Day Signs, originally uploaded by globetrotterI.  A quiet back street in Kowloon is virtually unheard of.

Kowloon hosts several famous day and night markets that draw people in, but we decided to spend our time in the Mongkok District, which is frentic at any time of day. It’s one of the busiest shopping districts in Kowloon. It has everything from clothes and shoes to kitchen supplies and jewelry boxes. We thought it was great. This is where you want to come if you’re looking for fake designer watches and handbags.

Vendors attract customers by posting currect magazines featuring the latest accessories. No dealing occurs on the street. If buyers are interested, they’re asked to go to an upstairs apartment to inspect the goods closely before bargaining and making a purchase.

I can’t say I was entirely comfortable about being led into filthy stairwells, down dimly lit corridors and into private rooms that function as a showroom by day and bedroom by night.  Then again, I’ve got a six foot nine giant to protect me.  In reality though, we were perfectly safe.  We were asked to have tea with one elderly man while we salivated through Dior handbags, Chanel sunglasses, Louis luggage and Bvlgari watches.  We bargained hard and left with far more than we had promised ourselves.  By the end of the day, we had gone though all of our money, had treated ourselves royally and were feeling awfully proud of our new acquisitions.   Shopping in Hong Kong is totally out of this world.