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Posts Tagged ‘shopping’

Sydney Opera House

Another view of the Sydney Opera House, this time with slightly nicer weather

Sign for The Rocks, Sydney

The Rocks

Sydney Harbour Bridge from beneath

Sydney Harbour Bridge

 
Customised trike motorcycle

Transport, Aussie-style Saturday market at The Rocks, Sydney

Saturday market at The Rocks, Sydney

Saturday market at The Rocks, Sydney

Man with wooden train sets

Lots of handicrafts on offer...

Glassblower from Argyle Glass in Sydney

A glassblower goes about his work

I must have ‘tourist’ written all over my forehead.  With time to kill, I decided to head down to the Saturday market at The Rocks, near Circular Quay.  I was pretty impressed, because the quality of what was offered was pretty good as compared to most tourist markets.  Most of the handicrafts were genuinely hand-crafted, and although prices were high, I didn’t feel like I was being ripped off with the usual tourist-tat.

Which meant that I came home with quite a lot more than I intended to.  It drives Aude crazy, because getting me to buy souvenirs is usually like getting blood from a stone.  Unless it’s something really unusual, I simply won’t buy it.  Which is why I’m as surprised as anyone about coming home with quite a few things, and having my eye on even more things.

Maybe it’s because the things on offer here often crossed that thin line between ‘tourist souvenir’ and ‘art’.  They are souvenirs in the truest sense of the word: one-off creations by artisans that are unique to this place, and will help me remember my visit here.  I wish I could find more of these sorts of souvenirs elsewhere in my travels, but usually it’s just overpriced crappy trinkets.

I’m still on the look-out for one or two more souvenirs, though.  We have two puppets from Singapore on our stairs, and I’m still searching for the elusive counterpart to go with them.

We managed to wake up early this morning to go to the famous Paris flea markets at Saint Ouen. I have to admit, it wasn’t quite what I expected. Instead of loads of vendors who set up each morning, the stalls at Saint Ouen are all permanent – closed against the weather, self-contained units that can be locked up each night. As a result, there are quite a few very high-end dealers selling antiques down there.

We managed to come home empty-handed, not least because the prices at the flea market reflect its semi-permanent state: there are no bargains to be had here – dealers shop elsewhere and these products are priced for tourists. Oh well, it was still a fun morning out, worth getting up early for.

Flea Markets at St Ouen

Looking down one of the alleys in the flea markets at Saint Ouen

Hanging lanterns and lamps

Hanging lanterns and lamps outside one of the stalls

Ducks in a row

A line of ducks in a row. Cheeky garden gnomes hiding in the background.

Wooden furniture in piles

Wooden furniture, stacked high at one of the stalls in the market

Tapestries and chairs

Tapestries and chairs along a wall in the market

Wicker baskets

Wicker baskets outside a stall

The afternoon was a last chance to enjoy our four-day weekend (well, until next weekend, when we have a three-day weekend. There are some upsides of living in France, and the number of public holidays over the summer months is definitely one of them). So off we headed to the Jardins de Luxembourg to spend a few hours in the afternoon sun, catching up on our reading and watching the old men play petanque in the park.

Tonight is the highlight of the weekend – we’ll finally finish compiling our first French tax return, a mammoth this year with over 30 pages (mostly relating to our bank accounts held outside France – the French are obsessed with the notion that everyone is harbouring their money off-shore and not declaring it. Which, in most cases, is true. I read that, as a nation, the French massively under-declare their tax. It’s something of a national pastime to see how much you can get past the tax inspectors). We’ve just about gotten our heads around it and will post it off tomorrow to avoid the last-minute rush at the end of the month.

It’s my last weekend in Singapore, so I decided I should probably take the opportunity to do a little sightseeing, despite the poor weather. I waited for the worst of the rain to clear in the morning, then jumped in a cab to Arab Street to see a different side of Singapore life. Lots of interesting shops (and a nice change from the branded stores that line Orchard Road) and a chance to buy a few souvenirs to bring back home.

Bussorah Mall

Bussorah Mall, just off Arab Street. Bizarrely, this enclave of Muslim life in Singapore is decorated for Christmas.

Sultan Mosque

The Sultan Mosque

Belly dancing shop

One has to wonder whether this is the biggest belly-dancing shop in Singapore, or whether this is simply a belly-dancing shop that caters to the biggest bellies in Singapore?

Maserati

Five brand new Maseratis were lined up in front of Raffles Hotel, presumably for some sort of launch party? Given the high taxes on cars in Singapore, expensive cars like these are a relatively rare sight despite the number of high-earners here.

The famous Raffles doorman

The famous Raffles doorman

Christmas, Singapore style

Christmas, Singapore style. Barney entertains the kids with a Christmas show. I’d wager that less than 10% are Christian. No one seems to care — Christmas here is an all-enclusive holiday, and more importantly, another excuse for shopping!

After a long day of flying from the UK, with a very early start, Aude finally arrived in Istanbul early Friday evening. We headed down to Baghdad Street, on the Asian side, for a quick dinner of kebabs. Our cab driver was the worst that I’ve encountered in Istanbul – and that’s saying a lot. In the end, we got out and walked, fearing for both our lives and our stomachs if we continued on in the taxi.

I don’t know where this myth started about the Turks having great food. Sure, you can get your choice of lamb or chicken grilled to perfection at most places. But that’s about it for variety. Maybe a salad or some fish, grilled without any sauce. For the record, if I never eat Turkish food again, it will be too soon. The diet is one part of this country I certainly won’t miss. The Turkish have one of the highest smoking rates in Europe – nearly 90% of adults here smoke. And they have a correspondingly low life expectancy. But I suspect that their early death has nothing to do with their smoking – they smoke so they don’t have to eat their rubbish food, and eventually they face their millionth kebab and just give up the will to live.

Never mind. Aude had brought some champagne with her, so we had a few glasses and called it an early night back at the hotel.

Saturday morning, I hired a car and driver to spend the day with us. I did the same thing when I was in Sydney and Bangkok, and I remain convinced that this is the best way to see any city if you’re short on time. Our chauffeur whisked us off to the European side of Istanbul (via ferry, which was a nice way to get our first views of the old city) and then from one place to another, no waiting, no confusion, no language difficulties, and most importantly, no hassle. He even recommended a great fish restaurant for us at lunch. We had the terrace to ourselves, and had a great time watching the world go by.

Aude did a great job setting out our itinerary (I’m usually useless at things like this, and happily handed over the guide book and delegated all responsibility for planning our day, my role having ended at booking the car.) We took in all the big sights in the old city – the Topkapi Palace, the Aya Sofya, the Grand Bazaar, and the Egyptian Spice market. It was a great day out, and the weather stayed absolutely perfect for us.

I took loads of photos, but I’ve chosen a small handful for this website. I’ll stick the rest up later when I finally have some time.

Matt and Aude on the ferry from the Asian side of Istanbul to the European side

Matt and Aude on the ferry from the Asian side of Istanbul to the European side

A group of Muslim women visiting the Topkapi Palace

A group of Muslim women visiting the Topkapi Palace

Cats everywhere

There are cats everywhere in Istanbul. Here’s one of the little guys peering out of a fountain at the Palace.

Matthew

Matthew standing outside the entrace to the kitchen at the Topkapi Palace.

Inner courtyard entrance

The entrance to the inner courtyard at the Topkapi Palace.

Aude in the gardens

Aude in the gardens of the Topkapi Palace, enjoying the perfect weather on a November morning.

Aude on the stairs

Aude on the stairs in the gardens at the Topkapi Palace.

A view of the Asian side of Istanbul

A view of the Asian side of Istanbul

One of the mosaic doorways at the Topkapi Palace

One of the mosaic doorways at the Topkapi Palace

Lunch in an Istanbul restaurant

Lunch in an Istanbul restaurant

Fresh fish!

Fresh fish!

Aude outside the Aya Sofya

Aude outside the Aya Sofya

Aya Sofya

Aya Sofya

Aya Sofya

Aya Sofya. Clearly the signs didn’t apply to the cats.

Inside Aya Sofya

Inside Aya Sofya

Inside Aya Sofya

Inside Aya Sofya

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque

Aya Sofya

Aya Sofya, looking fantastic in the setting sun

A balloon seller

A balloon seller

The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar

Gold sellers at the Grand Bazaar

Gold sellers at the Grand Bazaar

The Egyptian spice market

The Egyptian spice market

Uh oh!

Uh oh! Aude needs to be on the lookout for counterfeit products — they’re everywhere!

It’s my last day in Singapore for a couple of weeks. I’m headed to Paris tomorrow to spend the weekend with Aude, then off to Istanbul for two weeks on business. The plan is that all of her friends will meet in Paris to celebrate her 30th birthday, but the party may turn out to be smaller than anticipated if her friends get held up in the transport strikes. The latest news was that very few long-distance trains are running, but that situation may clear up in time for the weekend. In any case, I’m flying in so it shouldn’t be a problem.

A tailor was recommended to me, so I’ve managed to have loads of clothes made this week – although that leaves me with the rather awkward problem of having to cart them around with me for the next three stops on my trip, which might be tricky as I think I’m considerably over the permitted baggage limit.

Shopping mall

Shopping in Singapore can be a little overwhelming. There’s lots of visual noise and bright colours vying for your attention!

Spiderman

Had to capture a picture of Spiderman, if only for the sake of completeness after the comments I got in Bangkok!

Korean dinner

You can eat very well at the food courts here. US$2 buys you all this…

I also had to go shopping for a winter coat last night – I packed for Singapore weather, and consequently have nothing warmer than a shirt. Weather forecasts for Paris are below freezing.

Buying a winter coat in Singapore presents its own problems – given the year-round warm weather here, they don’t keep many in stock. I finally managed to find one, but you’re not really spoiled for choice out here.

Christmas decorations along Orchard Road in Singapore

Christmas decorations along Orchard Road in Singapore

Christmas decorations along Orchard Road in Singapore

Christmas decorations along Orchard Road in Singapore

All against a very Asian backdrop...

All against a very Asian backdrop…

A pretty impressive tree at the Takashimaya shopping centre in Singapore

A pretty impressive tree at the Takashimaya shopping centre in Singapore

All the decorations are up for Christmas already, although the characters aren’t quite as I remember them. Christmas is clearly commercialised, so Jesus Christ has no part in the events whatsoever. And apparently, neither does that rather secular fellow called Santa Claus. Princess Noel, on the other hand, does make an appearance – whoever she is? It’s all a bit surreal seeing all the Christmas decorations (many of which have a “Winter Wonderland” theme to them) when the temperature outside is brushing 90 degrees.

My next challenge is deciding how I’m going to celebrate Thanksgiving. I’ve made some preliminary enquiries, but it turns out that it’s very difficult to find a turkey in Turkey.

Rice parcels

Rice parcels

A very satisfied Gina!

A very satisfied Gina!

Orchard Road

Orchard Road

After a relatively leisurely start to the day, sitting by the pool, Gina declared that it was time to go shopping on the Orchard Road. Clearly confronted with a professional shopper, I was in no position to argue.

We started off in the food court. Gina is on a mission to eat all of the foods that she misses from when she was growing up here in Singapore, and seems to be determined to eat them all within the first week. While I sensibly bought myself a plate of yaki udon, she managed to buy dinner for three – and then we hit the main food hall, where she proceeded to stock up with more goodies to bring back to the hotel.

I must admit, many of the foods that she raves over are a bit lost on me. More on that in another post…