We've made two trips to the Palm Springs Area in the last two years. Here are several albums full of Desert Polynesia. Unfortunately, not a great deal remains of this once mighty Tiki nirvana. Two Galleries lurk within- comparisons between our 2003 and 2005 trips to the Caliente Tropics and the now defunct Tiki Spa.

The Wildwoods in New Jersey are perhaps the east coast's best surviving examples of Googie architecture. That said, though, they are already GREATLY diminished from even just a couple years back. More than 70 of the hotels were already gone before we made this trip. Sadly some of the best examples of the Tiki achitectural style were already gone- the Kona Kai and the Tahitian. I only have four words for anyone interested in understaning midcentury commercial architecture- "GO NOW! Don't wait!"

Tiki time- all the Time!

A late in the year visit to the Columbus, Ohio's Tropical Bistro. These are from late in the evening, so we could get lots of pix of the space itself.

A holiday excursion to Trader Vic's Atlanta- one of the most wonderful- and intact- Tiki palaces we've toured yet! Neither words, nor pictures can express the intricate beauty that is one of our most treasured surviving temples.

Update- Alas, the Pacific is not more. It too has passed on into the deep jungle mists. Fortunately, many of the recipes and drinks should live on at Cheng's- Cheng's Oriental Restaurant Route 7 - Regal Center 20921 Davenport Drive, Sterling, VA 20165 Original album description- If Vera's White Sands is our local Maryland authentic 'vintage' Tiki, The Pacific in VA is our 'local' neo-Tiki. Despite its brick exterior, an exotic oasis awaits! Unfortunately, our lousy cell phone camera fails to capture the gist of it. These from a recent trip with our friend.

A quiet evening at the Islander just the two of us was followed the next night with a 'one night only' get together with the tribe in Seattle. Amazingly, it escalated into a mini Tiki crawl, first to Dogbytes and Todd's Rongorongo room, then off to Puamana & Selector Lopaka's Back yard Bali Hai, finishing off a whirlwind evening at Thai Ku with excellent Thai food, serious atmosphere and most importantly, the wonderful and exotic sounds of Selector Lopaka DJing the night away! We're MUCH indebted to our Seattle Ohana for showing us such a fantastic time! Annual event I tell you! Make it happen!

These are pictures of some of our friends and family who have visited the Lounge. Other Ohana who have visited are of course, included in the events folders inside the Lounge of the Seven Pleasures folder up above.

Fins Hawaiian Fusion and Sushi Bar. A suburban Maryland taste of the Islands with real Aloha spirit! http://www.finsonline.net/