August 01, 2004
Justin practices his "coyness" at the Kunming Flower and Dog Market.
Journal and photos by Chanda Baggarly
Next time you are in Kunming, China, you simply have to go the Dog and Flower Market. And when you do go, you have to have coffee at the ultra-secret cafe in the middle of the market between the hat salesman and the bird shop. The ultra secret coffee shop provides the best coffee around for miles, in the whole province some would argue. It is only half surprising that it is owned and operated by an Italian man and his Chinese wife.
Our friends Yanni and Ma Xiaowei guided us to this coffee paradise. It's ultra secret mainly because it is so difficult to find---even most locals do not know of its existence. The owners infused Italian marble and decor into a traditional Chinese house. Beautiful.
The Flower and Dog Market not only has great coffee but also has loads of jade, antiques, and a strange selection of small animals---baby chicks in a rainbow of colors, baby turtles, dogs (of course!) and reptiles that would make Steve Irwin’s mouth water.
To show off our coyness, some of us bought traditional Chinese rice-paper fans.
Nancy squeezes the life out of a baby turtle---kidding, she's just holding it...
The day at the market shaped up well. We enjoyed the coffee, the traditional Chinese market shopping, and most of all the fine company. The whole team was there along with our two new friends, Yanni and Ma Xiaowei, and having all of us there made the day even better.
Until next time, safe journeys!
Chanda
| Logbook for August 1st, Day 272 | ||
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Start: Kunming Time: N/A N: E: |
Finish:Kunming Time: N/A N: E: | Mileage: |
| Notes: We had an amazing day today, thanks to Ma Xaiowei and his girlfriend, Yani (pronounced like Jenny, with a "Y". Yenny). They live here in Kunming, so they were the best guides we could hope for for a day of sightseeing. We had lunch at a renevated old guesthouse-turned-restaurant, and then we went shopping at a really cool market. Several of the guys bought hand-carved stamps of their names in ancient Chinese characters. This city is beautiful, and it was fun dodging bicycles while navigating her busy streets. Tomorrow, we head north to Dali. (N.O.) | ||
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Continue reading "Flower and Dog Market in Kunming"View/Add Comments (0) | Category: 24-China, Part I (Yunnan Province)
