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TOP SHOPS
top shops shopping news from bangkok airways’ destinations
SHIFTING SPACE
PICTURE: BRENT T MADISONOne of Chiang Mai’s chicest home accessories stores, Living Space (above) has shifted into new premises near the corner of Nimmanhaemin Road, ending its 12-year stint on Thapae Road. The revamped shop still offers the same lacquer ware, leather goods and birdcage lamps that it is known for, but according to owner Jennifer Dyson, it feels more like a gallery in its new home. She says, “The atmosphere is completely different due to the very high ceiling on the ground floor and the whiteness of the space.” 6/9-10 Nimmanhaemin Road, tel +66 (0)53 215166, www.livingspacedesigns.com
GOOD SWIMMERS
PICTURE:SIAM MAP
COMPANY LTDYou really should have packed your bikini to come to Samui, but just in case you forgot or are looking for something a little more stylish, Bikinis & Beachwear Genevieve is the place to go.
With a selection of well-known international brands and some of their own creations, you can even mix and match tops and bottoms to design your own unique ensemble.
Open daily from 1pm to 11pm. Chaweng Beach Road, opposite McDonalds, tel +66 (0)77 413728
BUILDING BLOCKS
PICTURE: GEMMA PRICELike an interior designer’s play set, these brilliant interlocking Carpenter Blocks from Japanese brand Soz can be formed into any functional shape – from a chair to a bookshelf or even a toy. The Lego-like pieces are the brainchild of Osaka-based designer Hideki Tominaga who offers three ranges: Square Aqua for large transparent pieces, Re:mo (right) for the big coloured pieces, and Mini blocks for anything from desktop organisers to ornaments. The Mini range is available at Fukuoka’s interior store Actus (Level 2, Bivi Fukuoka Shopping Mall, tel +81
(0)92 771-7003) or visit www.sozshop.com
BEJEWELLED
Look out for the new in-house line of jewellery (left) from stylish lifestyle group, Como Shambhala. The series uses a bevy of semi-precious stones and pearls set on silver and leather chains, and are ideal for casual, day-time wear.
The collection of necklaces and bracelets are on sale in all Como Hotels and Resorts, including The Metropolitan Bangkok and Como Cocoa Island, Maldives. Prices start at £39 (about US$75). http://comoshambhala.bz
WRITE RIGHT
Souvenirs are ten-a-penny in Ho Chi Minh City, but for a unique, personalised gift , pay a visit to Th anh Son at his self-titled calligraphy studio and shop.
Here, you can peruse the varied eastern proverbs and sentiments captured by his enigmatic brush strokes while he works away in the corner. Choices range from simple woven wall hangings (below) to impressive wood-framed art pieces.
And if nothing in sight strikes a chord, Mr Thanh is more than happy to take individual commissions. As the only calligrapher creating such bespoke pieces in the city, you are guaranteed to get what you want, whether it is something artfully Vietnamese for your house or a special message for someone back home. 40/1 Bui Vien, tel +84 (0)8 836-4002
NIGHT FEVER
Siem Reap’s newest bazaar, the Angkor Night Market (www.angkornightmarket.com) is a fresh alternative to the better-known Old and Central Markets. The small complex off Sivutha Boulevard near the Red Piano Guesthouse can be covered easily in an hour, but sells souvenirs and special items not easily found elsewhere. Before you retire to the bar for a post-purchase beer, check out these four favourites.
1 Hug Me!
These simple cotton dolls (US$20) are all of 40cm tall and come in schoolgirl, traditional apsara dancer and farm girl (top right) incarnations – a great gift for little ones. Hug Me! T-shirts (below) for grown-ups go for US$7. Both are made by women at risk (and their children) who are trained in sewing to give them a skill and an income.
2 Khmer Palm Wine
Also called palm sap, this is Cambodia’s toddy of choice (above) – a sweet brew that is usually homemade and comes from the sugar palm. The tree’s naturally occurring yeasts ferment the sap into moonshine within hours. Th e bottled version is marginally less alcoholic and costs US$3.
3 Local Spices
To make that perfect fish amok curry at home, you’ll need to stock up on spices like pepper and chillies. Get them all here, from US$8 per kilo, in whatever quantity you prefer.
4 Silk Lingerie
What could be more exotic than underthings made of quality Cambodian silk? Th ese beautiful negligee are certainly souvenirs with a diff erence, although sizes are limited and prices are rather expensive. From US$24.
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