Vancouver, first time
 

OK, OK, it's not Vancouver, seems it's Richmond. We are
there four days only. What to do? We live in Japan but we
need to shop for things we can't get here. So,Costco is
a destination. You get the drift, this is not a regular tourist
post. We need food we can't get here or at least not at
reasonable prices, cheese, coffee, everything actually,
even rice. I need clothing, sizes I cannot get in Japan.
And I would really love some good Western food again,
a fattening pizza would be great, but a Souplantation
soup and salad bar type restaurant would be great, too.
Fresh seafood at ( not japanese ) reasonable prices would
just about be perfect. So, as I said, four days....Help!
I will stay at the Richmond ( Vancouver Airport ) HI.

Please continue the discussion in the Canada forum. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
Travelbuzz moderator

HI as in Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn? Both are actually not too far a walk from Costco (within 5 minutes). You'll find Richmond is very asian (or rather more specifically, Chinese) thus food and shopping seems to reflect that. You can find the normal N. American chain junk/fast foods but most of the other individual restaurants will most likely be asian. You can get "western" seafood (think deep-fried) down in Steveston (SW corner of the 'burb). Chinese seafood can be found virtually anywhere. Finer non-Asian dining will be found in Vancouver proper otherwise. As far as women's clothes go, it seems anything bigger than size 6 in Richmond is huge. Not sure if it's the same for men but there are "big 'n tall" stores if that's what you need.

It will be the Holiday Inn. And the wife is size 0, so that would not be
a problem. But I am quite comfortable in XL, a size I cannot get in
Japan, certainly not in my neck of the woods. And please no fried
seafood.

Your wife and you can shop happily for clothes at Richmond Centre in that case: XL for men shouldn't be a problem in Richmond. Most of the better non-Asian restaurants in the great Vancouver area just happen to be in Vancouver. I'd avoid the Boathouse (it's a chain) and would recommend, if you want to track across the north arm of the Fraser, Aurora Bistro (Main/Broadway), Cannery (NE corner of town) and even C (spendy though). Fish House is o.k. but service can be awful. For smaller budgets, there's a Fish Cafe (or Fish & Company). Original branch is in Kerrisdale (2053 West 41st Avenue/West Boulevard) and there's another location in Kitsilano (new location of 1629 Yew Street - 4th Avenue one is old). Can't think of anywhere for good western seafood in Richmond.

I was at Hamilton Street Grill last night and the ahi tuna appetiser was excellent as usual.

If you are adventurous, you might want to have a look at the two T&T supermarkets (in adjacent malls). One is located where the Radisson hotel is and the other right next door at the Yaohan (possible blast from Japan's past) plaza. The other option would be Superstore on No. 3 Road which generally has the best everyday low prices.

Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but keep in mind you need a membership to shop at Costco: http://www.costco.ca/Home.aspx

I appreciate this reminder, and yes of course we are Costco members
for more years than we would like to remember. But now that you bring
it up, and I could probably look it up myself, is there a Sam's Club in
town, or even a Walmart? Are any of the U.S. discounters like Ross
or Marshalls up there?

I know the T&T supermarkets from L.A., and yes the Yaohan, long gone bankrupt, seems to stay alive in one form or another. I live in the woods
here in Japan and I have a Yaohan some 10 miles away from me. No idea
how they survived, certainly they cannot be part of a chain anymore. As for everything in your post rest assured that I have printed it out and intend to make good use of it. Should you ever come out to Shimoimaichi I would be
glad to show you around. Although I doubt you find us on a map. Thanks!

There are Walmarts but the nearest one is quite a ways away in Annacis Island (take the highway 10? east-west connector which starts as Alderbridge Way) towards New Westminster). Don't bother going out there during the afternoon rush hour. No Sam's Clubs in Canada within 2,000 miles but they're south of the line.

No Marshalls or Ross up here either. Closest to it is Winners (TJ Maxx clone that TJ Maxx purchased a few years back) in Lansdowne Mall. You can find all the U.S. chains down in Bellingham (75 Km away).

No entry into the U.S., so Bellingham is out. But we will
certainly try the Winner! Thanks again for all this information.
Where else but on FT? What a great community!

>is there a Sam's Club in town

No.

>or even a Walmart?

Yes, the nearest one is here: http://tinyurl.com/3deyo8

>Are any of the U.S. discounters like Ross
>or Marshalls up there?

No, but we do have a variation called "Winners."

http://www.winners.ca/

Winners - Richmond
Landsdowne Park
5300 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC V6X 2X9
Phone: 604-279-9466

when are you coming?

If skytrain finishes, you can go to Metrotown or even Downtown?

Apr 24-29 are the dates. Based on all your info I got a lot
of things to do already and I also want to go to the museum
of anthropology. So, thanks to all of you for all your help,
I appreciate it. Looking forward to Canada!

I think most of the good info has been provided but I'll throw out a few...

If you make it to Steveston, try Steveston Pizza. They've got some interesting toppings. However, I don't think they sell by the slice anymore. Probably my favorite pizza in town.

If you make it to Granville Island, just off of it, west along the seawall, there's a "shack/trailer" called Go Fish! in False Creek Harbour area. Yes, the do fish and chips but they also do excellent grilled fish tacos and sandwiches. It's not exactly just another greasy spoon as it's the side creation of the owners of a set of fairly successful tapas restaurants.

Just to add on Fish Cafe... I haven't been to it in about a year but it's definitely one of my preferred value fish places. Could be an option on route between UBC and Richmond if you visit the museum of anthropology.
I probably wouldn't recommend the Cannery because it's probably be too confusing for you to get to.

Mountain Equipment Co-op on Broadway might be an interesting place for you to visit. Maybe check out their website www.mec.ca first.

In an interesting twist one of the neighbors asked me to bring back
a six pack Canadian beer. He said I need to go to a Government
liquor store. Is that true? Are they all over?

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.

Agreed. Those are some long blocks to walk and can suck in the cold and/or rain. If you got a lot of luggage it can be a real pain to take the bus, but for getting around to explore it maybe useful. Oh, and the C20 bus around the UBC campus is a rare find :-P

Are you staying at Gage Residences? I'm assuming you're coming to attend an on-campus workshop and that's typically where UBC Housing puts up visitors. If so, the bus is an option as Gage is only about a 2-3 minute walk from the main bus terminal.

If you're coming for a week, though, you'll probably have a fair bit of luggage and taking 3 buses is a bit too much. A cab will run you about $25-$27 - I work on campus and frequently head directly there after flying in from a business trip and it's never cost much.

If you have any questions about what to do/where to eat/shop on campus I'd be happy to answer them. Definitely get in downtown for as many visits as you can though, and don't forget to explore Kitsilano too :)

I just arrived back in Tokyo from my trip to Vancouver. Canada is great and we had a blast. Lots of shopping, lots of good eating. Beer was outrageously
expensive, but I loaded up on tons of goodies. It will feel like Christmas when we come home. Sunday we took the car up to Whistler, what a beautiful scenery. Thanks to all of you for your help. We have great memories.

As a Vancouverite, I often hear this and it surprises me. I suppose a six-pack is expensive, but it seems to me a pint at a pub is about the same price I've paid in many other places, if not less - London, Seattle, Denver, New York, Belize... etc.

The price of beer is government controlled in nearly all of Canada.

Bottle beers seem to be expensive in bars. Draught is similar to UK price.

Tinnies in liquor stores are a bit more than UK.

Foreign beers are expensive.

Some of the micro brewery stuff is good.

Doesn't everyone in Vancouver drink Canadian anyway???

Off to sample the local produce again on 4th July via BA0085 in WT+ on a redemption trip :D although the 2000 mile driving itinerary might reduce the beer consumption as 'her indoors' doesn't 'do' driving abroad...

Due to advertising and other forms of marketing, Budweiser is gaining a lot of traction. :rolleyes:

I often will if I'm just having a couple of beers with the boys. It's often the special at my local watering hole, with a sleeve going for $4.50 CAD.