Six Frugal Things -- Day Four in Vancouver
1) My husband and I have been spending entirely too much time in the car, so we decided to spend a day going to "things we can walk to." Luckily our hotel is centrally located and we're able bodied enough to hoof it throughout Vancouver.
Our first stop was the Gastown district, where we happened upon the their famous steam clock at the hour, where it tooted and whistled to the delight of the assembled crowd.
Not crowded was this photo booth, which we had no choice but to visit. I joked that an easy way to lure me to my death would be this precise sign.
It was modern, but I appreciate the vintage style graphics. I try to dedicate my vacation dollars to experiences instead of Stuff but photo booths are the exception.
We splurged on donuts -- I picked a "maple crunch," because when in Canada you're legally required to choose maple flavored treats. At least that's what they told us at the border crossing.
You can see a cruise ship in the background of the donut photo, which likely explains the clock's adoring crowd.
Chose not to take a "Self guided walking tour to hell."
2) I read online that the Vancouver Central Library branch had a ninth floor patio with excellent views. Umm . . . say less!
This was the view.
The library itself was pretty great -- lots of work/study stations, as well as artwork and even a board game section.
I stopped into their gift shop after my explorations to pick out a souvenir. Used books are also an exception to the Stuff rule.
I suppose that a "Good Morning America" book isn't the most traditional Canadian souvenir, but I did pay for it with a pair of "toonies," so . . . yes?
The cashier had to help me identify which coins to use.
3) We happened upon these community ping-pong tables on our walk back to the hotel and had to stop. It's been years since I played, but muscle memory quickly kicked in. My high school best friend had a table in her basement and she taught me to play.
Actually super fun, although my husband eventually dragged me away. I would've been happy to play for an hour or more!
4) Dinner was udon bowls at Marukame, which was also a walkable distance from the hotel. I chose a $14 bowl of Tan Tan Udon, with a side of $1.99 zucchini tempura. (My husband ordered curry.) It was as delicious as it looks in this photo.
5) Our final plan for the day was to go on an evening cycle through Stanley Park, we even rented a pair of bikes! Unfortunately my husband's bike was glitchy and by the time we fixed the issue, both of us were frustrated, sweaty and no longer had the energy for an hour long bike ride. (Yesterday was humid, as it has rained in the morning.) The styrofoam helmet didn't help.
We spent $14 to go two blocks. Oh well, at least my phone showed that we got 14,556 steps.
6) I invented a croissant lox sandwich from the random items in our breakfast buffet. I'd complained to my husband about the lack of bagels and finally had an ah hah moment that a croissant would make an ideal swap.
I may have gone heavy on the capers, but it was still spectacular. Kind of bummed that it took until my last day in Vancouver to configure this breakfast sandwich. Might have to recreate it in the future.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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Costco has great croissants and they freeze well (and thaw quickly) so you don’t have to eat all 12 at once.
Looks like super fun with great weather. I'd love to see the library. Enjoy your posts, you take lovely pictures!
I'm so glad you've been enjoying our beautiful city! Please do share the name of your hotel so your local readers can recommend it the next time someone asks for a good suggestion. Thank you, Katy.
I enjoyed my trip to Vancouver living vicariously through your pictures and descriptions. When is our next trip?
I'm going on 2 virtual vacations this week. One is your Vancouver visit. The other is reading "Andy Capp" online. He and Flo are at the seashore for their "holiday" this week. Of course, it is only a comic strip, but Andy Capp is up to his usual mischief.
Your vacation is my ideal kind of vacation: museums, walks, some nature, and yummy food!
I've been processing a few things out of my small container garden: some bell peppers, a few green beans, and some hot peppers. Funny thing is I didn't intentionally buy any hot peppers. Apparently the plant I bought was mislabeled at the garden store. Google told me it was a (mild) banana pepper so my husband crunched right into it. He only had the one bite because it was HOT and a second Google image search said "Or it might be a Hungarian wax pepper." lol I chopped those and froze them separately from the bell peppers and will use sparingly in recipes that call for jalapeños.
Last night we went to a vegan restaurant. I had a $5 off rewards coupon and we decided just to get one entrée (quinoa/black bean nachos with cashew cheese, pico and guac-so good) and one cupcake to share, and both had the free water/tea.
After that we went to see the Spiderman movie, where I paid cash and got .50 off each ticket, making them $9 each. No popcorn as we were full from dinner.
I used my $5 off coupon at Petsmart and another one printed out that I will use within the next month. I went for dog food toppers for our newly-picky senior pup and hit up the clearance section while I was there and found some treats my cats like.
That croissant sandwich would have made it into my travel baggie and I would have eaten it for lunch! YUMMO.
And your meal looks deeeeelish. I'm 'just' a ferry ride away however Vancouver is a whole 'nother country, as far as how often I get there. The Chinatown in Victoria is small and more expensive, although they also have tasty food.
bummer about the bikes, though - I really wanted to hear your take on Stanley Park. I hope you can arrange a refund, because $14 CDN is about $2 US, isn't it, these days (sigh).
You do know that toonies are called that because the first big coin we got, the $1 coin, had a loon on it and quickly became called a Loonie. 'Loonie' is equivalent to 'buck' and is just a regular word in Canadian.
When we got the $2 coin, I was hoping we would call it a 'doubloon', but 'toonie' won. Also a regular word in Canadian.
Like Nickel or dime, (5 and 10 cents) the history behind the nicknames is so interesting!
Ecoteri - do you live in Victoria? My favorite vacation spot for many years. Just love it!
We lived across the water on Fidalgo Island for three years. They had a ferry that went straight to Victoria and I was so excited about it. But then during Covid it was shut down and I don’t know if it started up again.
My girlfriends and I were regular customers at photo booths in our teen years. We were launching our modeling careers, doncha know. I was blissfully unaware that I was way too short to even think about it! Among other things! But it was so much fun.
I love anything maple-flavored. I would fit in well in Canada.
It's another misty, rainy day for us, but at least we didn't get the predicted storms. At least not yet. I stayed home and did laundry.
I finished the bread pudding for breakfast, and made a strawberry smoothie for lunch, using up strawberries, yogurt, and half & half. Dinner will be enchilada casserole from the freezer.
I watched all of Ted Lasso that I could -- apparently Season 4 is rolling out one episode at a time. Now I'm watching Silo before I cancel my free trial.
Not short - vertically challenged.
Indeed!
I was in Vancouver 16 years ago (after they had hosted the Winter Olympics), and I am enjoying your travelogue very much.
1. Received a jar of maple syrup (aka liquid gold) from friends who go through all the work from their small suburban lot.
2. Someone requested a hair clipper set on Buy Nothing and I gave her ours that wasn't being used.
3. Picked up 14 more hostas from my Buy Nothing group. Used the gardening gloves and plastic bags that I keep in my car for this purpose.
4. Also received gourmet mustard from Buy Nothing.
5. Visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica that came to town. Very emotional. Made a donation.
So many excellent explorations on this little vacay! That clock tower is beyond fascinating! I've never heard of a steam powered clock tower like that before. How very cool to get to see it go off like that!
Too heavy on the capers? What does that mean?
1) Canceled the streaming deals that expire at the end of the month now to avoid the very likely adhd tax and accepted an extension from one. We'll watch until they're done.
2) Focused grocery shopping last night - it's B1G2 chicken parts, so I stocked up on wings and thighs, picked up a few loss leaders and hit the clearance shelf, picking up my son's favorite coffee for $4.50/12 oz, lightly dented diced organic tomatoes for .33, and my favorite fancy margarita mix half-price. The only full-price item was milk.
3) We're in the mood for junky takeout, so I'm making Buffalo wings and fries, all from sale stuff, about $2 per generous plate and relatively little work.
4) Husband helped son's housemate buy a used car. Fingers crossed! It only needs to last eight months to beat a lease, and probably will despite the high mileage, as a Subaru in good mechanical condition. I'm running out to drop off a spendy mobility device to a neighbor to borrow during her recovery.
5) I didn't save money on a press secretary's salary by putting her and her newborn's life at risk.
I think she means there were too many capers on the dish and it was too salty. If you are not familiar with capers, they are very salty and flavorful berry-like buds that are used as condiments.
I think the caper comment was sarcastic. I had the same thought. Can there really be too many capers, especially on lox? I think not.
I made tomato sauce with a bunch of past their prime/cracked tomatoes. Made 4 pints.
While I had the oven on to roast the tomatoes (above), I baked gluten free granola and warmed my leftover homemade pizza. Very satisfying.
Sold an item on fb marketplace.
Took my mother for her blood draw and got mine done at the same time. She treated me to lunch and ice cream.
Used rainwater from our barrels to deep water the garden.
So we're clear: you can never go too heavy on the capers.
Noted!
Safe travels, Katy and Mr. NCA.
I went to a hyped swanky country club community garage sale. It was too crowded, my mom's cousin lives there, she didn't remember them so we begged off after walking 15k+ steps. I bought a sheepskin spider web catcher, a full gallon of bleach, a gallon of ammonia and two ceramic House plant pots all 2 bits each. I also picked up an 8 pack of slate coasters for the outdoor dining table. Afterwards I drove around the countryside along the back roads homeward bound. Picked a couple of ears of corn, made a tomato, cucumber, sweet onion and just barely red pepper salad. Local musk melon for dessert.
Decided on peanut butter fudge topped brownies for family dinner tonight. Will make a batch of vanilla custard gelato for those that neeeed more dessert.
I'm loving your Vancouver travelogue! I haven't been there since my roommate and I went during spring break back in the '80s. I think we spent a very rainy night camped in the car in Stanley Park. Had an incredible time at the UBC museum. I distinctly remember giant totem poles.
There is no such thing as too many capers. Another good sub for a bagel is Trader Joe's garlic flatbread (naan). Shmear with cream cheese, add your lox, sprinkle with a little pepper, top liberally with capers. I'm pretty sure nearly every bread product is just a delivery vehicle for cream cheese, lox, and capers.
Looks like a great Vancouver trip! Would you mind if I asked what hotel you stayed at? I'd love to visit someday.....