At the top of Reclamation Street is Kowloon’s Jade indoor market. It’s open every day between 10am and 4pm, and there are hundreds of stalls in a couple of large hanger-like buildings. I have no knowledge of what makes a good Jade piece, and I was surprised at the range of colours that was available for sale. The classic green looked, on occasions, to be too green to be real, and I believe that you need to know jade before buying anything of any value here. I may be inherently suspicious, but there are no guarantees accompanying your purchases. But if you like it and the negotiated price, then the Jade Market is the right place to be. The variety of items is amazing, and generally we were able to pick up the goods and inspect them without too much hassle. On one stall, a woman showed us how to test that the jade item was real and rubbed a "look-a-like" bangle with a coin – it was marked, but the real bangle was untouched when the same process was followed.

Over the other side of the water on the south side of Hong Kong Island is the incredibly popular Stanley Market. It’s open every day (10am–6:30pm) and seems to act like a magnet for tourists. I’d recommend a trip there but strongly suggest that you can buy cheaper elsewhere. The journey there, however, is interesting in itself – a bus trip over the central hills of Hong Kong Island gives some super views, although the bus’s suspension could have been a little improved on.

The stallholders were prepared to haggle, but because they "major in tourists", were fairly inflexible with their prices. The narrow covered-in-walkway was flanked by heavily burdened semi-permanent market shops, and the number of people pressing their way round the market was immense. What was very different to other markets was that there were a large number of stalls selling pottery. We were very tempted with a pretty "lazy Susan", but in the end, we reckoned it would push us over the weight restriction on our return flight. It really felt like Stanley was aimed at tourists, and there were souvenirs aplenty.

Not far from the market are pleasant beaches and a fascinating small temple. In the temple square, local bands regularly play, and people just hung round, appreciating the atmosphere.

Hours: 9am to 6pm

We passed one man making chops. He could make chops with your name or with your Chinese zodiac sign. It seemed like a good gift for that person who has everything. I found the best deals in a silk shop. Alli picked up a green Cheongsam, because she can fit into anything. I purchased three silk robes for $10 each. Other items of note were jade and bone carvings, Chinese porcelain, and souvenirs. In one large souvenir shop, we found very inexpensive silk sheets. Unfortunately, they do not exactly fit a standard size queen.

You can walk for miles and never see the same shop twice. This is both a blessing and a curse as trying to find that little shop that had that one perfect item you thought you'd come back for can be IMPOSSIBLE to find again. My advice - if you like it, BUY IT!

Each time I visit I buy the hand stitched cotton and linen sheets, tablecloths all beautifully embroidered somewhere in Hong Kong. Just as you walk into the markets you will find some antique stores tucked away down alleys and these are well worth visiting. They are treasure troves. I bought an opium pipe for a good price, some prints, embroidery and children's clothes. I got into a heated verbal argument with a store holder who wanted to sell me some 'Greg Norman' Golf shirts at an exhorbitant price...he eventually won. My business colleague speaks Mandarin and that came in really handy in getting the price down. Do not expect to find sensational fashion or designer homewares. It is more rustic than that. However, you will spend a couple of hours haggling over things you do not really want but do not mind being screwed over for a little bit of trivia. When you have finished the markets walk down to the beach to the French restaurant, take a table upstairs and you will simply adore their delightfully cooked fresh fish with a little white wine. The range of wines is improving in Hong Kong.