Bartering is the name of the game here. If you pay more than half the quoted price, you're paying too much.

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!

Stanley Markets are worthwhile visiting. You can haggle over arts and crafts, antiques, prints, 'designer' clothing, CD's, electronics, children's toys, games and sporting equipment. You simply must haggle over price-it is part of the fun.

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.

After deciding Stanley would be a pleasant break from the hustle of the city I tried to find where to take a bus there. Eventually I discovered the #260 express bus - fairly empty for some reason and from the back of the top deck I had a great view at some stunning scenery. It wasn't as express as expected but with the scenery I wasn't going to complain, we arrived eventually. The market is huge and is accessible down small twisting passages. The variety of clothing and souvenirs on store is huge so allow time for browsing. Haggling is also an option in many of the stores, walk away after being quoted a price and they'll call you back with 'an offer'. I got some good deals on key chains and smaller souvenirs.

Once you've had enough of shopping there is the nearby Tin Hau Temple where locals were praying and lighting incense.

There are also several pubs on the beach front, pleasant places to have a drink away from the noise of the city before catching the bus back. There are several buses back so be sure your's goes to where you want to be. Occasionally the drivers will refuse to speak English, fortunately I was rescued by a local lady who translated for me and the driver finally notified me in English of my stop! For time away from the pollution and noise of the city this is a great place to go.

Bargaining at the Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island for quality merchandise was definitely a highlight of our visit. We took a bus for 7.90 HK$ to arrive here from the Star Ferry. Hong Kong is well known for its high quality, low priced pearls. At Ming Shop Pearl located at 46A Stanley Market - Main Street, I had a pearl necklace custom made out of fresh water pearls. I also bought a pair of cute pearl stud earrings here for $20. Pearls of many different types, sizes, colors and quality are available at good prices.

The streets of Stanley Market contain many stalls selling various wares and this market is a bargain shoppers paradise. Some items are unique and some are just sold at lower prices than found outside the city. My friend snatched up a few Pashmina scarves knowing they were being sold at a fraction of the price found in U.S. department stores. Clothing made of assorted silks, wools and cottons are sold in abundance. Another hot item are purses and at one stall, I secured 2 of them along with a set of coasters for $30. Interesting toys and musical instruments are for sale.

There is also opportunity to quench your hunger and thirst and an iced cappuccino gave me the energy to continue my bargaining in the Stanley Market for several hours.

Stanley exemplifies the exotic beauty of Hong Kong. The beaches are beautiful and I think they have the world’s largest collection of Simpson ties; Yet my favorite Stanley activity wasn’t found on Stanley. From the beach we hired a boat to take us wake boarding. I worried a little about the belongings on shore, but gave it up to fate and tested my luck on the water. The highlight was driving in between the islands, which were loaded with beautiful houses and amazing lagoons. We found our inlet and jumped in. Since we were novices, our guide pantomimed the required motions from the boat. I can’t say that I actually learned how to wake-board. But I did prove that drinking the water, even in large quantities, will not necessarily make you sick.