You don't strictly have to get to a government liquor store. There are private ones and (usually seedier) hotels have been allowed off-premise sales for many years - none in supermarkets and groceries though. There is a government liquor store on 41st nearer East Boulevard (near the original Fish Cafe) but the biggest one with most selection is on Cambie and approx. W. 41st.

Use this for a store finder: http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/sto...Lower+Mainland

No you can go to a beer and wine stores. If there is a specific brand you want, you may need to go to the Government store. The LCB is generally cheaper than the beer and wines stores.

Curious, which brand does your neighbor want from Canada?

He is talking Moosehead or Labatt's Blue.

LCB means Liquor Control board, ergo Government store ( BC
Liquorstores )? Don't want to get confused. I am not used to
this setup. The "Beer and Wine" stores, you say, are more
expensive?

Beer & Wine stores
 

The beer and wines stores are a few dollars more, but are very convenient. I hope the weather clears up before you get here.

From what I see, beer costs a fortune in Canada. But that's
his problem, oh no, actually mine, since I will gift it to him.
As far as weather, it will be alright. I don't expect Hawaiian
temps. I look forward to Canada regardless of weather
conditions. Trip will be short, too shot. But if things work
out alright, we plan to visit more often.

Labatts Blue? That is nostelgic name I haven't thought of in a long time.

Basically, the beer and wine stores buys their product from the BC Liquor Stores and sells them usually with their markup in convienent locations and convienent times.

But if you are buying only a six pack, it wouldn't really make a difference at all except the beer would be cold. It would cause condensation in your luggage if you pack cold beer

Don't forget beauty and bath products for your wife. They are much less expensive in Vancouver than in Japan. When I was stocking up on LUSH products in Vancouver, there were Japanese women in the same store buying LUSH and other brands by the box full. They said they were taking them home to give as gifts and to use themselves.

COSTCO has some higher end beauty and bath products but the quantities are often generous. This may be a problem for getting them packed and home. COSTCO also has very good luggage!

There are 2 Holiday Inn in Richmond. One is Holiday Inn Express on Bridgeport Road closer to the airport and next to COSTCO. The other is Holiday Inn on Cambie Road, farther from the airport.

Funny that you mention this. For optimal points accrual I will be staying
at both, albeit not at the same time;)

How easy is it to get from Vancouver Airport to the main campus of UBC? I am staying there for a week at the end of May.

Is teher and airport shuttle that would take me there. If not how much would a cab be?

We're hijacking a thread here - this would be better as a new one. But here's a brief answer.
You can get to UBC by transit buses with one change (free transfer) and the fare is a few dollars. It's pleasant unless you have a lot of luggage. It takes about 45 minutes and you can get the routing for your trip from the vancouver transit site. It's a long cab ride - my guess is around $40. There is no shuttle. I've rented cars because UBC is so isolated. If you're there for a week, parking could be an issue. So get to know the transit system. There is a bus terminal at the campus.

You'll be there a month or so after the regular school year is over. There is a bus from Richmond to Vancouver but I am not sure if runs when the regular school year is out. There are several ways to get from YVR to UBC by bus but the most reliable would seem to be:

Bus from the domestic terminal lower level to the Airport Station transfer point, transfer 98 towards Vancouver and either: disembark at 41st Avenue for the 41 (or 43) bus to UBC, at 25th Avenue (King Edward) for the 25 bus towards same, or at Broadway for the 99, 17 or 9 bus (make sure it says UBC on it). You have to cross Granville to go to the west bound bus stop.

Fare is $3.75 (or so) on weekdays before 630 or $2.50 on weekends.

I'd say taxi runs $25-30 exc. tip or so depending on traffic..

For transit schedules, see www.translink.bc.ca

IIRC, the bus to from the airport to the transfer station is the 424.

Just to add onto that; having taken both the 17 and 99, try to catch the 99 if you can. It's an express bus and make the trip out there a lot faster! It also seemed to come by more frequently. Granted this is based on two days experience in March, that's my $0.02. Oh and the 98 should continue onto Richmond.

If you think you'll be bussing a lot, I strongly encourage getting a day pass. They're $9 for one day (not 24 hrs, but a day regardless of start time) which is great since its $3+ each way from YVR/Richmond to UBC. Also, they do 3 door loading on the 98 and 99, so if you have a transfer, monthly pass, or day pass, just enter through the middle or rear door of the bus.

The one caution I'll give regarding the transit tips given here is, depending on where you're staying, it can be a LONG walk from the bus loop to the campus accomodations.

A taxi will probably be in the vicinity of $40.