A Basic Friday Night In Paia

If you’re a surfer, Friday night in Paia is a challenge. Staying up late isn’t easy when you routinely get up at 5:00 AM to do the dawn patrol at your favorite break.

But the Friday night surf movie at Lightning Bolt surf shop doesn’t start until 8:00PM. There might be a party to go to first. Or if you’re staying at the Paia Inn (or invited, as many people were last Friday) there’s jazz music and a BYOB get together in the courtyard. Last Friday night there were also two really good street musician bands in full swing–three young and very talented kids doing some haunting original modern rock, and across the street, an incredibly good five piece combo with a very hot violin payer and excellent guitarist.

Typical Paia Party–the women are decked out, and the guys…not so much

The bar at Jacques was jammed with locals and there was some kind of celebration going on in the outdoor dining area. Diane and I opted for a quiet dinner at Moana Cafe. We both ordered Filet Mignon medallions and a good Cabernet. The entrees tool a little longer than we expected, so we were getting a little nervous as 7:30 approached, since we planned to stop at the Paia Inn before going to the movie at Lightning Bolt. When our filets came, we tasted them and I said “let’s not worry about being late, I want to enjoy this”. Superb.

Moana Cafe–always great food

By the time we finished and walked back to the Paia Inn it was nearly 8:00PM, but we could see that Frank was running a little late on the movie. So we dropped off some ginger/papaya chocolate bark Diane had made, and crossed the parking lot to the Inn. There were only a few people there, and we realized the drinks were BYOB, so I went to the Wine Corner (just a block away) and got a nice bottle of Rose. We had hardly settled in and had just started chatting with some folks, when I say the flicker of the movie at lightning bolt. The movie was “Busting Down The Door” which I had never seen, so I was anxious to see it all. We got to our seats just as the opening title rolled. Excellent film, I highly recommend it.

Lightning Bolt surf shop

After the movie we talked with some friends at Lightning Bolt, then headed back over to the Inn, where the party was in full swing. I shot a few pictures and was enjoying the crowd, but I could tell Diane was about finished. I was feeling a little put out at having to leave, but when we got to the car, Diane drove (since I had had quite a bit more wine than she) and I immediately conked out. I woke up when we pulled into the driveway. We both shambled to bed.

the Paia Inn Party starts to roll

Nice band, but with so many people talking they were a little hard to hear

the party filled the courtyard and spilled into the lobby

Nice hat. I need one of those, though my head is big and square–probably better not

The band was relaxed and comfortale with the crowd

Diane’s patented “hat up buckwheat, we’re outa here” look

I woke up at 5:00AM as usual, feeling a bit fragile. I looked out the window at the wind, driving rain and small swell, and decided to bake scones.

You need a good breakfast before making any foolish decisions about surfing.