Richmond to Maple Ridge, British Columbia

On the way to Vancouver airport, I had a transit at Calgary, Alberta. Ohmygod it is snowy there??? I want the snow in Canada. Okay, whatever it is, this will be a good reason to come again to Canada and this time I will make sure I will be there during Winter, how cold it is, no one can stop me.

Once I reached Vancouver airport, I took a cab to Richmond's Enterprise Rent a Car to collect my Jeep Wrangler. It cost around CAN$18 for about 20 minutes ride. Funny. The staff said he tried calling to inform me that they do not have the jeep at Richmond’s outlet but there is one at the airport. Great! As for replacement, he suggested other cars such as Hyundai SUV (which is too big) and a big luxury car which looks like the Bentley. If I drive this car it will make me look like I am the driver instead of the boss.

Also guess what, they have a Dodge Charger!! Acting like a teenager who do not know anything, I was like "Can you show me how it looks like?" I know how it looks like. I did my research but you know I need to act like as if I am disappointed before I said "Yes, this is a great replacement". This was the car I wanna try apart from the Jeep. I had test drive the smaller version of Jeep Wrangler in Singapore years ago which I find okay but I was curious to check out the larger version of it in other countries. Jeep Wrangler = Tomb Raider = Angelina Jolie.

Anyway, they replaced my dream car to my fantasy car, Dodge Charger. Tell me who will reject it? The only part I worried initially was the left hand driving. This is my first time. Before I decide to drive in B.C, I have been watching YouTube videos of you-tubers driving cars in USA and Canada. Basically, I imagine myself in a simulation, left-hand driving. But luckily it was not that difficult to get used to it. Only that this car, the front section is quite long which I need to get used to it first to gauge at narrow turns. 

Right after that, I went to the nearest supermarket to shop for drinks and snacks since the place I am going to stay is faraway. I did some research of the Richmond area beforehand and roughly knows the place, but I ended up in a different supermarket as previously planned. T&T Supermarket is a huge mart with many range of Asian spices mostly Chinese and Korean. You can find mostly everything here. And on top of that, their staffs are friendly and open to lend you a hand.

Richmond buildings and roads are well-placed, clean and systematic, so no worries if you lost your way. The GPS directions are reliable. Right after my snacks shopping, I went to find a halal Chinese food for my lunch + dinner as it is already near to four now. I am craving Chinese food since two days ago. As suggested by Google, there is this huge Chinese restaurant nearby, Beijiang Restaurant. This was initially my second choice since the first one is closed at that time. I was the only customer. The Claypot Oxtail cooked in soya sauce and seafood fried rice are appetizing. Surprisingly, even though it is served in a big portion for probably two persons, I can finished the Claypot Oxtail. Decided to pack the leftover fried rice for my dinner later or tomorrow's. 

It took about two hours to drive from Richmond to the AirBnb at Maple Ridge. I have been looking forward for this final stop because the place is away from the city and in nature. It is a house where the owner stays upstairs.

Worth the drive as it is in nature and near the Golden Ears Provincial Park. The place is such a beauty, huge with movie room, sauna in the shower, paintings by the landlord who is an artist, very quiet, cooling and the landlord is generous in terms of providing snacks and drinks. I didn’t eat so much of what she has there since I already purchased snacks way beforehand. 

​Well, I realized that the place I am staying is actually not that far from Walmart Supercentre where I bought a travel bag, Taylor Swift's Lover Deluxe album, Ellen DeGeneres' merchandise, fruits and more snacks. There are other shops and amenities near the area. The only thing is that you have to drive to stay in Maple Ridge. It is quite far if you plan to walk. I don't see any buses and trains. If you plan to stay here, rent a car.