One of Singapore's main attraction is FOOD. As a tourist here, you will be bombarded by the number of shops that sell a very wide variety of Asian cuisines.

There are informal settings where you have to order you food and bring it to your table very much like ordering from a fast-food joint. Difference is that the table where you sit may quite far away from the stall itself. These stalls, it can be up to 20 different stalls, all share a common sitting area. You are spoilt for choice as you decide what to try first.

Noodles and rice are prepared in a number of different manner - fried, soup, dry, semi-dry, chilli, ketchup, clay pot, hot cast-iron plate, mini steamboat, and the list goes on.

Then if you want to pamper yourself, and not join in the hustle and bustle of things, go to a formal restaurant. It is air-conditioned and you have waiters who will take your order and then bring the food to you. Dinning at these restaurants is easily affordable.

Of course, if budget is not an issue, go for fine dinning. You will be pampered as you enjoy the wonderful service and the relaxing pace.

No matter which is your choice of dinning experience, the food tastes simply delicious. You'll be putting on weight when you visit Singapore.

It doesn't matter if you are vegetarian, you will find vegetarian food stalls easily. Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-religious mix, thus the food is catered to all people. There are also internal cuisines easily available as well.

Now you see why Singapore is a food paradise?

The other main attraction in Singapore is SHOPPING. Clothes and electronic gadgets are the top picks for tourists from US and the UK.

Next to every shop that sells food, there is one that sells clothes or other things. It's like there is a master plan that predicts that after you do your shopping, you will be hungry and thirsty, so have the food stalls nearby so that you can replenish your body with food and drink before heading for the stalls again.

Branded clothing like Asley Isham and Wykidd Song to cheap t-shirts for tourists to purchase, branded make up to branded shoes are mainly located at Orchard Road. It is a place where budget is not an issue for you. You will fall in love with these shops here. Another newly opened shopping mall is at the Changi Airport Terminal 3. This is mainly for businessmen who are in Singapore for a one day or half-day transit. It has over 100 retail and food and beverage outlets.

You have to watch out for the Great Singapore Sale, Singapore Fashion Festival and the Christmas Light up. These sales are really worth the effort!

These are just 2 main attractions of Singapore and because it is the hottest 2 past times, there is even a shopping mall and a great number of food stalls that are open 24/7.

Speaking of hot past time, Singapore's nightlife (some of the world's best is at Clarke Quay), shopping and fine dinning is ranked top 5 in the world (reported by Country Brand Index by FutureBrand).

These are just 2 top picks why you may want to visit Singapore. Have fun!

CamSur was a great place, and Bicol as a whole.

Shopping was also fun especially for souvenir and pasalubong items, however, it was so sad to note that there are merchandisers who take advantage of visitors.

One comment I would like to throw has something to do with the Pili nut products. We were accompanied by an acquaintance to PNR, Legazpi City with the thought of buying cheap but quality pili nut products, however, it was some sort of deceit.

As we were entering the compound, a guy approached us and offered his merch. Our companions started buying and so did we. The person who accompanied us there was very silent....maybe he was ashamed to tell us that that was not supposed to be the person whom we should buy from. An old woman approached one of my companions and told her that she has merch in her house, so she followed. That was where we were supposed to buy. The products were pure Pili Nut.

As we were leaving the compound, we found out that the Pili nuts packed in plastic bottles that we bought from the man who met us are not pure pili nuts. Only the walls of the bottles were lined up with real nuts and the center filled with caramelized sugar.

We were cheated of course. A waste of money. I hope the local government and the provincial DTI office could monitor this matter. We must consider that both domestic and foreign tourists could help promote these products by word of mouth. We were so disappointed about it.

On our way home, we dropped by the fruit stalls along the highway at Laguna to buy Lanzones and Rambutans. While inside the vehicle, we doubted on the weight so upon reaching home, we weighed the fruits only to find out that it is short of one-fourth kilo. How can those people manage to cheat other people who pay fairly and contribute to their livelihood.

I hope that through this blog, it could somehow reach the concerned so that they could do something to correct this. Tourism is livelihood, therefore tourists should be treated fairly.

Mainz Town Centre

Mainz has an up-to-date, glamorous shopping mall, including stores such as H&M. They have many food stalls, and worth mentioning are the popular Ditsch stalls, selling Pretzels and other hot foods.

Mainz also has many parts where old buildings from before the war are still standing. These are filled with boutiques, and restaurants, and there is a lovely romantic atmosphere to them.

The Rhine

The Rhine is the longest river in Europe, and stretches over 1320km. It's a very important landmark in Germany, and Mainz is situated right on it!

There are many castles situated along the bank of the Rhine, and they all have a unique history. Particularly noticeable is Stolzenfels Palace, near Koblenz.

• Loreley is a lump of slate 130m high, with a legend about a blond nymph who sat on top and lured sailors into the rocks with her siren song. It has beautiful surroundings, and it definitely photo-worthy.

Festivals

Throughout the year, over 40 festivals take place, making Mainz a brilliant centre of German culture.

Places to Visit

• The Gutenberg Museum includes a printed original of the Gutenberg Bible, a guided tour, a working model printing press, a film, an exhibition and a gift shop. It is brilliant for anybody, but is especially suited for groups.
• St. Stephens Church has stained glass windows by the renowned Marc Chagall. They are beautiful and very original, so if you're in Mainz, you should definitely take a look!

Mainz Carnival Museum is an exhibition that displays some of the remarkable and colorful history of Mainz. Like a carnival without the crowds, and will definitely color your stay!

Shopping

For the shoppers amongst you, be warned this is a shopper's paradise and you will spend much more than what you want too. The main area, Oxford Street with over 300 shops, is sure to keep you entertained for days never mind hours. There is a good selection of shops specializing in many products including ladies, men and children's fashion, sports, accessories, electronic, toys, jewelery, music, and home ware. Some of these shops are more expensive than others but there are many bargains available, it is just a case of finding them. Be sure to check out massive stores such as Selfridges, House of Frazer and John Lewis. For a little more exquisite shopping jump on the tube and go to Knightsbridge where you will find the famous Harrods, and you never know what celebrity you may bump into while browsing. Covent garden is another great shopping area and you will find many brand shops each such as Diesel, Miss Sixty, Guess and Replay.

Sights to Behold

It is hard to know where to start under sights, I have still to see many of these myself but I will consider some of the main highlights. Madame Tussauds is the place to go if you like celebrities and here you can see clones of Kate Moss, Drew Barrymore, Jim Carey, Justin Timberlake and many others. Why not take a trip on the London Eye and see views of most of London including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and River Thames. London Zoo is another great highlight where they now have a tropical bird exhibit. You should also check out the Tower of London and the British Museum.

Theater

I would never consider myself an arts person but no visit to London is complete without a trip to the theatre. There are many shows at all times of the year, and you can purchase tickets online or at one of the many ticket offices in central London. Shows are on in the afternoon and at night and the majority of theatres can be found in the Leicester Square area. Recently I went to see Dirty Dancing and I would definitely recommend it. I have also seen Mamma Mia previously and enjoyed it also.

Transport

It is unbelievably easy to get around London at anytime of the day or night. They have an excellent tube service and you can buy a day ticket for relatively cheap and stop off wherever you want. Tubes run for at least 18 hours of the day, and go daily so they are always available. There is also an excellent bus service which runs around the majority of London. From the airports you can either get a train, taxi or an express train service which takes you into the central of London in around 30 minutes.

If you are thinking about going to London I would suggest you plan your trip early and order some of your tickets online to save money. An important point is that you may not get to see everything first time around but this gives you a fantastic excuse to visit again in the future.

Berlin also caters to each and every individual’s budget, from Designer clothing to cheaper markets and shops. Although there are hundreds of small businesses and shops located throughout Berlin, there are four main centers that provide the main retail essence of the city.

The Potsdamer Platz Arcades have been recently built at the heart of Berlin and offer a wide range of shopping needs. The Plaza contains around 120 shops that include; clothing, furniture, utensils, restaurants, wineries and many more. This Plaza has become famous for its wide range of Designer clothing with brands such as Eddie Bauer, H &M, Hallhuber, Mango, Zara and many more. When you’ve finished shopping, you can sit and relax at the many fountains spread throughout the center or sit down at one of the many restaurant areas for a meal with friends and family. Not only will you be able to search the three floored center for many great bargains, but you will also be able to see just how the ‘New Centre’ has developed and look at historical sites showing the history of the bombings that took place in the area.

Friedrichstrasse is perhaps the most beautiful and elegant of shopping centers within Berlin. It contains three sections that all incorporate into one fantastic and sublime center for the modern shopper. But be warned, these centers are for the upper end of the market, and with stores such as Gucci and Armani, it may be difficult to shop for cheaper items. Nonetheless, I suggest at least taking a look at the Plaza and enjoy the art deco atmosphere, which you can’t help but feel inspired by. The Shopping centre can be found between the two underground stations, Stadtmitte and Französische Strasse.

Kurfuerstendamm and Tauentzienstrasse are the two areas that have converged to become a ‘shopping mile’ within the Capital. This amazing stretch of shops creates the perfect family day out with goods for every member of the family. You can find an amazing diversity in styles and fashion as well as in price categories. It is in this area that the Europa centre can be found, and with it, a selection of over 100 shops to choose from. Rather than being specialised shops or large retail names, these shops focus on souvenirs and collectables with a diverse magnitude of children’s products. The famous KADEWE center can also be found here which provides a vibrant, and more importantly, tasty cuisine for all ages.

Hackescher Markt is the place to visit if you’re into the Café culture and shopping for less ‘mainstream’ products. The Market has been a developing site for new businesses and booming industries since the 50’s and is now home to the classic stalls and antique areas. The Market area is rife with Bohemian atmosphere and would appeal to the older; perhaps more intellectual person as its shopping market focuses on cultural fashion ranging from extraordinary shoes to fashion from young designers. Well known for its flair and diversity for casual items and jewellery, this area of Berlin is most certainly a place to visit. The market has its own train station so is easily accessible from all areas of central Berlin.

Other than these four main shopping areas of Berlin, you may wish to travel slightly away from the center of the city and explore other domains. In areas on the outer edge of the city, many second hand shops are located that provide very reasonable prices for a variety of clothing types. From young to old, these shops will have what you’re looking for in some shape or form.

One last area that I would advise to visit is that of Hackesche Höfe. Although this area is not as specialised for high commercial goods in Berlin, it does integrate a vibrant shopping atmosphere with many lively events during the later evening. This is a must see as there are many events that take place such as Carnivals and Market places.

Glasgow is not the gritty, working-class metropolis of legend. It never was, and there are many attractions and things to do in this Mecca of the North.

Glasgow, in fact, is one of the UK's most visited cities. It hosted the Great Exhibitions of 1888 and 1901, became an industrial powerhouse in the twentieth century, and has returned as a place of culture since the Second World War. The city hosted the popular Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988, and was designated European City of Culture in 1990. In 1996, it hosted a spectacular Festival of Visual Arts. More than two million tourists visit from within the UK and from Europe and more distant areas every year.

The Old and the New

Glasgow is home to many of Scotland's principal performing arts organisations:

• The Scottish Opera
• The Scottish Ballet
• The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
• The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
• The Citizen's Theatre

In addition, there are many new small and "experimental" venues and lively pubs and clubs, especially clustering around the Glasgow centers of learning. Since the city's first university was established in 1451, Glasgow has been hailed as a powerful seat of learning. Lord Kelvin, Adam Smith and James Watt are just some of history's great thinkers associated with the city's academic past. Today's educational establishments include:

• The University of Glasgow
• Strathclyde University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• The Royal Scottish Academy of Music
• Glasgow School of Art
• College of Commerce
• College of Building and Printing
• College of Food Technology
• Glasgow Hotel School (Strathclyde University)

Visitors are often surprised to learn that Glasgow has the largest retail sector outside of London. Residents and visitors from around the UK and overseas are drawn to the city's expanding shopping outlets, which include:

• Shopping malls like the chic and trendy Princes Square, the enormous St Enoch Centre, Sauchiehall Street Centre, Parkhead Forge, the historical Argyle Arcade, and the Buchanan Galleries (opened 1999)
• The main pedestrian shopping thoroughfares of Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street. .
• The unique and colorful Barras weekend street market
• The smaller, character filled outlets of the city's bohemian West End
• A wide range of top class cafés, restaurants, pubs and wine bars

The city of Glasgow is proud of its tough industrial past and current vibrant economy. The city employs City Centre Representatives to help shoppers and visitors around the city, and a comprehensive City Watch close-circuit TV scheme keeping a watchful eye on the streets.

 

The Omni provides very easy accessibility to the Downtown Mall's west end. It is also only one mile from the Amtrak station

Another form of lodging you may wish to consider is The South Street Inn. The Inn is a couple blocks from the downtown mall. The Inn is comprised of two antebellum houses and provides a very traditional southern exterior. A gourmet-style continental breakfast is a bonus of your stay at The South Street Inn. There is also wine tasting and cheese sampling offered in the afternoon. The only stipulation is a two day minimum on weekends.

The town of Charlottesville is fairly easy to access. You may fly into Charlottesville at Albemarle Airport which is off Route 29 North of town or into Richmond International Airport. Charlottesville is approximately one hour away from the Richmond International Airport. So as you can see, reaching your weekend destination is easy as you have several options of which to select.

Now that we have demonstrated accessible routes as well as sleeping accommodations into the city, it is time to provide a rundown of many of the unique sites and shops in store for any weekend visitor to the city.

First it is important to note, the day to “weekend” shop in Charlottesville is on Saturday as on Sunday most of the unique and quaint shops where you want to visit are closed.

Initially you will want to begin your day with a great cup of “java.” Such a cup of brew may be readily attained at the Mudhouse conveniently located in the Downtown Mall's west end. The address of the establishment is 213 West Main Street. Remember to place it on your Saturday morning itinerary. Also, you might as well grab a muffin while you are visiting the Mudhouse location as a nice compliment to your coffee.

The next stop is Quince located just four blocks south of Mudhouse. There you are in store for a terrific selection of “Mitchell Gold” and “Bob Williams” fabrics and furniture. The preceding items may be ordered through the store. The shop also offers “Dransfield and Ross” pillows for the shopper who likes “plushy” comfort: You'll find pillows accessorized with fur buttons and decorative trim. All in all, the fine furnishings and accessories offered at Quince have a contemporary look and theme.

2 French Hens is decorated in revamped and revitalized 20th Century furniture. This is the charm of the store. Here you may find a delightful display of French-inspired antiquities and furnishings. In addition, there are 1920s and 30s inspired French fonts that may be used for the purpose of especially monogramming the store linens that you may purchase. You'll find the store located in a renovated warehouse at 310 Second Street Southeast. Also, before you take your trip to Charlottesville you may want to peruse their website.

Sun Bow Trading Company was established just a little over twenty-five years ago and offers Turkish and Asian Rugs and Fabrics. The items are hand selected from villages in Turkey and Asia. There are hand woven offerings as well as vegetable dyed floor coverings. The selection is unique as well as diverse and the visit is well worth it. You may find the shop conveniently located in Charlottesville at 110 South Street West.  

Artifacts, as the name suggests, provides the shopper with antique finds as well as out-of-the-ordinary accessories. The visit will serve to enhance your overall shopping experience. You may find them at 109 First Street South in Charlottesville.

Lushlife can be found while you are traveling on the east end of the Downtown Mall. There you will find the “Tricia Guild” line of home accessories and “Pine Cone Hills” vintage look linens for the bed. There are nine bedding lines offered at the shop including Anichini and Fig. In addition the location displays accent tableware and very “cool” pottery items. The address is located at 309 East Water Street.

The New Dominion Bookshop was established in 1924 and specializes in architectural books. There are also book signings by various authors. You may request a “signed copy” of John Grisham's latest novel as he lives just outside of Charlottesville. There are also many offerings of literature for the children in your life.  When visiting Charlottesville they are located at 404 East Main Street.

After shopping for awhile, you may enjoy some contemporary American fine dining at Hamiltons at First and Main. The crab cakes are highly recommended.

Rock Paper Scissors shows wares of stationery, gift wrap and desk accessories. You will not be disappointed with this visit. The establishment is located at 110 Second Street, N.E. 

If you happen to be a fashion-minded shopper then Elsie Garden is the place to visit for Women's clothing items and accessories. The shop displays items before most looks become fashionable. The address is: 219 West Main.

La Bastides is another retailer you may wish to consider when visiting Charlottesville. The shop is located at 2214 Ivy Road. Here you will find gifts not found anywhere else. Items include hand blown glass from Vermont's Simon Pearce and Scotland's Lindean Mill. There are also leather journals for travel and entertaining. 

Kenny Ball Antiques is a shopping choice of many D.C. and New York designers. The shop replaces European furnishings often as a result of frequent buying trips to the location by many well-known designers. The address of Kenny Ball Antiques is: 2125 Ivy Road.

And George follows an international theme. You will need to travel several miles west down Ivy Road in order to reach the retailer. The address is: 3465 Ivy Road. 

The Barn Swallow located at 5726 Ivy Rose Lane and is filled with accessories such as: pottery, blown glass, jewelry, primitive antiques and unusual furnishings. Check out their unique wares here.

Now it is time to head back downtown for cocktails-that is should you enjoy a before dinner cocktail. A great place to indulge in a libation or two is the Blue Light Grill and Raw Bar. The establishment is conveniently located at 120 East Main Street.

Dinner may be taken at C & O Restaurant located at 515 East Water Street. The brick façade is reminiscent of the building's railroad origins; however, a top-rate dining experience is to be found once inside.

Timberlake's Drug Store is another “historical type” site located in the downtown area. The Downtown pharmacy has a real lunch counter in the back.

If you are looking for the best local “dive,” then look no further than Riverside Lunch. Stop here if you have a “hankering” for burgers and beer.

The best place for vintage-type items in the area is Circa. The retail store offers a variety of antiques. The address is 1700 Allied Street in Charlottesville.

In conclusion, Charlottesville, with all of its charm, unique shops, restaurants and offerings is one weekend you will soon not forget.

The Mall at Shelter Cove

Hilton Head's grand dame of upscale shopping is The Mall at Shelter Cove. Located on Hwy 278 at Mile marker 8, the mall boasts a collection of high-end store and primarily has a clientele of selective shoppers with a lot of money to spare. The Mall at Shelter Cove houses pricy stores such as lingerie giant, Victoria's Secret, Ann Taylor and Off Fifth/ Saks Fifth Avenue stores to name a few. Visit www.mallatsheltercove.com for more information or call 843.842.6050 for more information.

Coligny Plaza

Located on Pope Avenue at the south end of Hilton Head, Coligny Plaza offers over 60 shops that include apparel stores, gift shops, specialty shops, hardware stores and boutiques. And when you get hungry from all the energy you have burned up shopping here, Coligny Plaza comes complete with 19 eateries: restaurants, sandwich shops, cafes, bars and grills and bakeries among others, to rejuvenate you between shopping breaks. For more information on shopping in Coligny Plaza visit www.colignyplaza.com or call 843.686.3090.

Tangier Outlet Center

Bargain hunting is the name of the game at Tangier Outlet Center. So, if you're looking for low priced items or a great sale, Tangier Outlet Center is the place to shop on Hilton Head. This favorite shopping hotspot houses two separate centers with over 100 outlet stores, selling adult and children's apparel, household items and specialty and normal jewels and much more.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to shop at Tangiers Outlet Center, besides here you can also purchase an eclectic mix of accessories in Hilton Head, ranging from the traditional luxurious pearls to unique trinkets such as shark's teeth, all while you rejoice in all the items you got for such a low cost to your credit card. Visit www.tangeroutlet.com or call 336-292-3010 for more information.

The Village at Wexford

For shopping with a twist, mark The Village at Wexford on your Hilton Head shopping map. Stores include: Needlepoint Junction, The Jazz Corner, Smith's Galleries, The Scents of Hilton Head and Patricia's of Hilton Head Boutique to name a few of the 33 stores at The Village at Wexford. There are plenty of chances to get your unique shopping adventure started, so don't hesitate to visit this shoppers' delight. Visit www.villageatwexford.com for information.

The Pineland Station Mall

The Pineland Station Mall is another must stop venue for shopping in Hilton Head. Located on Hwy. 278 and Mathews Drive, the mall offers 30 stores comprising boutiques, gift stores, apparel stores, art and crafts stores, Hilton Head heritage stores and jewel stores. Visit www.pinelandstationmall.com or call 843-681-8907 for more information.

No matter what your taste or budget for spending is, you are guaranteed to find something that suits you when you shop in Hilton Head. So what are you waiting for? Visit Hilton Head, South Carolina today and start your own treasured shopping experience.

The first thing I noticed was how incredibly difficult it can be to get to New York from Oklahoma City. Apparently, there are no direct flights - at least, not on the airline we flew, and certainly not with the free tickets a very dear friend provided. We left home at dark-thirty in the morning, and took advantage of a four-hour layover in Chicago to have lunch at Navy Pier. Eventually, we landed in what I thought was a suburb of New York City, the way Moore is a suburb of Oklahoma City, a little place called Islip, Long Island.

In my Oklahoma mind, everything "up north" is just a cab ride away. Need to get from Connecticut to Rhode Island? Take a cab! Need to get from Long Island to Manhattan? Take a cab! Oh, and better take a credit card with no limit. A cab ride from Long Island to Manhattan is $150. Apparently, in the civilized world of the East Coast, people take trains. Well cool, I thought. A train! I haven't ever been on a train (except for the subway ride in Chicago for lunch, earlier that day).

Did you know that commuter trains run on electric tracks, even in the middle of a thunderstorm? Neither did I. Did you know that some commuter trains go underwater to reach their destination? You did? Well, let me tell you, it was a shock to this poor, claustrophobic, water-phobic and now train-phobic little Okie.

So okay - we made it into Manhattan and took yet another train, called a subway (did you know those are actually underground? You did?). The subway dumped us and our eleven-hundred pieces of absolutely essential luggage "near" our hotel, according to the map. "Near" our hotel, in New York-speak, is within ten city blocks. In the rain. Wearing three-inch heels. I know, I know - that was dumb. But hey, I don't travel much. I wanted to look nice on the plane!

But we made it! Suddenly, I looked up and Times Square was right there , in full, living, neon color. Holy cow! This leads me to the next thing I noticed about New York; despite what we've all been told, New Yorkers are very, very nice people. Not a single person spit on me, hit me, or even said something to offend my delicate sensibilities as I lurched down the sidewalk, dragging luggage and banging other pedestrians in the process. Everyone smiled and made way for us and didn't seem to mind the bruises at all.

The next morning, we hit the streets. Once again, I looked around, and it was still here! I was in the real deal, the big city, good golly, I was in Gotham. Patrick, being the planner that he is, had made what he referred to as a suggested itinerary, which in reality means that he had planned our day in fifteen-minute increments. I was willing to go along with all this, and then we turned the corner and probably for the first time in my life, I looked up at a street sign, just to see where I was.

I have a difficult time breathing even now, just remembering and reliving that glimmering moment in my mind, the moment I realized that I was standing on 5 th Avenue. Oh, manna from Heaven, oh, praise the retail gods, I have seen Mecca and I will never be the same.

Oh, how my heart pounded! My pupils dilated, I had a hard time breathing, and I know that Patrick thought I had surely lost what little was left of my mind. Chanel! Tiffany! Gucci! Oh, be still my heart! At one point, I realized that my mouth was very, very dry. Since we'd just had breakfast, I was a bit surprised to find myself so thirsty, until I walked by a large plate glass window and saw my reflection. My mouth was, literally and no joke, hanging open. I was gawking . I looked like a person with some horrible, unnameable disease….and then I saw it.

Prada.

I forgot my aching, blistered feet. I forgot to breathe. I forgot to stop at the intersection and I think I forgot Patrick. Prada - the land of shoe dreams. Prada, *gasp* having a monstrous (albeit it a discreet monstrosity) sale. On shoes. Prada shoes, 75% off. I was, at that moment, glad we had finally written our will, because I was quite sure I would die on the spot. I whizzed through the store like a dervish, screeched myself upstairs to the sale shoes, and promptly fell in love with the most beautiful, the most impractical, the most I-must-have-it-or-cease-breathing stiletto-heeled pump in the known universe. Did I mention it was 75% off?

Did I mention that my size was not available? Oh, coulda, shoulda, Prada.

I've been to New York. My life may never be the same.

There were five of us from our family on this trip. Our son had joined us as had my parents. They had decided to forgo the pleasures of shopping though my Mum did put in an order for sandals. Since she and I take the same size shoe that would be no problem. So Steve and I set off.

Past the Chinese equivalent of the fast foods where the aroma was a heady mix of Asian spices, cooking smells and body odor - not offensive just noticeable. And around the corner. This place was definitely open for business.

There was the inevitable distraction of baby clothes. Our first grandchild was about to be born so she was at the top of our shopping list. Cute dresses (the pink corduroy dress with the white lace blouse was absolutely adorable), and pretty silk pants and tops were the most difficult to ignore.

But attention had to be paid to what had become the main purpose of this shopping trip - the sandals. The first five shops did not have the style we wanted but the sixth one came up trumps. They had the right style in the right size in a nice color. And so the negotiations started.

- “200 yuan.”

This was clearly way over priced. From our previous observations and conversations with others we were expecting to pay 70 yuan.

- “Oh No,” with much shaking of the head, “too much, too much - 20 yuan.”

- “No No,” arms moving randomly at great speed finally pointing to the object under discussion. “This quality see see,” attempting to demonstrate his point. “Quality - 150 yuan.”

- “No No much too much,” this time I added waving hands to the head shaking routine. “50 yuan”

- “Okay, okay, for you special price 100 yuan.”

- “70 yuan,” delivered with a no nonsense voice.

- “90 yuan”.

- “70 yuan,” delivered with the same no nonsense voice. We have reached our limit. And he knows it.

- “Okay, 70 yuan.”

Cheerfully he places our purchase into a plastic bag and we hand over the money. With smiles all round we depart his shop and head back the the hotel.

Mum is pleased with her new walking sandals, so much so that Dad decides he would like a pair too. So it is back to the market place with Dad in tow. We head back to the same shop and find a pair that fit.

- “200 yuan.”

- “No way. The last pair cost us 70 yuan. We want the same price.”

He smiled. “Okay, 70 yuan.”

Sandals safely secured in a plastic bag, Dad decides a pair of shorts and a shirt would be a good idea. With the help of a lovely Chinese lady we purchase these items. Somewhere in the midst of all this activity I decide I too want a pair of shorts.

Using gestures rather than words I managed to convey that I wanted a pair of shorts for me. Our lovely lady produced a pair that I instantly knew were too small.

- “Bigger, bigger,” with arms trying desperately to convey my message.

But this is to no avail as she continues to hold out the same pair of shorts. Further entreaties on my part to get a bigger pair are wasted as she indicates she wants me to try these on over the top of my trousers right there in the street. Seeing no way out I agree, stepping into the shorts as she holds them out for me.

By this time we have attracted a large audience. I am laughing as are the twenty or so locals who have gathered to watch our very earnest sales lady try to pull the shorts up over my derrière. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts she too sees the humor in the situation.

- “Ah,” she giggles. “Bigger, bigger.”

- “Yes bigger bigger”, I laugh.

A quick flurry into a pile of garments produces a bigger pair of shorts that fit perfectly. The price negotiation was quick and the sale completed with ease.

Saying goodbye to the crowd that had now nearly doubled in size, we headed back to the hotel. Wow did we have a story to tell our fellow travelers.