Tattourism

For vacation memories that last, travelers think ink

by Todd A. Vines - THE GARDEN ISLAND
Posted: Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 - 10:48:01 pm HST

Russ and Adriene Partanen are like thousands of thirty-something couples who visit Kaua‘i each year. They came for the snorkeling, sunshine and tropical setting, but the Sacramento, Calif. couple left with more than a suntan and mai tai memories. Russ, a claims adjuster, now sports a red and black Hawaiian fish hook tattoo on his calf. Adriene, a finance manager, now wears a wave, sun and honu, or turtle, on her back.

“We’ve wanted to get island-themed tattoos for a long time,” Adriene said. “Why not get them done on an island?”

The Partanens are among a growing group of travelers who chose to get their body art done abroad. These “tattourists” say that it’s the perfect souvenir to mark their trip.

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