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Hit up the PNE because H’s mum wanted to check it out. I used to work here, and I never really understood the appeal of paying to go, but it was actually pretty interesting. There were a lot of really cool booths and sad looking farm animals. Another reason I didn’t mind was 'cause I wanted to try out some of the food options.There were some appealing options, and I went with the Praguery food truck:
The Praguery

Look how happy I am with my ice cream and delicious chewy cone:

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I had the chocolate flavour, which came with a cute piece of chocolate on the top and a good slather of nutella in the cone. I do question whether this was worth $10, but hey, I was there already and I was hungry. Satisfied my sweet tooth, and the fresh chewy cone!!!! I would love to have these again.

H’s mum had the corn from the Corn Castle, and she said this was really sweet. I’m not really a corn on the cob type of girl, so I didn’t try it:

Corn Castle

I also made a couple of impulse buys at the Fair. Sometimes, when I’m with H, I get suckered into things that are really gimmicky, but in the moment, I’m just convinced it will be useful. He’s a bit of an enabler. More on this later. Goodnight.
Tried to find a waterfall, got lost and didn’t really have enough gas (probably because Mercury is still retrograding hard), so we tried to save the day with a walk around a few lakes and good coffee at Galileo Coffee:

Galileo Coffee

I was pleasantly surprised by the cute heart on top of my latte and the strength of their coffee beans. I knew I needed some extra energy because I was heading to the Monstercat Compound after the hike, and I was already drained. B and A both liked their coffee enough to buy some freshly roasted beans. The baked goods looked decent, but I didn’t go for it, because I’m really trying to save up. This seems like a great spot to start off any trip north along the Sea to Sky. I’ll be back.
Galileo Coffee Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Here are a few shots from Sparkle the Drone at Stump Lake, one of the four lakes along the trails at Alice Lake:

Stump Lake at Alice Lake

Stump Lake at Alice Lake

Easy trails, relaxing views.

Also, we’ve found a pineapple floaty. Let the floating will begin.

From the top of the mountain, I’m still looking for ways to go higher. That’s why I got a drone.

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Disclaimer: A took this photo

After our exhilarating hike up to Brunswick Mountain, we went to Hoang Yen for some of their infamous fish cake soup:

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Found a post back from 2014 on the Chowtime website (I used to love reading the food adventures of Ben and Suanne from Chowtimes back in university!) that mentioned the line ups in front of this place. Even now, 2017, the same line ups and crowds. I quite liked their noodles, and it wasn’t just because I was starving. I think it would actually have been better if I weren’t just coming off a hike, dehydrated and too tired to eat. The soup was slightly sweet, with a strong dill flavour. If you don’t like dill, don’t order this. I will be back to try more of their dishes. For around $10, this was a satisfying meal for both my tummy and my wallet.

Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Speaking of going back, I know  I said I wouldn’t go back to Brunswick Mountain for another 3 or 4 years, but now, looking at the pictures… WOW.

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This was a painfully steep hike, with a perilous ledge to cross in order to arrive at the summit, which is just a ledge. Very glad it wasn’t windy last Sunday when we went. This was a real test of cardio, because 85% of the way up was at least a 45 degree angle. Then there was the loose rock and scree to scramble up and over. I really regretted not bringing more water and less drone, but hey, B, A, and I made it and we're looking for our next adventure...

Keep climbing!
H and I went shopping early on Saturday morning (Patagonia sale = $10 base layer originally priced at $35), and by the time we were done, it was time to meet up with C and S for brunch at Olive + Ruby:

Olive + Ruby

After an excruciatingly long wait in line to order and another painful moment of waiting at our table for food, I had the latte and the grilled cheese apple sandwich, with a glass of water (see photo above). The sandwich was quite crispy, and despite looking not the most appetizing, it was not the worse. I mean, how badly can you mess up bread and cheese? There was some tomato sauce/paste that I didn’t think really added to the sandwich in any way… The latte was strong, using beans roasted by Pallet, a reliable roaster, but there was no latte art. Disappointing. H also had a peanut butter smoothie, which again, I did not like. Perhaps it tasted too healthy. Perhaps it was just my tastebuds because H enjoyed it. All in all, the place has a nice atmosphere because of their wall decor of plants and their pendulum seats, but I wouldn’t come again.

Olive & Ruby Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

This weekend was quite packed with activities, and I’m a bit late with this post because H didn’t get enough hugs (ie, he wanted me to hang out longer). There will be a part 2 because I ate a lot on Sunday too, and I have more thoughts and feelings to express.
Dinner with H and some of his mum’s friends the other night at Suhang Restaurant, close to Pricesmart in Richmond. I was too hungry and got too excited by the food to take photos, but luckily snapped this one of the meat buns:

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A glimpse of the dish with egg whites is on my dirty plate in the bottom left corner. Usually, the egg whites and broccoli dish comes with seafood, but we held off on that for the vegetarians. Even without meat, it was delicious! A few other places do this dish, but this is the best one I’ve tried so far because the egg whites were just so smooth.

Suhang Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

I’m glad I have easy access to good hearty meals like the above. Sometimes, I think about all the folks who don’t get 3 full meals a day (let alone free lunch with snacks in between, sponsored by my workplace). Also, I think about the folks who don’t have views like this within a 30 minute drive from home (basically my backyard):

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Hopefully I can keep documenting these moments on this platform for the next few years to come.

It’s been busy and I needed a beer, so we went to the Slocan

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Above photo shows a plate of the cheesy fries and my Fat Tug IPA. They didn’t have any stouts at the time, most places don’t during summer I guess, and I settled for this instead. The fries were not the crispiest, but the abundance of cheese, sourcream, and small bits of bacon made up for it. I am interested in seeing what else they have, but maybe I’ll come back in the winter when they have stouts.

The Slocan Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


This weekend is certainly a slow one, leaving me too much time to think about the future. Trying to keep the glass half full can be tough sometimes, but talking with the right people will get the glass filled up again.

I am feeling that outdoors hike/travel itch! The air is clearing from the Lower Mainland, so maybe its time to hit the trails. I want that feeling of “now you’re here, now you’re awake”, as my yoga instructor today was saying.
Ending this long weekend with a coffee at Revolver:

revolver

Beautiful coffee shop with plenty of space to read and work, chat and catch up. Their large selection of coffees and espressos satisfies every coffee drinker. The baristas really know their stuff! I was pretty intimidated by the choice, so I asked for help to choose from their extensive list of beans for my macchiato. Although I can’t remember which roast it was, except that it had dark chocolate and berry notes, I think it might’ve been one of my favorites.

Revolver Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

R and B were there, doing their work, so I had time to finish No Is Not Enough by Naomi Klein. Good ideas about the Trump situation down south.

Back tracking one day, MANNA had their wedding out at Westwood:

manna

It’s peaceful, out of the way from traffic. There were quite a few friends that I hadn’t seen in a while, it really is too bad that we only catch up at weddings.

Backing up more, H and I were at S's house for board games and dinner.

Why don’t I see these people more often? Coffee date at Revolver next week, friends?
The first few days of this week were painfully busy. I could have really used one of these Matcha Milk Teas with the best pearls from Gong Cha:

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H and I went to the one in Richmond, it’s a bit hard to find, because it’s in the middle of a row of shops with a small tucked away sign. This was my first time at Gong Cha, and compared to a lot of other bubble tea places, I’d have to say this is one of the best, probably my favourite for pearls. The pearls were such a good consistency, just the right amount of chewiness and a good diameter. If only it was along my usual routes…

Gong Cha Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

So much shit at work. Literally. J the TAM brought in some plastic pieces of fake shit, as a reminder for C to cut the shit. They were quite realistic looking. I actually cringed and jumped back a bit when I saw it on my desk. It was so gross that I couldn’t bear to take a photo, because I’d know it would be on my phone.