Dedicated readers, Tiki with Ray has foolishly left his computer out and yours truly cracked his password (12345 same as on my luggage) and taken the helm of the ship. Let us hope it doesn’t capsize as I do donuts and recreate scenes from Speed 2, or possibly, the Titanic. Either way we have rocky shoals ahead.
Speaking of boats, on May 18th 2024, the PNW Tiki community witnessed the resurrection of Tiki Cruises on Lake Washington. The Hiyu, an old Washington Ferry servicing the Point Defiance to Tahlequah route before being transitioned into a top tier venue providing events pace in our inland waters had been the spot for several Tiki themed sunset cruises in before disappearing during the dark times and like Tiki is making its own 2nd wave in 2024 with events designed to entice the locals and visitors alike including our titular favorite Seattle Sunset Tiki Cruise.
This particular event, hosted by the best of Tiki Planning Marlow Harris, Joe David, Jeff Wilson, and Cheryl Serio started out with the standard hazard of Seattle in May, rain, rain and more rain. Now we who live with tropical dreams in the PNW know that weather depending merely means how wet we will be. Because rain or shine (and it’s gonna rain) we will be at that event.
So, while we Western Washington weather watchers waited warily and stared fixedly at the forecast yet still planning for the height of tropical Tiki wear, many would ask the ultimate Tiki question in our area. “Does this raincoat go with this ensemble?” Fortune smiled on those of us huddled under sunscreens and hiding in cars watching the liquid sunshine fall all around us, as while the Hiyu pulled in to its berth our sky’s parted and a truly beautiful Seattle sunset readied itself for the celebrants of dark delights.
Our ferry turned venue docked close to the MOHAI and the thirsty throng lined up to be bracelted and admitted to our latest Tiki escape.
With security secured, vendors vending, and bartenders tending the bars and in one case table serving our signature rum libations from Sierra Kirk. we started to experience the floating dream that is the Seattle Tiki Cruise. Floating hot tubs beware as the Hiyu set off to the soothing sounds of the Tikiphiles exotic musical escape.
Our hosts and the owners of the Hiyu didn’t miss a trick in planning with plenty of covered spaces including a large, tented space for the band and dance floor and a tasty taco truck providing snacks for all.
The new (to me at least) bracelet-based pay system worked with only a couple of hitches at the beginning and everyone this Tiki lover ran in to seemed to be having a wonderful time watching a traditional Seattle Sunset on Lakes union and Washington.
We danced, we drank, we did dark deeds (I ate a Pork Taco), so much fun was had by all that as I eventually shuffled off the ship intent on collecting my four-footed friends from their temporary housing, the cry of the after party was making the rounds.
Truly there are few places as fun for those of us looking for a Tiki escape as the PNW and the Hiyu Tiki Cruise was an excellent example of that.
Well, it looks like Ray has broken down the door and I am going to have to make a run for it. Until next time!
Looks like it was mucho fun. Wish I could have gone… Thanks for sharing.
Far out man! We don’t have any water near where I live. SO my back yard has to suffice, lol…