Day 3: Markets, markets, markets

A slower start today, in order to avoid the peak hour crowds. Eventually we took a series of trains to Mong Kok and set off to see the Ladies' Market. We found a market, still not sure whether it was the one we'd been looking for. Fairly typical street market wares but quite extensive, spreading onto many side streets, and quite novel to shop in cool weather. Had lunch there too, in a streetside café that was a lot more Western than it looked from the outside (though we were still the only Westerners in the joint as far as we could see). Rice with an oddly Italian style bolognase sauce plus Asian pork knuckle. Nice, but a bit odd.

Nerdia was on a mission to find the Jade Market, and we eventually did. It's an angular permanent tentlike structure at the junction of two small roads, much like a Spiegeltent at Fringeworld. Full of beads, necklaces, amulets, animal carvings and boxes made from all types of jade, pearls, stones and cinnabar. Merchants here were quite laid back, perhaps used to richer clientele prepared to pay more? After a few laps Nerdia eventually bought a couple of small items.

Then we wandered aimlessly around the neighbourhood all afternoon. Busy Nathan Road: wide, fenced in with limited crossing points to protect pedestrians from all the traffic (or is it the other way around?), swarming with people and flashing with neon. Several small but open community parks, with familiar plastic children's playground equipment but no grass; smaller streets with numerous shops all selling the same thing - jewellery here, metallic kitchenware there. The cooking pots would hold a small adult. Stumbled onto a great fresh fruit and veg market, full of delicious-looking goods. Bought some apples - the best Plane Boy has had in quite some time - and some of those lovely tiny tropical bananas.

Eventually we made our way to Temple Street for the main night markets Plane Boy had been waiting for. They were only just starting to set up so we plonked ourselves down at an open air eatery with some cheap bland Chinese rice beer. Didn't notice we'd ordered litre bottles but we finished them nonetheless. After a spot of people watching we explored the night markets as they got going for the evening; the "adult toy" side street was most amusing.

So what did we buy? Well, nothing down that side street... though we did get some touristy souvenirs plus a "police dog" coat for Pink!
Tired and a bit cold by now (how novel!), we made it back to the hotel in about half an hour despite the peak hour crowds, dropped off our shopping and had dinner at the place next to the place where we ate last night (which is next to the place where we eat breakfast). Still the only Westerners. Hot and sour soups with those nice squeaky rice noodles, this time with tofu and pork with vegies.

Tired tonight, off to bed!