Hi all,
My first post, but wanted to ask something which has come up a few times in discussion with my friends. I travel a lot, so usually end up thinking about buying things to bring home. In the end, I can't be bothered buying knick-knacks so I try to buy something I will actually use - but would be good to know what people have found on their travels that one should keep in mind to look for.
So, what have you found, all around the world, that can be considered good or great buys? This may uniquely local things, or just good craftmanship, or just simply things that can be found anywhere but they were bought at a very good price.
Reply to this I think the most important thing to buy something useful, to avoid tourist shops. And before going anywhere check wiki about that country. Cheers.
Reply to this Hello Jon 😊
I generally buy pure coconut oil in Thailand. I put it on my hair. It is good for thick wavey hair. You can also use it as bath oil.
From Equador I brought back chocolate made by the Indians. It is sold in the markets there. It has no sugar in it, so you have to know a bit about cooking to use it, but it is very high quality and tastes great in cakes etc.
India has excellent tailors. They can copy anything, and are inexpensive. Dont hesitate to use the ones working in simple conditions with an old sewing machine. They do just as good a job as the ones in the fancy shops. Bring your favorite shirt or trousers and they will copy it for you. Just provide the materials for it, and they will have it done in a day or 3.
Baskets are nice from anywhere, and usually not expensive.
Mel
Reply to this I have t-shirt from India, not a copy, still well done. Oils, lots of like Sesame for massage.
Haven't tried chocolate from Ecuador yet. My current experience tells me, Swiss chocolate is best thing.
Baskets two thumbs up.
Glen.
Reply to this Thanks for the advice!
I got some great covers and various clothes from India indeed, although I found Thailand better for a suit (I had a good recommendation for a tailor though).
Weirdly, the ME (Lebanon/Syria in particular) are great for really thick, ornate blankets. Imagine a massively thick duvet really but with any number of prints you can have - nature and animal ones are common. They come really cheap and are massive, really warm and very nice to look at it.
Also, if you are interested in unusual jewelry, the Czech republic has a lot of jewelry made with a green coloured stone that is very common there. Have never seen them anywhere else, and they can come quite cheap for a unique piece.
Will have a think of what else I found worthwhile.
Reply to this Semi-precious stones from Cambodia. They come as sets of earrings, ring and pendant. Cheap.
Jeepney-designed paperweights, pina (pineapple) cloth from the Philippines.
Leather jacket, shoes, bags from Spain, Italy or Turkey.
Coffee beans from Vietnam, Cambodia, and I hear from Laos too.
Have a suit made in HK or in Shanghai.
Batik from Indonesia.
Chocolates from Vienna or anywhere in Austria.
Reply to this One of my favourite things to buy on our travels was material. We have some beautiful fabrics which I will use to make cushions and curtains.
My one regret is not buying more. I would always recommend getting somethign there and then if you see it as you probably won't come across it again.
Reply to this It purely depends upon from which class you belongs to whether simple traveller or a rich traveller. hahaha thats fun
if want to buy something then buy materials which you can carry easily to your home like carpets and all.
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Reply to this Spain is popular for the handicrafts and fashionable items. One can easily find the items in any price range as there are a number of markets ranging from low cost flea markets to expensive fashion shops.
Reply to this Leather items (especially purses) from San Lorenzo Market, Florence
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