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You can buy just about anything in Hong Kong.
And when I say anything, I mean anything, from high-tech computer equipment to live slimy things to stuff that I can't even identify.
There are several really cool markets that I checked out.
The Flower Market: Set on a the aptly named Flower Market Road, this is a bustling street crammed with people, all shopping for cut flowers, flower arrangements, and an array of strange plants that I suppose are beautiful in an other-worldly kind of way.
The Yuen Po Bird Garden: I actually wandered into this out of sheer curiosity, despite the cacophonous screeches of angry caged avians. Stall after stall of tiny cages, even tinier painted porcelain bowls (I guess for food and water), and, of course, the birds. They were mostly small ornamental things. I presume that people in Hong Kong like them in the same way you might like one of those tiny ornamental dogs that fits into your clutch with just an itty-bitty rat-like head poking out. But there were also parrots and other large birds that, alarmingly, were not kept in cages but tied to posts and screamed out what sounded like
Chinese obscenities to me.
The Goldfish Market: On Tung Choi street there are shops spilling over with plastic bags and aquariums stuffed with pretty orange goldfish and koi, as well as aquatic plants. It's actually very pretty, the gem-colored fish in their pearlescent bags or aquamarine tanks are one of the more calming things amid the hustle and bustle of the market. (On a side note, I noticed several shops at the end of the Goldfish Market selling rabbits of all sizes, from newborn without their eyes open all the way up to full grown. Was it the Bunny Market? The Ooh-Aren't-They-Cute-and-Won't-They-Make-Good-Pets-Until-We-Get-Hungry Market?
The Ladies Market: I understand that this was originally a market for women's clothing. You can still find steamy lingerie, tight-fitting t-shirts, silky-sheen tops and flowing robes; but otherwise I think the name might just be an homage to how ladies like to shop. You can find virtually anything here; trinket-sized souvenirs, music and movies, shoes, socks, fans, soccer jerseys, and dishes.
The Temple Street Night Market: As its name suggests, this market opens at 4pm and thrives all the way through midnight. Not only can you pick up nifty souvenirs (communist paraphernalia, old
Chinese coins, compasses, chess sets, and packs of cards), but you can get your fortune told or pull up a 6-inch-high chair and have some tasty-looking (but possibly questionable) street food.
I have already covered the Ginseng and Bird's Nest Market, the Dried Seafood Market, and the Herbal Medicine Street in
Birds, Dried Fish, and Other Scary Stuff, and I still intend to get myself to the Jade Market soon!
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Jill
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Hi Becky - I think flower market would obviously be a favorite out of those! How are the prices? After conversion, do you feel like the prices are US equivalent for the quality? Not sure how the bunny market is in Austin but how about the flowers?