Just a quick drive through one of FL's many hidden treasure troves of 50's archetecture- sure enough, we struck Tiki! Mai Tiki's studios are here, along with the Wakulla Suites, a 'Polynesian' redo of a 50's classic worth seeking out.

We took time out of CA along our Tiki Trek to make a side trip over to Reno, NV- specifically to seek out Trader Dick's. Despite the odd underwater stained glass lamps and lack of hanging fish floats or pufferfish lamps, we enjoyed Trader Dick's just the same! One gets the feeling they are enjoying dinner somewhere deep within the jungle, with Tikis peering out from under leaves at you! Many classic Tiki elements and artifacts remain. Just be careful to avoid the Karaoke!

"Kon-Tiki Hotel and Apartments" (350 East Aviation Blvd.) and the nearby "Pebble Beach Village"

During our time in Vancouver, brought on by the 'holy crap it's a Tiki event in Vancouver' event, we also were fortunate enough to spend some extra time with some of the area Tikiphiles.

The Fraternal Order of Moai, or FOM, threw their fourth annual Hot Rod Hula Hop (HRHH) in Columbus at Largo's Tavern. Friday night's "Feast of the Tiki Gods" was once again, incredible, right down to the Roast Kalua Pig! We were serenaded by Francis Llacuna (who used to play at the Tropical Bistro) and later on we were treated to breathtaking hula by Leilani Duteil. Saturday, Largo's parking lot filled with Tiki vendors, and magnificent custom and vintage hot rods, rolling labours of love. As dusk fell, Lucky, The Painproof Man put on his incredible sideshow performance. Later on in the evening, Barnyard Burlesque did a special show created just for the HRHH. Both nights the bands and musicians; Pablus, Waitiki, Vegas 66, Go Tsunami, the Cocktail Preachers, The Heptanes, and the Koffin Kats were fantastic! The HRHH is one of my favourite Tiki events, it's unlike any of the other events I've been to. It has a very special vibe and is put on by some incredibly special people.

Includes pix from both our May 2003 trip through San Diego and our May 2005 trip. San Diego was the first stop on our California (Mostly) Coastal Crawl, so there are pix from our evening at the Bali Hai with the San Diegan Tikiphiles, too!