BotF is staying with his good friend Tony from Toowoomba in the expat district of Shunyi, which is to the North East of Beijing. Vast complexes full of ridiculously ostentatious villas have sprung up in the last 15 years originially to house expats, but increasingly to house aspirational Chinese. Unfortunately not many pubs have sprung up, but there is no shortage of supermarkets catering to the diverse tastes of the expat communities. These supermarkets will stock a smorgasbord of products from all around the world, both food and beverage. Also available is a range of Chinese stuff made to mimic the Western products, but with a Chinese twist. Cucumber chips anyone?
In the photo is a typical Chinese twist on the chip. Stax are pretty common around the world, but has anyone ever seen them with their own supply of sauce? In the top of the chip tube is a container of (in this instance) barbecue sauce. Tomato is also available. Haven’t tried them yet.
These supermarkets also stock a variety of alcoholic beverages from around the world, some of which will appear on BotF over the upcoming days. When will there be a beer aisle in Australian supermarkets? Very frustrating.
Bucanero Fuerte is a very good strong beer from Cuba. The Cerveceria Bucanero is a prominent Cuban brewery that looks like it makes a nice range of brews, which they are exporting. 5.4% strength overcomes the scourge of brewers around the world – the 330ml bottle.
back of the ferry 