This weekend was a busy one, a world wind of activities that took us to Richmond, Chilliwack, downtown Vancouver, and even Stanley Park. Luckily, we had the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid at our arsenal.
This is a vehicle we are familiar with and have already test-driven this summer, but the hybrid model. It would serve us well in our three days worth of adventures with plenty of city driving and with the need to haul people around; something that does not happen often with us.
We are already fans of the spacious cabin, and the taller vantage point we get from the firm seats. I also really like the wide centre consul and ability to place two cell phones side-by-side on padded grips. This is a raised tray that is at arm’s length and eyeball height. All in order to put your phone away, while still being within reaching distance if needed. Naturally, this is more so for the passenger’s sake.
Already knowing the lack lustre charging of the wireless pad, and supposed fast speed charging of the c-cable that didn’t take from the last model, I did not bother trying this feature, this weekend.
We were however impressed by the way the Santa Fe drove as far as hybrids goes. You really didn’t feel anything electrical charging or taking away from the car’s ability or power between accelerating and breaking. It was speedy and quick, taking turns well. Plus, it didn’t have the slow sputtering feeling of trying to ascend uphill. It was a nice pleasant ride each time, and even the guests we taxied were impressed. Declaring this the best Sante Fe they have ever stepped foot in.
Friday night saw us driving all the way to Richmond from our home in North Burnaby. A 45 minute drive to attend what was listed as a VIP, highend night club experience hosted by ALAÏA. Considering the mention of multiple cocktails and bottle service, I invited the guys out and we thought to Uber and fully enjoy Richmond’s night club scene. However, the cost of the ride eventually had us looking to the Hyundai and my partner taking on the responsible designated driver role. Just as well, considering our experience was not what was advertised and we left with a souring taste and empty bellies. A detailed recap I will dedicate to its own post.
Needless to say, we made the best out of it, and had an interesting time, but did not want to leave the evening on that note. So, as per tradition, we decided to take a disappointing party and turn it into something memorable with a visit to the nearest strip club.
I’ve heard about The Gallery before, but have yet to visit. So considering the 15 minute drive to it, from ALAÏA in Richmond’s Versente Hotel, this seemed like a golden opportunity. And it was technically still boys night.
So three of us, and our designated driver climbed into the 2024 Hyundai Sante Fe once more with plenty of space to sprawl out on, and much more to manspread over. A total of 7 passengers, if needed. As it and our driver safely took us to our destination underneath a bridge on Marine Drive.
This too, I will be writing an individual post for, as it fell in line with our experience before: a promise of a VIP time that did not quite deliver. Coupled with deviations from what I know strip club night life to be known for.
After a few dances, a couple of drinks, and some bills thrown; we decided to call it in and our gracious designated driver chauffeurd each of us home. All safe and comfortable in the sturdy and stable Hyundai Sante Fe.
The next day we had a few errands to run and look to the Sante Fe to help us again. Dropping off my personal daily driver to have its quarter window finally repaired, picking up some pharmaceuticals from the nearby Shoppers, and sending off relatives who would be going home back to the Philippines after today.
The back and forth of all of the above were blips in mileage considered the 100km with the hybrid battery and 973 in tank when we picked it up. Furthered by the Hyrid’s ability to store energy and power as indicated on the dash, as it showed charge.
In the evening we would separate and engage in an own activities. My partner off to Chilliwack with the 2024 Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid, to catch a friend’s amateur boxing match. He did so with plenty of fuel to spare after the 1.5 hour drive each way.
I, myself travelled downtown with a friend for a bit of a crawl, as she took me out for my very belated birthday celebration. Something I did not expect, but fully appreciated.
We visited three restaurants, and each will get its own review. Although, here in summary, we started off at Tutto, an Italian restaurant she has previously introduced me to. Taking advantage of their happy hour we would eat our fill, get treated to a round of drinks, and blow out my first birthday cake with candle of the evening.
We stuck to the happy hour menu and begin with a couple of classic cocktails, followed by Lambrusco with happy hour pricing. This we paired happy hour discounted calamari, pizza, and pasta. The ideal carby-base to build our drinking on.
Our second stop, brought us to the cusp of Yaletown to the long-standing, multiple award-winning, Brix & Mortar. There was a wedding reception held in their private space this evening, so we were ushered through the Yaletown entrance.
Here, we continued our drinking with a pitcher of sangria, and a couple of cocktails. We paired that with some elevated bites the likes of duck liver pate and roasted duck.
Our final location was the Michelin recommended, Morrocan restaurant Moltaqa. This is their Yaletown location, which I have yet to visit before this night. Our rambunctious festivities continued with multiple rounds of shots, one of their specialty cocktails, and entire bottle of wine.
We would order a few of their authentic Moroccan specialties, although overall found everything on the salty side. Considering our level of intoxication, I would like to revisit this one on a more sobering note. Especially as we just missed the belly dancer as we took our seats.
Overall Saturday was a fun night, a whirlwind of laughter, and we got home safely to repeat for Sunday.
We are both fans of laughter and have spent hundreds attending local shows together, but we have never done so at an outdoor comedy festival. This is aptly titled the Great Outdoor Comedy festival, held at Stanley Park. Yet again, a drink-friendly event, one that we contemplated taking a taxi or Uber to, but given the distance from North Burnaby, all the way to the heart of Stanley Park, we decided it was best to take the Sante Fe out for the night again.
We drove out early enough to find parking in one of their paid-for lots. We decided to tailgate and chug down a couple of bottles of room temperature beers before we descended on to festival grounds. Both the spacious trunk and back row seats gave us a comfortable place to park ourselves as we simmered and sipped.
For the full review of the event, my notes on the food and drink situation, plus critic of the actual comics, visit the blog for a future review.
At night’s end it was back into the warmth and safety of our whip of the week. A full weekend’s worth of activities not made possible if not for our 2024 Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid.
