One of the coolest, (and most photogenic) things about Hong Kong were the markets.
There were food markets, which they called “Wet Markets”
and there was an area for pets, the fishies being the best subjects:
How cute is this picture? HI FISHY!
But the funnest markets were the STUFF markets. There are many, and we did our best to hit them all! Stalls and stalls and stalls of everything you could want, from underwear to housewares, to of course, knock off bags, shoes and watches, which they will insist are, “same, same!”
The best was the bargaining. A successful score would be when you countered with half of their first price and only ended up coming back up a little. Sometimes, though, the price they would say was so cheap, I would just stinking pay it.
We got some pretty good loot, but we were fairly restrained I think. We brought home a bunch of art including a huge painting that SB fell in love with of three monks, (which I assured him will cost a billion dollars to frame properly, but he swears he won’t argue) and also smaller paintings as well, of pretty birds and flowers that we’ve given out as gifts. I found a BEAUTIFUL table runner that actually fits our bigass table that is navy with gold designs, and some rad reproductions of vintage Chinese ads that I have to find a place for.
More Hong Kong goodness to come! I think, three more posts?
Keep ‘em coming baby. THough by the looks at it, I’m getting the feeling that there is no greenery in Hong Kong, and hence the escape to Thailand? It seems like night and day. Buildings and commerce, buildings and commerce, buildings and commerce … or lovely nature two plans and a train (or whatnot) away … surreal whether that’s actually how it is or not. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to take two planes and a train to see nature … Seattle still boggles my brain with skyrises, but someday I’ll venture NY, and maybe even Hong Kong and I’ll just walk around catching flies.
I wish you would lead guided tours. Because I am scared to go to other countries, but you are NOT scared and you could lead me to the good shopping!
post a million more if you want to, I love them.
Markets are one of my favorite place to shoot. I love these! My fave is the shot of all the bags of pet fish. so nice!
xo
p.s. I have sunday & mondays off -so you name a time on one of those days that’s good & we have a phone date…we have so much to catch up on!
Jenny – your photos are so fabulous – not to mention your blog commentary! I’ve been to hong kong several times and have become jaded, but your photos reminded me of how impressed and awed i was during my first few visits. I’ll have to get out my photos this weekend and have my own little flashback. I’ve always wanted to go to Thailand and enjoyed the trip vicariously through you. I sent Judy your blog site so you should hear from her soon.
Debbie
PS – i love your bigass table!
That wall of purses just made me drool a little bit.
Oh, you had me at “STUFF.” I love the idea of tables and tables of stuff– at a BARGAIN. In any case, the photos are beautiful and I do love the cute fishy. The juxtaposition between the “Wet Market” photo of the fish on the table and the next shots of fish in bags is pretty cool.
Thanks for letting us travel vicariously through you! I love it!
chickadee: Actually, I’ve led you astray. While HK is a big dirty city, it is surrounded by all of these lovely green hills that have trails and paths throughout. I guess I didn’t get any pictures of them, though.
Swistle: Oh. Swistle. You would DIE from the bargains. Just DIE. That table runner? Beautiful. Quality. Awesome. And under $10.
Dahli: I’m so glad we finally got to talk!:)
Aunt Debbie: HI! Thanks so much for leaving a comment! I’m glad I reminded you how magical HK can be.
Thanks for making Judy come visit, too. I miss those guys.
JR: I actually didn’t even get one. We found that anything we bought with a zipper or a clasp or a buckle didn’t last very long. Not so much with the “same same”.
Noreen: Ha! That was an accident! You are another who would love love love the shopping. Just wait for my post about malls.
AWESOME pictures. Beautiful colors. I love it.