Stage One - On the road

There is something irresistible about a road trip.  Even when it's about the destination and not the journey.  You don't have to be quite so worried about space requirments as you are for a flight for instance.  That extra pair of shoes can be added at the last minute, or rain gear that you might need, or a particularly heavy piece of furniture - whatever!  In our case it's usually food.  We can get hungry on the road, even one that is studded with places to eat.  So we cram in nourishment options.  Just in case we crave some squashed fruit, or a stale muffin, or tepid water.  You never know.  And if we end up having to dump it out at the end or spend a dollar or two at a gas station to clean out the crumbs, well, I guess that is the price paid for the gift of extra carrying space a car provides.

 

The day we left it was blazing sunshine, and we drove with the skylight open, downtown and out the end, through Stanley Park with its trees floating above us.  Up to the Upper Levels and along the TransCanada Highway No. 1 to Horsehoe Bay.  No traffic, no hold ups, no problems and only 1.5 hours to wait for our ferry.

 

Yep, the Butlers (particularly that Jennifer woman) dislike being late so much they are usually disturbingly early.  But that's okay today because there is nobody to mind except ourselves and we are quite happy to leave the car in the ferry line up and go into town.

 

Along the drive we asked ourselves, what do we want for lunch?  We decided that we wanted something not too heavy, and not deep fried, but satisfying.  Entering the small town of Horseshoe Bay we passed coffee shops and burger joints, sandwich bars and pizza places.  Then we saw Arigato Sushi.  Perfect!

 

We were the only ones in there, although to be fair it was only just noon. The decor hinted at an earlier incarnation as a steak house, with highbacked booths and dark wooden carvings over the bar.  A collection of dusty artificial plants looked wanly out of the windows. But we were welcomed warmly and given a sizable menu.  We ordered a bento box: california roll, sashimi, tempura, chicken terriaki and gomae.

 

I have to say, that could well have been the best bento box I have ever had, and I have had my share of bento boxes. Now I know you can't hear my voice or see my body language so I have to use words to assure you there is no irony or sarcasm in my assessment.  It was an absoluely delicious meal and sincerely probably the best bento box I have ever had!  From now on we intend to add even more time to our future drives here, just to have another bento box.  Thank you Arigato Sushi!