markets | Hand Luggage.

Traditional Portuguese market

Posted on December 4, 2016 by collymarples

Next up on our Portuguese jaunt are of a traditional market in Cascais.

First up we sample a sweet regional speciality – Ginjinha or simply Ginja. It’s a portuguese liqueur made by infusing ginja berries, (sour cherry) in alcohol and adding sugar together with other ingredients.

It’s served in an adorable little chocolate cup – here the man and I sample one, or two.

Then we have a wander around the market. Cascais holds various themed markets each month and we happened upon a traditional Portuguese one.

Stall holders donned traditional dress and demonstrated traditional skills such as pot throwing.

Colourful fruit and flowers are piled high in Cascais’s indoor market.

Traditional meat and cheeses are just some of the produce on display.

Some slightly more slimy locals can be found in the form of nets full of snails.

Final shot of the day is this veteran tradesman taking a break from the painstaking labour of hand weaving the seats of these chairs.

More market malarky

Posted on January 21, 2016 by collymarples

We head deeper into the barely contained chaos that is Palermo’s Capo market.

Beset on all sides by jewel bright vegetables, slimy snails and red raw animal heads!

Note how the man looks supremely defensive on all the photos with hands securely over any valuables – markets are prime pickpocketing areas so beware.

Briefly seeking sanctuary from the hubbub on the street we dip into a serene little chapel for a few blissful moments of peace.

Then it’s back into the commotion to check out pomegranates, saucy peppers and smoking stall holders.

As well as the street stalls there are little shops tucked into alcoves that give glimpses of the daily life of the city. Here Sicilians queue for fresh meat and cheeses.

Further on we come across more of the fishmongers and their shiny catch. This gentleman wielded his large knives with impunity when hacking up swordfish steaks!

Here’s one of the unlucky fish in all its glory – I love all the details on the wall behind it too.

Moving on from chopped up fishes we find more rainbow bright vegetables including all these different types of tomatoes.

At odds with his healthy stock, this stall holder puffs away on his ciggy!

It’s just an orgy of colour and shape and sounds. I might have got snapper’s RSI!

Bearing that in mind I’ll finish up with a glut of colourful shots from the rest of Capo.

Sculptural squashes in a range of delicate oranges and greens provide a naturally pretty display.

Dried fish preserved in salt sit alongside garlic bulbs,wine and characterful stall holders.

Here’s a final look at one of the intricate religious posters that plaster the walls.

More markets

Posted on December 4, 2015 by collymarples

Back in Catania we head for one of the colourful local markets. Of course I lead the way, camera in hand, while the man needs a caffeine fortification!

We see some gorgeous, almost sculptural vegetables. We are not too sure what this particular one is, it could be Kohlrabi.

Delicate blush pink artichokes could almost pass as pretty floral bouquets.

Below is some vivid purple cauliflower or Cavolfiore to be all Italian about it.

As well as the mountains of rainbow bright veg there’s the usual collection of nuts and dried fruits.

I love secretly snapping the stall holders as they go about their business! (slightly creepy I know)

All manner of salad leaves are piled high. Below Cestino Di Rucola (roughly translates as basket of arugula – a type of salad rocket)

This stall holder is almost dwarfed by his impressive pumpkin display.

Less tasty are the slimy snails that still writhe and tumble over each other!

Bags of spices, mountains of string beans and meat and cheese.

There’s also non edible things for sale from incense sticks to colourful rugs and garish fake flowers.

More bags of nuts, pumpkins and aubergines so shiny that they look polished.

Fresh fish are carefully displayed on mountains of crushed ice.

Knock off perfumes, plump little mushrooms and more spices.

Rounded off with a few more of the impressive purple cauliflowers.

Colourful Capri stalls

Posted on March 11, 2015 by collymarples

Still shifting through the past few years worth of photos in search of favourite market piccies. Here’s a myriad of colourful delights from the gorgeous little island of Capri.

From the obvious Italian pastas to the island’s preocupation with lemons, there are so many lovely little knick knacks.

There are also lots of incredible painted tiles decorating all the shop fronts. Below are some of the succulent local produce and my personal favourite trip souvenirs – fridge magnets!

But far and away the most prevalent item to be found on the island is the lemon! from soap to liqueur, perfume to magnets.

It’s thought that citrus fruits arrived in Capri in the tenth century, and they have characterized the colors and perfume of the island ever since.

The lemon, originally used as an ornamental plant, was subsequently used for its superb juice and the essential oils extracted from its peel.

Famous throughout the world, the lemon liqueur “Limoncello”, is best served chilled.The lemon of Capri, known as “femminiello”, has a long elliptical form and medium dimensions.

Another lovely present to bring home are the painted tiles and the little espresso cups for supping the strong Italian coffee.

If we had more room in our cases we could fit a few of these glorious paintings in there. The shop is barely noticeable beneath a wealth of local scenes.

Alternatively you could indulge your tastes for all things ceramic!

Olive oil bottles, utensil trays or even tiny celestial bodies. You can find virtually anything in pot form.

Thai markets

Posted on March 1, 2015 by collymarples

Thailand is a veritable market heaven and I always get a little bit giddy and carried away with them!

Apologies to any “regular” readers (!) as you’ve probably seen a fair few of my Thai holiday pics fairly recently . . . but here’s a bit of a recap of some of my fav market pics from our two Thailand adventures.

Sweet treats in Chaing Mai, dried mushrooms and crispy duck are just some of items on sale in Bangkok’s China town district.

Oooh piles of dried unidentifable food stuffs! My favourite!

Gorgeous splashes of colour from hill tribe crafts in Chiang Mai, fresh greens in Chiang Rai and a patient market seller.

Peacock finery and real feather dusters are on offer from this street trader on a dusty back street in Chiang Mai’s Warorot Market.

It’s a favourite place for locals to trade and haggle and is very different to the usual tourist orientated night market and walking markets.

Freshly prepared street food is on offer on every single street corner, under bridges and underpasses and by the side of every road. Even in the darkest, most inhospitable seeming spot you’ll find street hawkers.

The markers couldn’t function without the tireless efforts of the sellers themselves however. Forever wheeling, carrying, baking, steaming, cooking and freezing their wares.

Once again I feel the need to share one of my all time favourite snaps – traditional Thai icecreams in a multitude of flavours in these delightful little metal moulds.

You really can buy anything, including these unfortunate little critters . . . ready marked up for sale.

A few more seller snaps, from this epic super sized cart, a woman selling what appear to be little boobies and the amulet market close to Wat Po.

Here’s a few more captured creatures all wiggling, squirming and generally trying to make a bid for freedom.

And a final trio of hard working market traders to conclude this particular romp through a few Thai markets.

Always worth a nice long browse while in the land of smiles.