I had booked this as a surprise for my hubby so I was really looking forward to this tour based on how it was presented and the reviews we had read. Unfortunately, the tour didn't match the sales pitch.
I think it's VERY important to point out that we found out from another couple on the tour that it was supposed to be a female leading the group and when Shane arrived, he told us he was just filling in for someone and had never done this tour before.
We were told to arrive by 10:50 a.m., which we did. The entire group was at the meeting place waiting for the guide, Shane, who showed up at 11 and then we had to wait around for him to get organized. He spent the first 15-20 minutes telling us about himself, can’t say we found it relevant or interesting that he just got back to the island after doing humanitarian work and photography and that he got his job because his Mom sent him an ad from Craig’s List. Truthfully, he added no value to the tour whatsoever. Thank goodness for the vendors as they gave us information on their products and information about the island.
In the very beginning, Shane told us that we would be doing a few booths at the Farmers Market, then to the farm project, then to a Mexican restaurant and then to a Brewery...that was all the information he gave us.
At one point, just before heading to the farm, Shane disappeared and we didn’t know if we were supposed to wait or walk ahead over, others were also confused. When it was time to leave the farm and head to the Mexican restaurant, we asked Shane for directions and at one point he actually said “they’ve put in some new traffic lights so I’m not sure how many lights you have to go through before you turn.” If he doesn’t know and he was apparently born and raised on Kauai, how am I supposed to know when I live in Canada? At the Mexican restaurant, we all sat around a table and a waitress brought three bowls of chips and salsa and sat them down on the table with water. Shane said nothing. He tended to spend most of his time talking to one couple and a woman who was on the tour alone. After sitting at the table for about 10-15 minutes with no direction, I asked someone else if they had any idea what was going on and they said they knew nothing. Finally I asked Shane what was going on as we didn’t know if the chips and salsa was it or what. At that point he said “they are probably going to serve us a sandwich type thing. The chef may or may not come out and talk to us but she’s pretty shy so I’m not sure.” When it came time to go to the Brewery, same thing with directions.
As I said from the beginning, thank goodness for the vendors because they provided information except at the Mexican restaurant. The other person who was absolutely amazing on the tour was "Eric" who met us at the garden and provided us with information, personality and even some comedic humour.
I would also like to add that when we got home from Kauai, the fact that this tour was so disappointing really sad badly with us so I contacted "Tasting Kauai Food Tours" and advised them of our experience. I had several e/m exchanges with Dr. Addison Bulosan and he was very quick to offer us a refund or tickets for another tour. We weren't trying to get something for nothing so we agreed to a half refund. I thought this was fair.
I really think a different tour guide would have made a BIG difference.
Відповідь від хоста
May 2019
Aloha JustJo008 -
Thank you for posting your review after emailing us and chatting with us about our food tours. After speaking with our tour guide, Shane, our vendors, and other guests on the tour - we realize that it was a matter of miscommunication and unmet expectations.
We are super saddened that disappointing for you and your husband. We are super glad that the vendors were amazing - that is the whole purpose of the tour, to highlight them!
With that said, this is a perfect example of not meeting expectations and from this experience I hope we can better communicate our expectations with our future guests. Thank you again for sharing your experience!