiki Farm. Total mugs purchased 21...total amount spent $200. Don't even get me started on the Mai Tai's....all I have to say is I was feeling pretty good! And the tiki carvings...outstanding! There was a live tiki carving show, dive-in movie, I even got a personalized letter from Shag were he signed it and drew a little pic of himself. This year, in my opinion, seems as if there were more vendors than people who were there to just enjoy the atmosphere. The feeling of just relaxing with people that share a same special interest seemed to be lacking. The event did have a little "swap meet" feel to it. About the items getting stolen...that's some bullsh*t! I have always felt that "tiki people" are the most trustworthiest people I have ever known. Our towels were stolen (and they weren't the cool towels from the tropics with the tiki's on them either) from our personal lounge chairs while my hubby and I went to get some drinks, that pissed me off royally! Towels??? Those towels were $15. $15!!!! What kind of person steals cheap used towels??? The music, I'll just say that The King and Crazy Al are always the best in my book. And the deals??? What deals? This year the cheapest mug I bought was $25 (not bad at all, but the only cheap mug), thanks Tiki Diablo! And as for Munktiki, don't get me wrong, I love these guys and I think they do fantastic work, but this year, I walked away from their table with three mugs and $185 less in my wallet (compare to last year) and there were three other mugs that I wanted from them, but if I bought them, I would have been out an additional $400 which is simply out of my price range. I bought five mugs this year and spent $250 and I really shouldn't have spent so much (tapped). It made me kind of sad but not in the normal "sad" type way. I thought it seemed like the prices at most of the vending tables were as high as they were to maybe discourage resale, ebay, etc. I know resale happens, but it sucks for the people (like me) that are collectors and ONLY COLLECTORS that might be getting the shaft because of this. The parking, I really can't complain because I did find a parking spot. I did think it kind of a bummer that people had to move their cars and park blocks away. The ice...MORE ICE it was freakin' hot! I know I'm going on and on, but I just hope that the TO event doesn't turn into something far from the original vision of it. Too much of anything (tiki excluded of course) can be a bad thing. Over the top isn't always better. Tiki is simple, tiki lifestyle is relaxed, kick-back and enjoy yourself and hopefully this will remain throughout all future events....just my opinion. :)

This was my 3rd TO and I do have to agree it did have a very different vibe this year. The first time I went (TO 2), it was great. There were few vendors, but all had great stuff to sell. The drinks were out of this world and the music was perfect! There was just enough people to make you feel as if you were at a backyard BBQ.

Last year (TO 3) in my opinion was the best year. The music was on from the early morning thru late in the evening. There were huge speakers set up on tri-pods around the pool so music was everywhere. There were more vendors than the year before which was great, but not too many. A few vendors were offering great deals on mugs, pendants, carvings, etc. I got the best scores from Munktiki, picking up the unreleased mugs skull monkey ($10), U Bastard ($15), El Bastardo ($10 in red too!), two-Tiki Oasis lil' Bastard mugs in white ($14 for both), even a Shecky for $18 (which was the most expensive mug I purchased). I left the Munktiki table with I believe 13 mugs and spent less than $150. I also picked up great mugs from Tiki Diablo, House of Tiki, and Tiki Farm. Total mugs purchased 21...total amount spent $200. Don't even get me started on the Mai Tai's....all I have to say is I was feeling pretty good! And the tiki carvings...outstanding! There was a live tiki carving show, dive-in movie, I even got a personalized letter from Shag were he signed it and drew a little pic of himself.

This year, in my opinion, seems as if there were more vendors than people who were there to just enjoy the atmosphere. The feeling of just relaxing with people that share a same special interest seemed to be lacking. The event did have a little "swap meet" feel to it. About the items getting stolen...that's some bullsh*t! I have always felt that "tiki people" are the most trustworthiest people I have ever known. Our towels were stolen (and they weren't the cool towels from the tropics with the tiki's on them either) from our personal lounge chairs while my hubby and I went to get some drinks, that pissed me off royally! Towels??? Those towels were $15. $15!!!! What kind of person steals cheap used towels??? The music, I'll just say that The King and Crazy Al are always the best in my book. And the deals??? What deals? This year the cheapest mug I bought was $25 (not bad at all, but the only cheap mug), thanks Tiki Diablo! And as for Munktiki, don't get me wrong, I love these guys and I think they do fantastic work, but this year, I walked away from their table with three mugs and $185 less in my wallet (compare to last year) and there were three other mugs that I wanted from them, but if I bought them, I would have been out an additional $400 which is simply out of my price range. I bought five mugs this year and spent $250 and I really shouldn't have spent so much (tapped). It made me kind of sad but not in the normal "sad" type way. I thought it seemed like the prices at most of the vending tables were as high as they were to maybe discourage resale, ebay, etc. I know resale happens, but it sucks for the people (like me) that are collectors and ONLY COLLECTORS that might be getting the shaft because of this.

The parking, I really can't complain because I did find a parking spot. I did think it kind of a bummer that people had to move their cars and park blocks away. The ice...MORE ICE it was freakin' hot!

I know I'm going on and on, but I just hope that the TO event doesn't turn into something far from the original vision of it. Too much of anything (tiki excluded of course) can be a bad thing. Over the top isn't always better. Tiki is simple, tiki lifestyle is relaxed, kick-back and enjoy yourself and hopefully this will remain throughout all future events....just my opinion. :)

Post #90905 by Atomicchick on Wed, May 12, 2004 8:45 PM