Tracy and Carol's Wedding and Luau Adventure!

Almost eloping
FROM ARIZONA TO HAWAII TO A LUAU!
The Hawaii Wedding Adventure of Tracy and Carol

Tracy and Carol met online and it wasn't long before they knew they were going to spend the rest of their lives together. Yes, another one of my couples who met online. It's the norm these days people, not the exception. What I do find surprising is that Tracy and Carol never met in person before they met online. They both reside in Flagstaff, Arizona, a small ski resort town nestled in the mountains of Arizona. Total population? 60,222, or less than what it would take to fill a football stadium. Honestly, I would think that Tracy and Carol would have had to run into each other at a Walmart!

That's one great first kiss. Elias looks stunned.

Yes, Flagstaff is a pretty small town. I remember when I first ventured there, I asked for directions to that local Walmart where they should have met. A nice old man told me to ride past the town, and Walmart will be on my left. So I hopped on my bike and found the Walmart, but didn't find the town.

"You rode by it", a woman told me as she pointed to the tiny buildings on the road.

"Oh, that's the town." Wow, boy am I ignorant,I thought.

Flagstaff is small, but that's it's strength. I kinda like it. It's a great town with tons of mountain biking trails, lots of outdoor things to do, and great people.

I like this photo

There are hundreds of reasons why Tracy and Carol are perfect for each other. I just happen to know one of them, politics. They agree politically. And they agree politically with me. Which way do they lean? My way... Which way that is? If you've read my blogs, you'll know.

Shooting directly into the sun. Take that digital cameras.

The gang

Tracy and Carol are a great couple. I shot their wedding last year, and we still keep in touch till this very day via email and facebook. This year I'll be heading to Arizona for a short vacation, and I'll be sure to stop by their place! By the way, if you didn't add me to your facebook page, do it! My page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/weddingguy. You can take a deeper look into my sick mind there and it's just a great way to keep in touch with me after your wedding. Oh, I list my religion there as Christian-Amish, but I'm not Amish. I don't think we have any Amish in Oahu. Yes, I'm funny like that.

Moon-walking on the beach?

What was really cool about my new friends was that they invited me to their Luau after their wedding. I was at first hesitant, because I didn't want to be a third wheel. But since their friends were there with them, I would technically be the fifth wheel, and I was a.o.k. with that. Fifth wheels get all chicks.

Tracy and Carol took me to Germaine's Luau, which was great, because I had never been there. Neither had Tracy, or their two friends. But Carol, was a Germaine's Luau veteran. She loved the show, and knew what was going down from beginning to end.

Tracy and Carol at Germaine's!

When comparing the two major Luau's, Paradise Cove and Germaine's, Germaine's always comes back with the more favorable reviews. It is much more intimate at Germaine's than Paradise Cove as the show takes place in a very small area.

The pig being removed from the Imu, or underground oven....that was good stuff

One of the elements of Germaine's Luau that I really enjoyed was the removal of the Kalua Pig from the Imu (Hawaiian for underground oven). I don't believe I saw this when I was at Paradise Cove, although I do know at Paradise Cove, they also cook their pig in an Imul. Kalua Pig is a signature Hawaiian dish, and to say the least, it taste awesome. Before I forget, Kalua, pronounced, "Ka-loo-ah," and it's Hawaiian for shredded. It's quite easy to make this dish, and you don't need an underground oven to do it.

Here's my quick recipe:

Take a large serving of pork butt and wrap it with tin foil. Take a steamer, fill it with water, and add a little liquid smoke flavor to the water. Then, steam your pork butt for 3 to 4 hours, or until the pork butt is extremely tender (test with a fork). Unwrap, and shred the pork with two forks. It should shred easily! Then, create a salt sauce on the side by combining sea salt, vegetable oil, and a dab of liquid smoke to create the sauce. Then, like a surgeon, slowly mix in this sauce into portions of the shredded pig. Be careful not use too much sauce, or you'll have too salty Kalua Pig... Do it slowly...even watering down your mixture if you need with a little water. And there you go! Kalua Pig in your home!

What I picked out at the buffet. It's all you can eat! Great food.

The dancers of Germaine's Luau

Who is that shaking their booty? Hmm.....

My final verdict on the Germaine's Luau. It was extremely cool. I had a lot of fun, and the food was great. Is it better than Paradise Cove? Well, I don't know. It's not worse, it's not better. It's just different. I had fun at both. Germaine's does make a bogus claim though that they are the luau that locals go to...but the truth is, locals throw luaus in their backyard. Haha. I don't know which one I would recommend. They both are very very good. I can say one thing though. The women at Paradise Cove Luau are much better looking...haha. Maybe that's why my brides like Germaine's better...haha.

I really would like to thank Tracy and Carol for extending the invitation to Germaine's. That was extremely cool of them. I'll pay them back when I head to Flagstaff later this year! Applebee's right?!!! (I love that place, we don't have one here!)

I would like to end by saying that Tracy and Carol were my clients, now they're my friends...

I wish you my best and Godspeed.




Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Report
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com