In my crazed planning for PANDA I was wondering what previous travelers would suggest are the best shopping spots; what to buy where; how much (approximately) to pay; and any unique and/or fun things to bring home for friends. :lct:

Well, there was that beautiful pink pashmina that Arlene said she got in HK, I think.

tiny packages of Kleenex at Watson's in HK. Can't get them in the US.

tall zip-able suitcases from Singapore - about $15-$20 at any of the luggage dealers at Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road.

copy bags in Shanghai - also ipods (lots of the staff stocked up on them) and copy Tiffany jewelry - mostly silver - in the now indoor discount mall. Also pashminas and Tommy Bahama shirts. The ship had a shuttle there on the WC.

Peggy

Shopping in HK, Shanghai and Bangkok the Best - we just strolled around but Voyager provided suggestions for HK - I have great pearls from HK and sorry I would not spring $$$ for Judith Leiber knock offs -

Laurie, no real recommendations for Japan. We are hoping to get some laquerware in Kyoto or Nagasaki. I think a tea set or chopstick sets, if you would use them, are very inexpesive and beautiful.

Hong Kong go to Stanley Market (where Arlene got the pashima) and Jade Market. Even if not best quality, the price is right. I understand electronics are good but you have to know what you are doing. I am looking forward to Shanghai after hearing all the stories.

I think the best shopping is in Shanghai. 2nd best is in Beijing. I gave Ngaire and Olivia names and addresses (in Chinese so you just show it to the taxi driver). Hong Kong is expensive compared to those two cities. Things are a'changing though....not as many good deals in 2007 as we got in 2005 but still good.

I still have drawer full of large leather key rings Hermes...$2 Shanghai - they are winners here for gifts

The rice paper wallets in Japan. They are around $5 apiece and beautifully decorated. Difficult to find in the US.

Cheers, Anne

Prescription eyeglasses were the hot commodity when I went to HK years ago. So if you're in the market, take your prescription with you - it might payoff!

Happy Travels!
Gay Rie

Chinese good luck charms for gifts, friends loved them and they are still hanging from some pocketbooks 2 years later. We bought them at the Tao Temple in Hong Kong. Eightteen carat gold Bulgari knock off jewelry in Siagon, everyone thinks its real! Stainless steel and mother of pearl flatware in Bangkok, beautiful. Just walk the streets there and you will find treasures. We did more shopping on the Hong Kong to Singapore WC segments both times than any other trip we have made. Oh would I love to be going with you all, have a great time...lots and lots of seamail please. :D just a little green with envy!!

Faux gold medals for the Beijing olympics available around Tianiman Square for $1-$2. Big hit with children.

Cheers, Anne

We're spending a few days in Hong Kong before boarding the Mariner in Oct. Can anyone recommend good restaurants to visit?
Jim

Marc,

How about a kimono? Does anyone really wear them? Any good places in Tokyo or Kyoto to get one?

I'll second Jim's question...dining suggestions for Hong Kong are most welcome.

Anne,
Tell me more about the rice paper wallets, they sound very interesting.

We found ALL the restaurants in Hong Kong to be wonderful, Jim! One of our favorites is Spring Deer on Mody Road in Kowloon. Ask your conceirge for directions.

Two eyeglass/opticians in the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong were very good and much less expensive than stateside. One on the lower level and one on the second floor in the shopping arcade. Yes, bring your prescription and they will have the glasses ready in 24 hours! All the wonderful designer frames are there...at about half price!

Each time Tom goes to Japan (he is leaving on Labor Day) I ask him to buy me some delicious cookies called Yoku Moku - they are so YUMMY (and of course fat free)! :p

If you get the variety package it makes a wonderful gift and/or treat! :)

Lauri - Here's a website showing an illustration of the rice paper wallets. They last about 8-9 months so long as they are not overstuffed. I love 'em - they are large enough to hold different sizes of currency while travelling.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/asianideas_1960_41029120


Hope that helps
Cheers, Anne

Thanks Anne, they do look very pretty.

Sue, I'm all for yummy cookies!

Too bad I just bought two new pairs of glasses; it sounds like I could have gotten a bargain. Maybe prescription sunglasses?

We also loved all the restaurants in Hong Kong but we would go back to Lei Garden in the IFC mall, and also Cusine Cusine in the mall. If you want a change Isola for lunch is also great, its Italian. Ye Shanghai is excellent, and I think there are two, one in the Harbour mall and one in Pacific Place. Also in Pacific Place is Zen, a very busy restaurant with no tourists when we were there. Yung Kee in central is also fun and good. We just loved eating in Hong Kong... we were there for a week each time.
In Hanoi we ate lunch at The Emperor and it was great.
Saigon was lunch at the Rex Hotel up on the roof.
Bangkok we had a fabulous lunch at the Tai restaurant at the Shangra La Hotel, if you have time don't miss it. We also had dinner there and sat outside by the river on one trip with some friends and all agreed it was great. Again I'm green with envy
:p Hope you will be reporting back to us...

Prescription sunglasses, yes, Lauri! And I find it so interesting...when you travel, and walk around the shops and street markets you discover so many things to buy that hadn't occurred to you previously! All of a sudden, there it is...something wonderful and charming at a great price that you just can't resist! Have fun!!

So true Bonnie! Shopping in their ports will be one great adventure - I would go back in a heartbeat - we loved Hong Kong, Bangkok and Shanghai shopping - oh the harbor at night in HK - for us, two segments of WC 34 nights was "our" WC and we have great memories - Joanna

Joanna, you just brought back one of my favorite memories of Hong Kong...that laser light show over the Harbor every night at 8pm... Awesome!

Bonnie Tony and I kept asking each other "are we really here this is so amazing!!??" we fell in love with HK

Arlene is going to have to have to tell you about the kimonos. It is not something you are going to want to get to wear; probably just for hanging on a wall. Arlene can give you info on places in Tokyo; I don't know what they are. She has limited internet access right now so it may be a little while until she posts.

Joanna and Bonnie, I agree. We could not believe we were really there the first time. Just walking the steets in Hong Kong is thrilling. It was our favorite trip. The laser light show around the harbor is beautiful. When we checked into the hotel on our first trip we walked into the room and they opened the drapes and there was the light show...what a first impression of Hong Kong. Oh how I wish we were going on Panda. We will return to that part of the world again...just not soon enough.

Oh how I wish we were going on Panda. We will return to that part of the world again...just not soon enough.

Same way I feel Doris :mecry: :mecry:

Doris, When my mom and I were in Bangkok in 94, it was the King's birthday. We were entertained with fireworks when we opened our drapes. All lights and drapes were connected to a box right by my bed. It was great fun to open and close the blinds from bed. Now that is the heighth of laziness. :D

I bought a beautiful embroidered red wedding kimono for one of my kids to use as a wall hanging. I don't remember how much I paid but nothing awful. Basically it goes on a long dowel and hangs like a (very big) picture.

Peggy

The wrapped kimono is really an amazingly small pacage - it will need some steaming/pressing when you get it home but it doesn't take up much room.

I love the idea of using a kimono as a wall hanging! The good luck charms sound great as well. I remember Arlene mentioning a temple book she bought which the monks in various temples will stamp. That seems like a very unique souvenier(sp).

I am so excited about Hong Kong, it's one of those places I've always wanted to see and everyone I've ever talked to who has been there has only wonderful things to say about it. I splurged on a harbor view room so I won't miss the light show.

I just can't wait!! <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Something else that makes nice gifts and are small and very easy to pack are the Closinet (spelling?) pieces (porcelain-coated bronze). They're multi colored and so beautiful. The small ones make nice Christmas tree ornaments too. We've bought dozens of them and everyone loves them.

Here is my favorite shopping "score" while we were in Hong Kong.

We stayed at the Peninsula and I was lusting after all the beautiful handbags in the various stores in the lobby.

I'm not the most practical gal in the world, but I'd rather take another RSSC cruise than pay what those bags actually cost.

On our last day I went to the Pharmacy in the bottom floor of the shopping complex in the Pen. They had some really nice knockoffs of the Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags.

I ended up getting 2 gorgeous bags for a fraction of the cost of the real thing. They are made in Italy and they are very, very nice.

If you go to the Peninsula for the tea you may want to stroll down to the Pharmacy and take a look.

Great tip!

I recommend carved Chinese signature "chops".

They make a wonderful souvenir gift as they are beautiful to look at and can be personalized with your name in Chinese. You can pick them up easily in Hong Kong. Many shops can carve your name in the bottom overnight or can mail them to you. (I've done it both ways).

They come in many sizes and shapes from small ones to something like a good sized paper-weight. Fun to get them in the sign of your birth year (year of the rat, snake, dragon etc.). Prices depend on size, intricacy of carving and type of stone.

I'm sure they are available in Shanghai (I was too busy touring to shop :( ) as well as Beijing.

Example of Chinese Chop
NY Times Article about chops

Don't forget to buy the red stamp ink!

Another great suggestion, girlfriend! :)

I thought you were coming along, I guess life just got too busy.

I cancelled to do a 17 day Chinese land trip and river cruise in September with my alumni assn.

Now, I'm not even doing that :mecry:

I'm sorry :mecry:

The article in the Times makes me want a chop even more!

My younger son was living in Singapore before his wedding, and for a unique groomsmens' gift, had chops made for all , accompanied by stationery. A big hit!

We will definitely miss you, Suzanne. :( My last 2 Regent cruises have been with you onboard!

Masaki

We will all miss you. Can Suzette join us? ;)

Lauri,

First, I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your question. Please forgive me, as I have been traveling for the last month and unable to post much.

Regarding Kimono, Yes, you can buy them in both Tokyo and Kyoto. If you want to buy one to wear, and yes women do wear them, you can. But... They are not very comfortable as you must sit and stand ramrod straight and take very small steps. Also, it can get expensive as there is so much you need to purchase in order to wear one properly. A nice NEW silk kimono with everything you need (see bleow) will run you a minimum of $700 and up if you purchase one from a department store. On the other had I have seen very nice USED ones here in Tokyo for $100 - $200, but that is just the Kimono. As they are quite expensive and worn only on special occasions (the really nice, fancy, embroidered ones, not every day ones)there is a big market for used Kimono. Keep in mind that if you want to wear one properly you will need the following: The Kimono itself, the robe that goes under it, the Obe (the "fabric wrapped around the waist that looks so pretty from behind), the two ties for the obe, the flat sandal / shoes, socks, and the hair ornament. I really think that buying everything to actually wear one would not be practical. I had always planned to get one to wear on one of the formal nights on PANDA, but once I realized what was involved I decided that that was not going to happen. I would have loved to do it, and really seriously considered it, but the big caveat is that you need someone to dress you in one, you cannot do it yourself. Here in Japan, if a woman does not have another woman to help her (her mother or a sister for instance) she would go to a hair salon, and they will dress you for a fee. One could probably manage the robe and Kimono, but the obe cannot be tied by the person wearing it. In addition, there are strict "proper" ways to tie the obe and you would need experience and training to do it. Given all of that, you probably won't be buying one to actually wear it. That being said, they are so beautiful that many people buy them to display as a wall hanging. In that case, in my opinion a used one is the way to go. I have not yet been to Kyoto, but my friends have told me that yes, you can buy used ones there. The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you are buying it to display it, you want to get one that is beautiful from the back as it is the back that is displayed, not the front. I fell in love with one a few months ago, and almost bought it, until I realized the really beautiful emboidered scenes were on the front and the back was relatively plain. I think they would be a really wonderful souvenir and they are easily displayed on a curtin rod hung on the wall. Another thing that would make a good souvenir are the obes. They are usually about 12 - 15 feet long, and extremely beatuiful. They make really nice table runners or scarves for a dresser or table. There is a caveat here too, in that there is many times (but not always) a section of about 2 -4 feet that is made of a less fancy and less expensive peice of fabric as that is the part that does not show when worn. You can usually pin it so that this part doesn't show. Sometimes both sides are the same and sometimes not. Many times the beautiful side will be silk and the back is a lesser type of fabric. If you want one that is the same on both sides you can get them the are just a bit more difficult to find and more expensive. In Tokyo, I have seen the used ones for between $50 and $200. I only have one which was new, silk and is emroidered with real gold thread and it cost me nearly $200. BUT... it is beautiful.

I hope this answers your questions. I will be happy to share my limited knowledge with you on the cruise as I am hoping to shop for Kimono and obe in Kyoto too.

Lauri,

I just realized you asked about my temple book. Yes, you will be able to get them at any of the temples and I think they make a really unique souvenir. You will be able to get one at most temples in Tokyo. Any tour guide SHOULD be able to help you purchase one and have it "signed". Let me know if you have more questions.

For those of you who are not familiar with them, this is a link to my blog entry where I described them:

http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Japan/Tokyo-Metropolis/blog-132228.html