GOASIAPLUS January 2018

Lost & Found
lost&Found
Francis
Yip always loses himself but somehow, finds his way back with lots
of juicy stories to share. Forgive him if he sparks a debate. Love him if he
unlocks hidden jewels. So heavenly, so travelicious with him!
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Treasure Hunting
AT FLEA MARKETS
WORDS & PHOTOS BY FRANCIS YIP
One of my top
things to do when
I travel aboard is to
visit the flea markets. It is
always fun ogling over odds
and ends, haggling over an
antique and watching the
drama of life unfold along
the street.
I will call myself
lucky if I can find an old
gramophone, rare coin
collector items or past
issues of magazines which
I have been searching for
ages. However, flea market
is not only about antiques.
There is so much more to
discover. Bric-a-brac, street
foods, apparels, home
appliances, toys and even
buskers.
In fact, flea market has
become so popular. We
can see lots of places, like
shopping malls and alleys
turning into flea markets at
certain times. As Malaysia
is ranked the world’s fourth
best shopping destination
by CNN, there are more
reasons for you to drop by
our flea markets.
AMCORP MALL,
PETALING JAYA:
The flea market is as old
as the mall itself since
1998. It is my No. 1 pick
due to the diversity of old
merchandise, from vinyl
records, rare movie posters,
retro figurines, pottery,
coins to books and knickknack
items.
Apart from the dozens
of stalls set up for the
purpose, there is also quite
a number of antique shops
in the mall, which you can
visit even on weekdays.
This is also where I found
my favourite classic MGM
musical records.
MEMORY LANE,
IPOH
Fondly known as “Loken”
or “Pasar Karat” (rustic
market) by the locals, this
flea market located in Jalan
Horley has more than what
you bargain for.
Scarves at RM1 each.
Dresses at RM5. Old
typewriter for only RM100.
With such prices, your
Sunday morning will be
really busy here.
JALAN HANG
LEKIR, MELAKA
Many people may be
acquainted with the
weekend night market at
Jonker Walk but not many
know Sunday morning
nearby offers something
more nostalgic.
The traders strictly
stick to selling only
antiques. What I love about
this flea market is the wide
array of old Peranakan
(Straits Chinese) items like
pottery, kitchenware and
tiffin with the exotic classic
designs of that community.
BAZAAR KARAT,
JOHOR BAHRU
This bustling flea market
which opens nightly
attracts thousands of
visitors all year round,
especially Singaporean
tourists. Located in the
heart of the city of Johor
Bahru, it offers clothings,
trinkets, housewares, street
foods and more.
But don’t expect a lot
of antiques here. Most
of the items are new and
reissued items. And it is
mind-boggling with endless
phone casings for you to
choose from.
LORONG KULIT,
PENANG
Formerly located in Rope
Walk but now near the City
Stadium, this flea market is
my favourite place to hang
out when I was young.
It attracts lots of
visitors from morning
to noon, offering a wide
range of items, from old
to new brassware, shoes,
stamps, postcards, fruits
and clothings. The varieties
make it a good place for
bargain hunters.
My advice for those
who visit the flea market: -
Remember to dress down
and not look like a tourist.
Learn the art of
bargaining. Trader may
start with an exorbitantly
high price for an item. Say
“no” even when your heart
wants to say “yes” to the
price. Haggle until he gives
up and willing to accept the
price you demand. Good
luck and happy shopping!
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