More wanderings about Vancouver

[giftederic]

So, yesterday I found an upmarket grocery store, the likes of Mortons in Ranelagh or perhaps Donnybrook Fare. Canadians aren't remarkably overweight, but it is not because there isn't tons of fatty and sweet foods available. I'd say fully half the shop was given over to chocolate, bakery items, crisps & other snack foods. And there were some really interesting items in there, not least of which were select Cadburys items. There are Cadburys items made for the Canadian market (you can tell because of the disconcerting french on them), but these are generally Cadbury Dairy Milk with Peanut of Caramel. This store (and another specialist sweet store I came across) have british import chocolate, notably Crunchies, Frys Turkish Delight, Double Deckers & Picnics. All for the princely sum of around €1.50 each (Can$1.99 + GST).

Other things I spotted that reminded me I wasn't in Kansas anymore were:

Ice in the vegetables, like we present fish in supermarkets

A Spring Water Dispenser, that you had refillable drums for

Flowering Tea, yep tea plants that you place in a glass teapot, that flowers when you pour the hot water on it. (And I assume then dies)

Haagen Daas 'Choc Ices', I assume we don't have these because of the omnipresence of Magnums

Girardellis Hot Chocolate, which I have discovered is Ming but is worth mentioning because it comes in interesting flavours. (Hazelnut, Milk, Dark & Mint)

Almond Milk, there was an entire row of dairy replacement products, but this range was the one that stood out for me. Of course having such a large Asian population this makes alot of sense.

One of the big things that was missing were smoothies, in particular Innocent smoothies. There was nothing like 'em. Though I did discover a smoothie shop later in the day, which seemed to be a Greek all day breakfast shop.

Didn't end up buying alot because I have nowhere to put anything really, but I intend renting a travel apartment soon enough and then I will have a fridge and a microwave so I will be able to experiment... Speaking of which, I will finally be leaving hostel land on friday, and moving to the Howard Johnson Hotel on Granville St. Got it for €49/night on lastminute.com (was tempted by the Sheraton at only €93/night), which seems good for a *** hotel that got a special mention in the Vancouver Accomodation guide. The plan for April is to try and get a travel apartment, which will hopefully work out cheaper, and more interesting.

The day before involved wandering around Stanley Park (worlds largest city park apparently), watching Seaplanes land and take off and gaming in a games shop in South Vancouver (on the same street that I'm living on, only about 30 minutes drive and 7000 house numbers south)

My luggage did turn up...

Comments

[ulaire-daidoji.livejournal.com]

We have Haagen Daas 'Choc Ices' here. I'm pretty sure Cineworld sell them. Or sold them before Magnums became so omnipresent...

[saoili.livejournal.com]

I remember Stanley park, it was really nice. We rented bikes and followed a cycle path round it. It manages to appear downhill pretty much all the way.

[kaleandwine.livejournal.com]

I have to say how much I'm enjoying these updates -- this one especially. Most of the things you're describing are true/present here in the Bay Area, so... I suppose I'm learning about Ireland in the process. Quite cool. :)

flowering tea

[(Anonymous)]

I think that's a Chinese thing too,

F