I'm almost out of money!

August on the Garden Island!

Aloha!

It's been about a year since I last visited the "Garden Island." You all know this is one of my favorite spots to hang loose. The locals here tell me that the recession really hasn't hit Kauai very hard. My reply:

"It's hit me like a Mike Tyson blow."

Although I'm exaggerating a tad bit,

(as I wince and shake off the pain in my ribs from the Tyson punch)

it's still a different sort of a vacation when the global economy is in a funk. And I think they get it here. Never less, things are still pretty chilled on the island. Slow and easy in paradise. The steady flow of tourist money still finds its' way to the local economy. And even when times are difficult, the locals seem to find a way to divorce themselves from the issues and just enjoy life. That's what I've been trying to do.....

What's happening on Kauai

I've noticed more foreigners here this year. In addition to the typical Americans and Asians, I've noticed quite a few Europeans and Canadians. The weakness of the U.S. dollar realative to their currencies and cheaper airfares no doubt, has made this a more affordable vacation for them.

I've also noticed that the sales tax here is approximately 4%. Granted there are many other resort and luxury taxes on goods and services here in the islands. In comparison to the sky-rocketing Los Angeles sales tax, I find the 4% number a welcome relief.

I hope you all are enjoying the final weeks of summer.



I'll be back to posting and visiting your blogs in a few days......


Til then,

Aloha!

The Hangover - A Movie Review!

Last night I stepped out for dinner and a movie. The dinner part was easy. We decided to try a a restaurant near the movie theater so we picked RockSugar in Century City. RockSugar, which takes its name from an essential ingredient used by Asian chefs is a new place. I believe it just opened last month. I think they're owned by the Cheesecake factory folks, but don't let that deter you. The food was pretty good and the service was exceptional. And It didn't really have that food chain feeling. RockSugar prides itself on it's mixture of the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and India. Wow, that was a mouth full. Restaurateur, David Overton and Singapore-raised, chef Mohan Ismail have done a fine job putting all of these exotic tastes together and they have created a comfortable environment to dine. It's a nice place to go with a small group of people and order a variety of dishes. The dishes are served Asian family-style and are great for sharing and discussing. If you're slightly adventurous, I can assure you that there's something on the menu especially for you. If bold new tastes don't excite you, there's still something on the menu for you but you might want to try the food court upstairs instead. It'll be cheaper. By the way, if you make it to RockSugar, be sure to try the Holy Basil Vanilla Twist Martini. It's refreshing and on the list of Los Angeles' top 10 original drinks.


So anyway, after I loaded up on the Crispy Spring Rolls, Clay pot Beef, Grapefruit and Jicama Salad, Thai Noodles, and Wok fried Chinese Long Beans I was content. Fortunately, I didn't overdo it. Because then my pants would have been too tight and the upcoming laughing would have been painful. We were considering two movies to see: Bruno and The Hangover. It just so happened that the times for The Hangover worked out better for our dinner plans.

What a Wild Ride!

This movie is totally whacked! It adds new meaning to the cliche "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas." I got the impression that the writers of this movie sat around a room and continued to out do each other with wild perversion until they had a complete story. The interesting thing about the complete project is - It all fits. And the story is totally plausible. I found myself laughing at one of the characters, and then two, then three, four.......
Five..... Six.......etc., even the baby was funny! (Remember - I liked the movie Old School)

The movie was sick and unfair! I think it offended everyone equally. From a male perspective, I totally get it. I even got the Mike Tyson part. They made "Iron Mike" look rather soft and sensitive but at the same time lethal. You end up laughing so much you forget about all of his personal trials, troubles, and tribulations. Mike Epps has a small role. He's a funny guy. I'm not sure they used him to his full potential.

Suffice to say, if you're a man above 18 years old, I think you'll like the movie. I was in doubt at how the movie would sit with the female members of our group but they seemed to enjoy the movie as well. I think it confirmed in their heads that women are definitely the smarter sex!

Sure makes you look and think differently about Bachelor Parties and Las Vegas.

By the way, if you like this movie - Take a look at the movie - "Very Bad Things" - Different, but similar.