Stanley Market at Stanley Village, Hong Kong

Stanley Market to me looks more like a market that has been put up together for tourists. Not a bad idea really because we all have to earn our living, as well as many people going on holiday love to buy tokens from their trips, in all kinds. From the pedestrian mother-of-all-souvenirs fridge magnets to tacky and wacky figurines of the local must see attraction.

I am sure I can hear you chuckle, ‘To each his/her own!’. FINE.

I however hate knick knacks, and I understand that hate is a strong word so I am not taking this lightly. I try not to buy stuff that I do not need and use, especially those souvenir trinkets. Firstly, they are a waste of money, and secondly, they will just accumulate dust in the living room.

I also try to subscribe to the adage, ‘Less is more’ which can be applied really in the many aspects of our lives. I try my best to live a minimalist life at home without having to sacrifice aesthetics and cosiness, although I can hear the Dutchman wryly smirking at the back of my mind, ‘It’s about time you clean up your closet and get rid of half of the shoes you have amassed!’ Well I tell you my love one, that is another story! =)

HK Stanley Market
Websites: HK Stanley Market, Hong Kong Tourism Board - Stanley Market

Although I rarely buy at markets, I love perusing through them. You may be able to relate to this as well—at some point, markets become utterly predictable especially when you are going to markets in the same place or region. But whenever I visit a new country, I always put market visiting in the agenda. Any kind of market really, from a dry goods market to a farmers market.

These local markets allows us to take a peek into the culture and the people behind the country we are visiting. In addition, I am always up to seeing new things, and who knows, I may break my miserly habit and buy an item or two?

The street that leads to Stanley Village and to Stanley Market from the main road. 

My mom loves bananas while I hate them, I almost never eat them (eww). I bought blueberries instead which my mom does not fancy at all, hehe.

The waving kitty means Good Luck. Basically the kitty is waving for money to come her way, so that is why you need to have a kitty like this at home =). Speaking of which, I have a tiny waving kitty at home on my front hallway, a gift from a friend in Japan. I do not really believe in these but since it is a gift it does not hurt to keep it.

We bought Burmese Jade. I told my mom that we should have bought these in Burma instead!

Chinese calligraphy. You can have it done on anything, on a t-shirt, as a portrait, as your personalised stamp, name it and they will do it for you.

Armadillo bags? Owl bags? You want to make your own necklace or fashion accessory? 

I wanted to visit the Stanley Food Market as well but the mother was already tired from the walking exercise, so I reminded myself sternly that this holiday isn’t all about me. I’ll do the food market another time.

Travel Period: August 2013
Destination: Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)