Markets, markets, markets!

I love markets. They are a prominent feature of many cities and the perfect place to find a good bargain. On all my trips overseas, I will schedule in some market time and will hardly ever return home empty handed. No matter how big or small my purchase, I’ll usually have something to remember my trip by. Some of my favourites:

Melbourne:

• Victoria Market ~ This is definitely Melbourne's most popular market. You'll find souveniers, arts and craft, fresh produce and lots more!
  



• Camberwell Market ~ Popular for bargains and second hand goods. It's nice even just for a stroll because you'll see some interesting things (e.g.: I saw a man selling all sorts of wires and all sorts of chords, of all different lengths and another stall featuring only vintage weighing machines)
  



I set up a stall at Camberwell Market with a friend on a Winter's day and it poured all over our pretty car space!

London:

Portobello Market ~ One of the most famous street markets in the world and is a popular destination for tourists and Londoners alike. Portobello Road leads to the heart of Notting Hill, made famous by the romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.

Hummingbird Cupcakes...yummeeee!

You'll be able to smell this store from a mile away as you make your way through Portobello Market

Camden Town ~ A rather colourful market where you'll find some quirky things. Clubs nearby are often frequented by celebrities such as Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty and Sadie Frost.

A little section of Camden Town (there is also a little river cruise you can take here)

Hong Kong:

Ladies Street ~ It is a great place to have the Chinese market experience. Despite the name, the market sells clothes for men and women and you'll have plenty of cheap Chinese curios to cast your eyes on.

Temple Street ~ I'll always try schedule a visit to "Miu Kai" whenever I'm in Hong Kong. It can get very hot during the summer so bring some water and dress light if you plan to rummage through strands of beads, pearls, jade and antique pieces. 

Temple Street: You'll be sure to find something hiding in one of these stalls!

While out visiting markets, keep an eye out for local restaurants nearby. Wonton noodles and congee are popular dishes, and although they make this stuff in Singapore and Malaysia, they just don't do it like Hong Kong does it!

Beijing:

Ya Show ~ Clothes, clothes and more clothes...be sure to haggle your bottom off!

Peking duck at Quan Ju De (a popular chain restaurant in Beijing...they have one in Melbourne now too! I shall drop by when in need of a dose of BJ)

Xiu Shui Jie ~ I can't believe I can't find a photo of this market in my archive considering how much time I spent here! If Chinese fashion isn't your thing, it just means you have to spend a lot of time digging and sorting, but once you've done that it is so worth it. But make sure you haggle, haggle haggle! There are bags, shoes, clothes, tailors and on the upper floors, there are beads, pearls and ready-made jewellery.

LAN Club

This is a must visit in Beijing. It is right across from Xiu Shui Jie. Though I might not be visiting with bags of shopping, its definitely worth going to if you're ever around the area. The club covers a massive space with Mongolian style tents serving as private rooms, lots of French paintings (even on the ceilings), Phillippe Starck furniture, each of which are slightly different. Its too beautiful to put in words, just drop by to experience it for yourself. 

Pan Jia Yuan ~ Beijing's biggest antique market. I visited it on my last weekend in Beijing and didn't have time to come back again to finish it off :( You'll find some of the most interesting things. Even if you don't buy, its a good place to visit. 

A stall selling the cutest old-school kinetic toys (some apparently older than me). The owner was up for a chat on an early Sunday morning, and I found out that his brother-in-law lives here in Melbourne running a similar shop somewhere in Richmond. But nothing beats finding something vintage in a market.

Some pieces of jewellery I’ve made with market finds... Available at U-Fhern.com

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