ETI 25 - Tiki Gardens (Exotica, Hawaiian & Tiki Music)

For this 25th episode,  I wanted to do something special for all you listeners and at the same time pay homage to one of Florida's best south seas Polynesian tiki tourist attractions. I'm referring to a place where every element was Polynesian themed. Some of the attractions on the roster included:

• Polynesian Garden

• Peacocks Villa

• a Jungle Trail

• Tiki Lagoon

• Monkey Village

• The Garden Wedding Chapel

• Fire Mountain

• Bird Tower

• Trader Franks "Polynesian" restaurant

•  and 8 gift shops that offered souvenirs and treasures from the south seas and beyond

I'm sure many of you already know the place I've just described. But for those of you who don't, I'd like to introduce you to

"Tiki Gardens". 

Tiki Gardens was a South Seas Polynesian theme park located in Indian Shores, Florida. In 1962, "Trader" Frank and "Wahine"Jo Byars opened a small garden (about four acres) that was adjacent to their Signal House Gift shop. Unfortunately in 1963 the gift shop burned down but within one year, Frank and Jo were able to rebuild, expand and reopen the attraction.  And By 1969 "Tiki Gardens" expanded to a 12 acre tourist attraction making it a favorite for guests of all ages. 

Now, Sadly in 1986, the Byars sold "Tiki Gardens" to a developer who planned to build a hotel on the large property but it never came to be and eventually the land was turned into a public beach access parking lot.  Luckily for us, there was a souvenir LP record produced that included an audio journey of "Tiki Gardens". This LP was titled "Exotic Sounds from Tiki Gardens" and it features the song "Polynesian Fantasy", which your hearing in the background. 

For this special 25th episode, "Tiki Gardens" will be open again for business, at least in our imaginations on Exotic Tiki Island.   Join me now as I play host and MC to this wonderful Polynesian attraction from yesteryear and share with you the Exotic Sounds of Tiki Gardens. 

Show LInks:

Our Sponsor:

Ho-Tap-Fefti (Paradise Found)

Website: http://www.cafepress.com/hotepnefti

Official Exotic Tiki Island Website:

http://www.exotictikiisland.com

Track List:

1. Trade Winds - Kenny Sasaki & The Tiki Boys

2. Hawaii - King Keoni and his Islanders - This Is Hawaii

3. Blue Hawaii - Eddie Bush - Legends of the Ukulele

4. Hukilau - Sol Kamahele & Diamond Head Beach Boys - Music of Hawaii

5. Beyond the reef - New Hawaiian Band - Hawaii's Greatest Hits

6. Lovely Hula Hands - Bing Crosby - Return to Paradise Islands

7. Aloha Oe - Elvis Presley - Blue Hawaii

8. Honana Honana / Tsviri - Eddie Lund - The mutiny Drums - Sharkskin Concerto

9. Hawaiian Wedding Song from Tiki Gardens CD

10. Coronation - Martin Denny - Quite Village

11. Yellow Bird - Art Coates - Whistling Like the Birds

12. Island Moon - The Polynesions

13. The Ancient Galleon - Les Baxter - The Exotic Moods of Les Baxter

14. Crickets Of Karachi - Don Tiare - The Music Of Les Baxter

15. Moonlight In Waikiki - Danny Stweart - Song of the Islands

16. Afro-Samba - Rodger Roder - Nino Nardini - Obsession Exotique

17. Pretty Red Hibiscus - The Hawaiian Beach Boys - Bali Hai

18. Lotus Land - Martin Denny - The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny

19. The Sounds of Exotica - Ted Auletta - Exotica

20. Polynesia Poppie - Kava Kon

21. Temptation - Johnny Spencer and the Kona Koasters - s' Pacifica

22. Hula Blues - Lani McIntire -

23. Tiki Gardens - Tiki Brian's Exotic Remix (again with outré)

24. On a Coconut Island - Paul Shimomoto - All That Hawaiian Jazz