Weird/Odd things you buy when travelling
#16
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Silver; 0.75MM: AA; Alaska; Southwest
Posts: 1,156
Whenever I go to Australia I always fill a spare suitcase with Tim Tams. Some I give as gifts when I return but most are for me. Usually 40-50 packages and double coat are my favorite. They last for months!
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
I like to look in grocery stores for sugar-free products and candies.
Earlier this year I found the most delicious s/f strawberry candies in the grocery store at El Corte Ingles in Madrid.
Earlier this year I found the most delicious s/f strawberry candies in the grocery store at El Corte Ingles in Madrid.
#19
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
Visitors from Hawaii in LAS say two stops are important:
1. Trader Joe's
2. Harbor Freight Tools
A manger at HFT's in LAS told me that 10% of their business comes from Hawaiians, at that location near the Orleans Hotel/Casino. Perhaps these stores should open locations in Hawaii.
On a recent trip to Tokyo I picked up about a dozen different types of Kit Kats. I forgot some of the flavors, so I looked it up.
The Green Tea and the Wasabi were very good. The folks at the office enjoyed.
1. Trader Joe's
2. Harbor Freight Tools
A manger at HFT's in LAS told me that 10% of their business comes from Hawaiians, at that location near the Orleans Hotel/Casino. Perhaps these stores should open locations in Hawaii.
On a recent trip to Tokyo I picked up about a dozen different types of Kit Kats. I forgot some of the flavors, so I looked it up.
Kit Kats come in a variety of flavours in Japan including many fruit flavours. There is Strawberry, Citrus Golden Blend, Pear, Shinshu Apple, Edamame Soybean, Purple Sweet Potato, Hot Japanese Chilli, Cinnamon Cookie, Strawberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Matcha-Green Tea, Hojicha Roasted Tea, Brown Sugar Syrup, Red Bean Sandwich and Wasabi.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498
Best wine I drank in Paris was a bordeaux purchased at a tiny grocer and enjoyed in our hotel room. The bottle cost less than a single glass of house wine at the bar. The savings was blown here: https://www.laduree.com/en_int/#
#21
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,613
Also a great fan of visiting grocers and supermarkets when travelling - even within the UK (would never have discovered the wonderful Booths supermarkets in the NW otherwise!)
I always go and stock up on salt liquorice when I'm in Denmark. And gifler kanel.
I always go and stock up on salt liquorice when I'm in Denmark. And gifler kanel.
#23
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,613
Oh yes, biscuits.
There's a great biscuit baking tradition in Hyderabad (which I often visit). The most famous is the Karachi bakery, but there better, smaller ones around, and some wonderful almond biscuits that I crave. (All the other things I crave when I go to Hyderabad just aren't transportable back...)
On a recent trip to Sri Lanka, we brought back loads of tea (even the bags are rather wonderful) and, once again, biscuits. Maliban and Munchee were our favourite makes...
There's a great biscuit baking tradition in Hyderabad (which I often visit). The most famous is the Karachi bakery, but there better, smaller ones around, and some wonderful almond biscuits that I crave. (All the other things I crave when I go to Hyderabad just aren't transportable back...)
On a recent trip to Sri Lanka, we brought back loads of tea (even the bags are rather wonderful) and, once again, biscuits. Maliban and Munchee were our favourite makes...
#24
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London-etc
Posts: 3,893
Is that tomato puree??
Just came back for the first time from Oz and brought 8 packages which my wife thought was a lot. Have you tried the salty caramel one? How do you fit 50 of them, had an extra bag with my 8. They sell Tim Tams here in London but think they cost slightly more.
From US I like to by Twizzlers.
From US I like to by Twizzlers.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
Is that tomato puree??
Just came back for the first time from Oz and brought 8 packages which my wife thought was a lot. Have you tried the salty caramel one? How do you fit 50 of them, had an extra bag with my 8. They sell Tim Tams here in London but think they cost slightly more.
From US I like to by Twizzlers.
Just came back for the first time from Oz and brought 8 packages which my wife thought was a lot. Have you tried the salty caramel one? How do you fit 50 of them, had an extra bag with my 8. They sell Tim Tams here in London but think they cost slightly more.
From US I like to by Twizzlers.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
This is ridiculously high on my to-do list next month in Japan!
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
I love visiting grocery stores abroad - and back in the UK where it is mainly a stock-up trip (teabags, make-with-water hot chocolate sachets, quorn products (although they get eaten in the country), herbs and spices it is hard to get here, including dried basil, which has a totally different flavor, biscuits, crisps, etc.)
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
Definitely love going to grocery stores when overseas. I buy shampoo and conditioner as I like trying products while on my trip that I cannot get in the US.
At every grocery store I've been to in Europe, the cashiers are always seated. That's the way it should be.
At every grocery store I've been to in Europe, the cashiers are always seated. That's the way it should be.