My TripAdvisor Review No.613: Cochin Spice Market, Fort Kochi, Kerala.

Kerala's Black Gold Market.

Black Pepper was the black gold which brought the European traders and seafarers to the shores of Kerala, and over time Kochi became the hub of the spice markets.The Bazaar Road leading up to the Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town is lined on both sides with spice, antique, curio, perfume and tea trading shops. The shops are swarming with tourists, both foreign and Indian trying to get the best bargains.

We entered into a spice shop called the ‘All Spices Market’ which was housed in an old dilapidated building. We climbed up a narrow and steep staircase to the first floor where the shop was located. They had a wide array of spices including many qualities of whole black and white peppers, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, dried red chillies, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, bay-leaf, star anise, herbs, tea and coffee powders and different dry fruits, as well as ready to eat fried banana and tapioca chips.

While we were looking at our shopping list the lady attendants kept giving us samples of various herbal teas and coffee to taste. In a sense they were distracting our attention from the spices and by accepting their samples they were making us obligated to buy something. Ultimately we did buy many items which were not even on our list.

My suggestion if you visit the spice market is to go with a shopping list and a rough idea of it’s price, so that you know beforehand whether you are getting your value for money or are being conned into buying.

Date of experience: December 2019

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

My TripAdvisor Review No.610: Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Kerala.

Tourist's Shopping Paradise.

We tried to drive down from the Jankar ferry terminal along Bazaar Street to Mattancherry Palace, but the street was so narrow that if there was a lorry parked on one side then we had to drive the car with two tires on the footpath. So we parked in one of the side lanes and walked part of the way.

The Bazaar Road leading up to the palace is lined on both sides with spice, antique, curio, perfume and tea trading shops. The shops are swarming with tourists, both foreign and Indian trying to get the best bargains. We bought some spices, tea, coffee and perfumes and then landed up in an antique shop selling old radios, enamel utensils, wooden statuettes, paintings and other memorabilia.

Finally we reached the Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue near Jew Town and these are tourist attractions in their own right. We had a cup of coffee in one of the cafeterias near the palace.

Date of experience: December 2019

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

My TripAdvisor Review No.579: Lonsdale Quay Market Restaurants, North Vancouver, Canada.

Variety Of Choices For Meals, Desserts, Bakery And Raw Produce.

The Lonsdale Quay Market was the most visited place in North Vancouver for us as tourists. Staying at an Air-B&B in North Van we would have to pass through the market to and from Vancouver Downtown. The SeaBus terminal is located at Lonsdale Quay and the local buses are also available at the bus bays on the land side of the market.

Besides shopping for gifts, novelties and trinkets, most of all we liked the Food Court where we could sample a variety of delicacies from all over the world. We even found an Indian Food restaurant, Halima Grill, where we satisfied our cravings for home-cooked food.

At Halima Grill we had a Mixed Veggies with Rice Combo and a Chicken Curry with Rice Combo. It was a self-service restaurant and we had our lunch sitting at one of the free tables in the Food Court. We enjoyed the flavors so much that we picked up a take-away of Butter Chicken and Mixed Veggies with Naan Bread on the way back for dinner. The rates of the Combo meals were very economical compared to most of the other eateries in Vancouver.

Later we had some exotic tasting Gelatos from Gelato Ice-creams. We also picked up some pastries from the cake shop ‘Ross Crepes and Café’ the next day to share at our Air-B&B stay in North Vancouver.

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Date of visit: August 2019

• • Value
  • Service
  • Food

See all 5 reviews by EkMusafir for North Vancouver

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

My TripAdvisor Review No.446: The Saturday Night Market, Arpora, Goa.

Sharpen Your Bargaining Skills.

This is an open-air market held every Saturday night at Arpora. There is a live band playing but you have to wait till after nightfall for it to get swinging. There are a lot of stalls where you can buy knick-knacks, art items, electronic stuff, curios, artifacts, cigarettes, masalas, spices, perfumes, footwear, imitation jewelry, bags, and clothing.

Prices of most of the items are atrocious. Be sure to bargain. You may be lucky to get some merchandise at one-fourth of the original price quoted. If not, then pretend to walk away. You can always come back if you have set your heart on buying the item.

At the end of it all, you will be hungry. Head to the food stalls where there is a variety of fast food available. Sit down with your plate of Tibetan momos or wada pao and enjoy the live music.

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Date of experience: March 2019

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC