Markets – Ullan Adventures

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Kirsten / May 26, 2014

Enjoying apple, cinnamon and mint tea plus treats in the Grand Bazaar

One of the things all of us were most looking forward to in Istanbul was visiting and shopping in the Grand Bazaar. So much so, that we went to visit it as soon as we arrived in Istanbul. Maybe it’s because we’d been to Marrakech just a couple of months before and we’d been in Turkey for a month, but we found it a little disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still neat to see. And the history and scale of it is pretty cool.

But at the end of the day, it came off like a gigantic tourist-only market selling only touristy things. Sure there are cool lamps and beautiful tea sets, rugs and scarves, silver and jewelry. But it didn’t feel or look authentic and there wasn’t nearly as much stuff I was dying to buy as I expected.

That said, we did wander through it at least 3 times. And Mara did buy an awesome pair of “Turkish slippers” – unfortunately the picture came out very fuzzy.

Fuzzy picture of Mara and her fun slippers

One thing we did enjoy was the free samples of Turkish Delight from the various shops.

The whole wall was full of various flavors of Turkish Delight

We so enjoyed having tea and treats at this little stall that we went back twice. We ordered 3 teas: Beck got the apple tea, Mara got the cinnamon tea and Chuck and I split a mint tea. They were all delicious and we bought some tea from a stand afterwards to bring back to the States with us.

Aside from Mara’s slippers and the tea, the kids each bought a keychain for their keychain collection and I bought myself a little “Genie lamp”. Overall it was much easier on our wallet than we were expecting.

Here are some pictures of the Grand Bazaar:

Here are some pictures of the various items for sale:

Video Mara shot:

Europe Markets Turkey

Markets in Fethiye, Turkey: A Photo Tour

Kirsten / April 27, 2014

One of our favorite things to do here in Fethiye is going to the weekly markets. There is a Sunday market near Calis Beach which is more geared to tourists although you will see some locals there. And then there is the Tuesday market in Fethiye which is almost all locals.

The kids always ask to go and they have a great time walking around and sampling the Turkish Delight, buying fresh fruits or getting some freshly grilled corn.

Here is a little overview of both markets:

Beautiful produce:

Turkish Delight everywhere – and every stand gives free samples!

Spices, spices and more spices.

There are lot of other foods for sale too such as olives, cheese, eggs, nuts, seeds, vegetables, tea and more!

In addition, you can buy shoes, bags, clothes, household items, toys, hardware, decorative items and lots more.

And lastly, one of Beckett’s favorite things: fresh grilled corn!

Africa Animals Countries Favorite Moments Markets Morocco World Travels

Jamaa el Fna Square in Marrakech (Cobras and More!)

Chuck Ullan / March 9, 2014

Within the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Jamaa el Fna Square (hereafter, “the square”) is at the heart of the action. This is what you picture when you think of Marrakech and is what you see in movies and TV shows.

It’s a huge open area, ringed by restaurants and shops. During the day, it’s populated by snake charmers, henna ladies, monkey wranglers, and orange juice salesmen. We didn’t take any pictures of the monkeys because it was really appalling how they were chained by the neck and dragged around.

We’d heard a lot about how aggressive the entertainers were and it was fairly true, but not a big deal if you’re prepared. When you take your pictures with the snake people or others, whatever you offer, they’ll try to get 5 to 10x as much. You just say no and ask if they want what you’re offering or nothing. Then they’ll just back off, take it, and move on.

To some extent, they can sense who’s uncomfortable and will probably pressure you more if you are. At the end of the day, you have the power because you have the money. It’s not like you have any contract to give them a certain amount. I gave the snake guys about 20 dirham ($2.50), but it’s not like there’s a posted price. Just seemed reasonable to me.

In the late afternoon, the cobras and monkeys clear out, restaurant stalls set up, and the crowds build. We visited the square several times during our 2 days in Marrakech and have stitched together a photo tour to give you an idea of what’s going on.

Here’s the snake charmers. There were about 3 little setups like this in the square. The guy standing up makes the noise you associate with snake charmers, but it’s really just to draw a crowd. It has nothing to do with “charming” the cobra.

263 — Beckett was fascinated by the cobras, but didn’t want to get too close. They’ll let you sit really close if you want to.

And who doesn’t want to wear a fez?

Here’s a glimpse of more of the daytime action at the square:

274 — Lots of stands selling fresh squeezed OJ

Around 4ish, a huge cluster of pop-up restaurants start to assemble in the middle of the square.

333 — They assemble and take down these stalls every day.

Night falls, the crowds pick up, and the restaurants are in full swing.

As you walk through the restaurant stalls, each place has one or two wranglers that shove a menu in your face and try to get you to eat there. Mostly you just walk by them, but it’s annoying when you actually want to read the posted menus and they won’t leave you alone for 2 seconds.

We stopped and got kebabs, tagine, bread, couscous, and fritters for about $17 total.

We also had a separate stop for some mint tea and dessert.

A few more random pictures of the action:

Finally, here are a couple videos where I pan around the square.

Be sure to see our other 4 posts about Marrakech

Africa Countries Markets Morocco

A Photo Tour of the Souks (shops) of Marrakech

Kirsten / March 9, 2014

298 — Piles of spices available everywhere

One of the must-do items when visiting Marrakech, is strolling through the souks (shops) in the Medina. There is a specific area that comprises many little streets lined with shops on either side selling everything from food to shoes to teapots to.. well anything really. Its fun to wander around and soak up the sights and smells. Of course it doesn’t come without risks though: the risk of getting run over by a motorbike, bicycle or even a donkey cart. And the risk of getting lost. But that’s half the fun!

We didn’t buy much of anything because there was no practical way to get it back to Spain then back to the USA without schlepping it all over the place. But if we were headed straight back to the States, I would’ve done some serious damage to our wallets. I particularly loved the silver teapots and the lamps! Oh, I’ll dream about those lamps!

307 — Bottom right are tagines – little pots used to cook meals that are kind of like little pot roasts (but made with any type of meat)

I loved all these teapots. I was so close to buying one but alas, I didn’t.

The clothing for sale was awesome and ranged from gorgeous dresses to belly dancer outfits.

Yummy delicious treats! The honey roasted sesame peanuts were so good.

470 — Mara with an assortment of Moroccan pastries

302 — All sorts of fruits and nuts available in bulk

There were tassel shops everywhere! No, not those kind of tassels, but the kind you use to hold back curtains.

In addition to spices, you could get things like frankincense, amber, indigo, and other natural perfume/scents. I was quite excited to see and smell real frankincense.

And of course there were rugs.

And more…

Be sure to see our other 4 posts about Marrakech

Asia Chiang Mai Markets Thailand

Sunday Night Market in Chiang Mai

Kirsten / December 1, 2013

The Sunday Night Market in Chiang Mai is a one of the most popular markets in all of Thailand. Its hard to describe if you’ve never been to a Thai street market before. There are knick-knacks, handicrafts, food, drinks and more but its definitely a different thing that what we have in the USA.

At first we didn’t care for the Sunday Night Market. We could barely find any food the 4 of us would eat aside from Pad Thai (there was food, but not the kind we like to eat) and we would wander around desperately hunting for food and not enjoying ourselves. However our friends Ellen and Kevin were pros at this market and told us about the massive food area inside one of the wats. Not sure if the name, but it’s on the south side of the street about 3 blocks from Tha Pae Gate. Once we met them there, our opinion of the market changed and it became one of our 2 favorite markets here. (Tip: Most wats have significant food areas, so poke your head into the other wats as well)

One of the coolest things about this market is what happens at 6pm. At 6pm every day (not just at the market), they play the National Anthem over loudspeakers. Everyone stands up from eating, remains silent through the song, bows when its over and then carries on with whatever they were doing.

We went our last Sunday in Chiang Mai and had a nice evening of gorging ourselves on all our favorites and wandering around. What follows are a glimpse into the Sunday Night Market (and really most markets here) and is our way of reminding ourselves of the street markets in Chiang Mai.

My favorite Pad Thai lady cooking it up fresh

058 — Some of the food we do not eat – Hello, bizarre white spongy meat on a stick

Beckett's favorite stand - fresh grilled corn on the cob (with generous helpings of salt, sugar and butter) — Beckett’s favorite stand – fresh grilled corn on the cob (with generous helpings of salt, sugar and butter)

"Ancient" ice cream and our favorite, Mango with Sticky Rice — “Ancient” ice cream and our favorite, Mango with Sticky Rice

Bizarre black jello substance - Bubble Tea perhaps? — Bizarre black jello substance – Bubble Tea perhaps?

Pancake/Crepes with banana drizzled with chocolate syrup

Dessert! Banana pancake with chocolate syrup and a young coconut. Delish!

Another corn vendor. Another one of Beckett's favorite places. — Another corn vendor. Another one of Beckett’s favorite places.

Drink vendor – I can’t even tell you how many coconuts we drank while in Thailand

One night we got the kids’ portraits done. Unfortunately, they didn’t come out very well and didn’t look like either kid. Oh well.

Asia Chiang Mai Markets Thailand

Warorot Market

Kirsten / October 23, 2013

Warorat Market (and the surrounding area) is some of the craziest market action I’ve ever seen. Stalls are packed in everywhere and everyone seems to have 1,000 items for sale.

Photos of the Warorat indoor market

Flower Market

Fruit Stands

Various Merchandise Stands

Food Stands

Asia Chiang Mai Markets Thailand

Turtle Market

Kirsten / October 18, 2013

There is a market on Canal Road near our house that pops up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. Its a locals market and it gets so crowded that its hard to get by on Canal Road and they have a traffic cop directing traffic and pedestrians.

Chuck stopped by once and was the only foreigner there. He was so amused by the market that he took all of us there later. We have no idea what the market is called, however, we refer to it as Turtle Market because they sell live turtles (amongt other things) there.

Some of the awesome things we saw for sale: live turtles, live snakes, live eels, and live frogs. Fighting beetles. Every part of an animal butchered and laid out, often covered with flies. And of course the usual things like premade food, vegetables, fruit, clothing and snacks.

The market is located at Wat Tong Kai, just south of the intersection of Canal Road and Night Safari Road, about 15 minutes from the old city. 18.737701,98.931153

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Border Crossing – Mae Sai, Thailand to Tachileik, Myanmar

Kirsten / August 11, 2013

Upon arriving in Mae Sai, Thailand, we hit the literal end-of-the-road. Here is where Thailand ends and across a little river is Myanmar (formerly Burma).

After parking, finding a bathroom (not the easiest feat) and wandering a few blocks, we were at the border crossing.

First up is leaving Thailand. You go on the left side of the road, get stamped out by Thailand immigration, and off you go across the bridge to Myanmar.

Once you get to Myanmar, you cross to the right side, and enter a little room to get your visa and entry stamp into Myanmar. We wanted to actually enter Myanmar and shop in the little market there, so we got our stamps, had our picture taken, paid a fee, and off we went into Myanmar. For the day shopping trip, you leave your passports with the Myanmar officials. Feels weird, but it’s ok – they just walk them to the other side and you pick them up on your way out.

Myanmar was more rustic that I expected. As a whole country, I knew it was less developed than most of Thailand, but I figured the border would be very similar as lots of Thais hop over every day to shop. I also expected the market to be bigger and more obvious but it really wasn’t. We only spent about 1 hour there and only bought Mara a little ring.

Beware – they drive on the right side, so if you’re used to left-hand traffic in Thailand, this is different.

Tachileik, Myanmar:

After we were done, it was back to the Myanmar border to get our passports, get our exit stamp and walk back over to Thailand.

Mae Sai River between Myanmar and Thailand — Ruak River between Myanmar and Thailand

Once back on the Thailand side, we filled out the necessary paperwork, got our pictures taken again, and got stamped back into Thailand. Woohoo, we’re legal for another 60 days!

From the border, it was a quest for some lunch, seeing a random elephant walking down the street, then back to our car and off for the Golden Triangle!