|
The Bartender in Hawaii
The Bartender and
Hawaii correspondent Tia whoop it up in Honolulu.
One of these years, I'm going to spend more than four days at a time
in Hawaii.
I've been to the state on four occasions but those trips have accounted
for a grand total of just 15 days. So I'm looking forward to the time
when I can truly plunge into this wonderful paradise.
After all, Hawaii offers practically everything I desire in a location:
Water on all sides, beaches and bikinis, a unique culture, the ability
to easily replace civilization for nature, a relaxed existence and a
good selection of bars.
It may seem silly – a bit ridiculous, in fact – that I have
not done so already. By now, I should have logged enough time to have
a table permanently reserved at Duke's, be able to pronounce the landmarks
and actually enjoy driving 35 mph on the highways. Yet with each visit,
there has always been some pressing need to hurry back – an event
at home, a trip somewhere else, a work project in Honolulu that fell
through. But hey, at least I've BEEN here four times.
I'm almost certain I could live here and be quite content for some
time. I could easily wear Aloha shirts ever day, explore the hills and
the mountains, jet off to other islands and survive on a steady diet
of plate lunches. Maybe I would even get a part-time job selling suntan
lotion to tourists on Waikiki Beach (don't laugh, my friend did this
for something like seven years after college).
This crosses my mind with each visit, but then reality kicks in and
tells me I would miss the convenience of being within relatively easy
reach of ski resorts, European travel, bus trips to Jimmy Buffett concerts,
my parents and all else that comes with living on the "mainland."
Plus, I would absolutely HATE waking up at 5 or 6 in the morning on
fall Saturdays in order to watch my beloved Alabama Crimson Tide play
a football game on TV.
There are certainly some things I wish I could take with me to other
places. The orchids the girls put in their ears at the top of my list.
The left side means she's involved with someone, the right side means
she's single. This should be required wardrobe everywhere!
Wearing Aloha shirts to bars and business meetings is certainly something
I support. So, too, with the sandals being accepted just about anywhere.
The total kicked-back atmosphere of the bars – even the clubs – is
most desirable.
I just love The Wave. It's a Honolulu club tradition. Mention it to
someone who used to live there, or someone who has visited the city
frequently, and even if they've not been there in 10 years, they will
laugh and say, "Is that place still there?"
Of course, there's Duke's, my kind of place. It has the makings of
a tourist trap but the owners have resisted charging tourist prices
so it's possible to get buzzed on potent rum concoctions for less than
$6 a drink.
Now, if I could ever spend, say, a week there, maybe I would never
leave.
 Next
Stop on the Hawaii Party Bus: PreParty!
 First
stop on the Hawaii Party Bus: PreParty!
|