Couleurs D'Asie

Our bespoke Indonesian batik dresses. Pick the fabric and Viviane and her crew will make it fit just right. If you find yourself in Vientiane, make sure you stop at Couleur d'Asie for a custom made outfit!

Sunday Walking Street

I must have said cute at least a million times while walking through this weekly market. That's probably because the items for sale are one of kind and cater to the Asian sensibility combining clean and simple presentation/packaging, mini, bite-sized portions and craftiness that doesn't scream grandma-crocheted-it-for-the-church-flea-market.  

The Sunday Walking Street Market in Chiang Mai has become an institution and is completely packed with tourists and locals alike. Many of the of the vendors have other jobs during the week and use this market to showcase their skills. Again, food takes center stage whether you peruse the temple stalls or ones on the main drag. But if you're looking for unique handicrafts, this is the place to shop. 

The market begins with the entire street stopping for the national anthem. This is then followed up by an announcement that smoking and drinking (alcohol) is strictly forbidden in the market streets. 

Dive into one of the temples for stall after stall of food and take a seat for a massage when the shopping gets overwhelming. 

 Have your quail eggs fried, boiled or in a mushroom omelette. 

 

 

Mix and match sushi is self-serve. Pick up some tongs and fill that plastic box to your raw fish heart's desire. 

If only we were headed home already, I would have stocked up on a rainbow selection of these shoes.

Are these not the most adorable steamed buns you've ever seen???!!!

My sweet tooth went into overdrive with the choices being offered: 

Crunchy crepe with marshmallow

Rice-coconut milk "marzipan"

Mini pancakes with pandan filling

Mango sticky rice

The strangest ice-cream I've ever eaten - Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream in a rubber "egg". They massage the egg, cut off the tip and you suck the ice cream out of the "nipple". I was slightly embarrassed eating this and accidentally squirted some on Alex (once you start eating it, the rubber deflates like a balloon) but it is certainly an original way to deliver ice cream. 

While you're stuffing your face, don't forget to enjoy the entertainment. Every five feet brings a blind singer or band and young girls in costume playing various instruments. There's even a man who will take an existing photo, draw it on his iPad and e-mail you the drawing.

And if you're just not sure what to get that friend back home, well, here's an idea that comes in a variety of sizes.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

If you've been following this blog, you know by now my obsession with markets. It's not that I love shopping. A market, particularly in Africa or Asia is a sheer sensory experience. I love the experience of being in a market, taking part in a local necessity. My friend Sharon told us not to miss the Chatuchak Weekend Market. And by the looks of the crowds it seems like no one (neither locals nor tourists) in Bangkok misses it. 

Clothing, from new to vintage to hill-tribe traditional is the main product for sale. Sections and sois of it go on forever. Other interesting sections are the live animals (fish and bugs) and of course, food stalls galore.

It was so hot, an old fashioned fan stall was a relief. Don't forget to pick up your 5 Baht ($0.15) popsicles to help cool off!

For those of you who continue to cling to your iPhone 3Gs, don't fret. They can get a make over with a new case for 100 Baht ($3.25). Here's mine, still alive, well and sporting a new cover.

Alex had a field day in this section. We had to pick her up (literally) kicking and screaming because she didn't want to leave. You can find every fish, turtle, and other fish tank inhabitants as well as accompanying accessories such as plants (real or plastic, depending on your preference) here.

Just in case you feel like you're not getting enough protein in your diet, come to the insect section. Have it your way: take them alive to cook at home or ready to eat, deep-fried. 

We skipped the bugs for some BBQ, crab fried rice and an icy fruit shake. 

Other tempting treats on offer...

Custom made soup

Hot dogs on white bread and grilled in a salamander

Squid on a stick

Fresh cut fruit, always the best snack

Fresh coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell

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