Monthly Archives: July 2014

Britannia Museum in Squamish

idearabbit-britiannamuseum9Yay! Trip to the mountains :)

We got our tickets for the noon tour. It was partly sunny, but the winds were bone-chilling. I knew from their website to dress warmly as the tour would be taking place inside the mine where it was going to be dark, cold and damp. I suggested to my friend to get his coat that he left in the car. I’m sure he was glad he did.

The actual tour seemed a bit short for $25 (compared to the Underground Tour in Seattle), though it was neat to see everything. The rest is self guided, and there is a gold panning area where kids and adults can try and pan out some gold. Sheepie got so into it that he spent so much time freezing his hands off to get some gems and gold looking stones while his friend and I went to the cafe to have some hot tea and coffee with chips. The cafe isn’t really a real cafe. Something you’d expect out in the middle of nowhere…with simple table and chairs set up, and a few snacks with coffee brewing in the coffee pot. Very simple and low key. But the tea is nice to warm up with! And for those that doesn’t want to freeze their hands off panning, you can buy the gems in the souvenir shop :P

idearabbit-britiannamuseum7Mockup Model

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The real thing idearabbit-britiannamuseum5

Our tour guideidearabbit-britiannamuseum4

Little train we ride to get deep into the mineidearabbit-britiannamuseum6

So, with the actual guided tour part, you ride on a small train into the mines. The guide will show how they use to mine with facts that made the Britianna Mine so special and important back then. The train may be fun, but for the rest, it may not be suitable for infants. The machines are super loud as the guide turns them on to demonstrate how they used to dig back then. The little ones on our tour got scared or were restless as they got bored.

Overall, it’s a nice half day trip to Squamish from Vancouver. It’s a nice museum, but $25 for admission is pretty expensive. Students get discount, so don’t forget to bring your student ID if you are one!

Curry Express in Metrotown

Curry Express on Urbanspoon

I love Indian curry! and when I go to the mall, most often, I’d eat curry. Curry Express is located at many malls. The one at Metrotown is alright. Service is usually good. Portion is fair. Seats can be found most of the time, though depending on the cleaning rounds, you may find only dirty tables.

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There are a variety of choices, but I always go for my favourite – butter chicken with rice. $5.60 Sure, it’s obviously not the best curry – but for fast food, I think it’s pretty decent.

In comparison to other Curry Express:

  • Do not eat at the one in International Village Mall (also known as Tinseltown mall). The food there is old (doesn’t take good – blah), small portions and although the food court is empty, it’s a bit depressing there.
  • The Oakridge Mall one is the best for food. The older woman is rude and terrible, but the girl who serves the dishes usually gives a lot on the plate.

 Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrotcarrot

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrot   Service:  carrotcarrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot

Da Claudio in Nuremberg, Germany

Hauptmarkt 16, 90403 Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany

idearabbit-burkhof idearabbit-burkhof2
Situated in the busy Hauptmarkt where the famous Christmas Market is held each year, the sat on the second floor of the Da Claudio restaurant, sitting by the window where we could look out into the square. The first floor was a bit more fancy, later learning that it was an Italian fine dining restaurant. It was full and very busy, so we were glad we had the half full upstairs with the peace and quiet.

We had a latte and piece of cake. Since Sheepie spoke German with the servers, I am not sure how well their English would be. I’m guessing that since it was by a heavy touristy attraction area that they would be able to understand the basics.

As with most coffee/dessert related things in Germany, they are really good! I wasn’t paying attention with the prices so can’t recall the cost. The place is clean, bright atmosphere with comfortable seating.

 Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: N/A

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot   Service:  carrotcarrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot