Some cruise days are about the big organized excursion, the tour bus and the sticker on your shirt. Others are about stepping off the ship, picking a neighborhood and eating your way through it. The creators behind the YouTube channel Bill & Lisa’s Food and Travel went with the second kind for a stop on their cruise, and the result is a tasty little roadmap for anyone who plans a vacation around their stomach.
Their first move was the simplest one. They took a taxi from the ship to Chinatown, and they called the ride “very easy.” No shuttle schedule, no bus tour, no group to keep up with. Just a short ride and a day of snacking ahead.
The first stop was a place that makes for a good photo and a better story. They walked into Fan Tan Alley, which a sign on the wall describes as the narrowest alley in all of Canada. One of them tested it right there on camera and found that they could not put their arms out. If you are the type who likes to say you have stood in the skinniest, tallest or oldest anything, this is your kind of detour.
Pastry first, then a flat white
Near Chinatown, they stopped at a patisserie for a flaky treat. The order was a chocolate croissant, a citron tart and a flat white. The pastries drew this review: “a lot of layers, I can hear that crunch.” Anyone who has bitten into a truly fresh croissant knows what that sound promises. A shatter of buttery pastry on the outside is the sign of a good one.
It is also a smart way to travel. A pastry shop and a coffee gives you a seat, a rest for your feet and a front-row view of the neighborhood before the walking starts again.
The peanut butter cups that stole the show
Later in the day came a chocolate shop, and this part of the trip is dangerous for a sweet tooth. They tried dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and the verdict was “think of a Reese’s times 10.” There was also a milk chocolate version of the cup, along with popcorn ones and a maple one. That is a lot of ways to say yes to peanut butter.
Also on their list for the day were White Rabbit candy ice cream bars, in matcha and red bean flavors. A dessert crawl is the whole idea of the outing, and with that many sweets in one afternoon, splitting each item so you can taste more of them is the way to go.
A shout out and a helpful local
The day had a friendly feel beyond the food. There was a birthday shout out for Darl, along with the news that Darl and Sharon became grandparents for the first time. And when a local stopped to offer directions, they gave the stranger a “shout out to the local” of their own. Those small moments, a kind stranger pointing the way, are often what people remember most about a port stop. By their account it was a fun day with great weather.
How to copy this kind of port day
You do not need to be on the same ship, or even in the same port, to borrow the idea. A food walk off a cruise ship works almost anywhere, and a few habits make it go smoothly.
- Know your all-aboard time. Write down when you must be back at the ship, and plan to be back well before it. Ships do leave on schedule.
- Keep the ship’s contact number handy. If something goes sideways, you want that number on your phone and on a slip of paper.
- Check the ride before you hop in. Whether it is a taxi or a shuttle, confirm how the fare works before you start, and ask the driver for a card or number if you want a ride back.
- Wear comfortable shoes. A food walk means a lot of small distances, and they add up over an afternoon.
- Share what you order. Splitting a croissant, a tart or a box of candy lets you try more places without feeling stuffed by lunchtime.
- Ask the locals. As this couple found out, someone on the sidewalk can save you a wrong turn and point you to something good.
- Bring a card and a little cash. Small bakeries and candy counters do not always take every payment type.
The best part of this approach is the pace. You are not chasing a tour guide’s umbrella. You wander, you nibble, you stop when something smells good and you move on when your feet say so. If your cruise has a free day in port, an alley with a funny sign, a good pastry and a bar of something chocolate may be all the plan you need.
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