Teakwood, textiles and tailoring, oh my! Southeast Asia delivers on both value and selection, whether it be brand name fashions at 3rd world prices or handmade crafts from the turn of the century. Listed below are my 5 top destinations for shopping. I think I can make it to 10...Note, these are not the most comfortable of tourist destinations. If you want to buy your teakwood and batiks in comfort, head to a local department store.
5. Bandung outlets, Indonesia
A number of western clothing lines have factories in Indonesia, such as Burberry, Zara and Nike. Some of these garments somehow make it out of the factory instead of traveling across the seas for their final destination at a mall. A number of stores have sprung up that sell this leakage. To be fair, I have not visited Bandung for 5 years. But when I did I bought a pair of Burberry capris for $5. But then I moved to Japan, gained weight from all of the rice I was eating--yes, you can get fat from Japanese food!--and the seams split. Game over.
4. Green Hills Market, Manila
Most denizens of Manila know Green Hills as a bargain shopping emporium. When I am in Manila I go here strictly for the pearls. And for the "antiques" which may or may not be old. Pearl vendors are arranged like spaces on a checkerboard and offer up bargain prices for high-quality pearls. South Sea pearls, which tend to be rounder and more luminous are also sold but fetch a higher price. If you visit it is good to write down the name of the vendors you like and obtain their cards. The vendors change places on a regular basis so you may never find their wares in the same spot.
3. Jat tu Jak market
Good for Thai souvenirs, modern home furnishing and clothes.
2. Bali
Bali may not have the rock-bottom prices of my #1 shopping destination but the variety and quality of the art, textiles, and antique are top notch. A society that cultivates artists combined with a tourist market = explosively creative modern and antique products. This ranges from cute wooden kitties on a couch. Bargain hunters for your run-of-the mill souvenirs should head to the Sukawati Art Market or the Denpasar market.
1. Yogyakarta
I am giving this a number one ranking for the value, quality and selection of Yogyakarta's market and many antique shops. This is where you buy your antique batiks, wayang kulit puppets and elegant hand-carved doors and beds. I will include Jepara in this category even if it is a day's travel away. This is where US home interior chains buy their outdoor furniture and some of their tables.
5. Bandung outlets, Indonesia
A number of western clothing lines have factories in Indonesia, such as Burberry, Zara and Nike. Some of these garments somehow make it out of the factory instead of traveling across the seas for their final destination at a mall. A number of stores have sprung up that sell this leakage. To be fair, I have not visited Bandung for 5 years. But when I did I bought a pair of Burberry capris for $5. But then I moved to Japan, gained weight from all of the rice I was eating--yes, you can get fat from Japanese food!--and the seams split. Game over.
4. Green Hills Market, Manila
Most denizens of Manila know Green Hills as a bargain shopping emporium. When I am in Manila I go here strictly for the pearls. And for the "antiques" which may or may not be old. Pearl vendors are arranged like spaces on a checkerboard and offer up bargain prices for high-quality pearls. South Sea pearls, which tend to be rounder and more luminous are also sold but fetch a higher price. If you visit it is good to write down the name of the vendors you like and obtain their cards. The vendors change places on a regular basis so you may never find their wares in the same spot.
3. Jat tu Jak market
Good for Thai souvenirs, modern home furnishing and clothes.
2. Bali
Bali may not have the rock-bottom prices of my #1 shopping destination but the variety and quality of the art, textiles, and antique are top notch. A society that cultivates artists combined with a tourist market = explosively creative modern and antique products. This ranges from cute wooden kitties on a couch. Bargain hunters for your run-of-the mill souvenirs should head to the Sukawati Art Market or the Denpasar market.
1. Yogyakarta
I am giving this a number one ranking for the value, quality and selection of Yogyakarta's market and many antique shops. This is where you buy your antique batiks, wayang kulit puppets and elegant hand-carved doors and beds. I will include Jepara in this category even if it is a day's travel away. This is where US home interior chains buy their outdoor furniture and some of their tables.