The Market in the Lava

Hawai'i is always on my mind, lovely memories of the beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean. In particular I love the Big Island, and today I just want to continue with photos and tales from our vacation there back in August of last year.

I told you about Kalapana and its devastating relationship with Madame Pele. Once a thriving fishing village it was wiped out by lava from Kīlauea in 1990. However, a small part of Kalapana is still left, and it turns into a very colorful spot on Wednesday nights when people come to visit the popular Uncle's Wednesday Night Market.

You can buy all sorts of things here, from organic soap to jewelry to t-shirts to hand carved spears and boomerangs. It is fun to walk around and just watch people, a colorful palette of unique characters.

The main attraction, however, is the food. So much to see, smell and taste. An abundance of flavor for all the senses. Let me give you a few samples.

Kaefer and I tried the Huli Huli chicken which was delicious, and the Geek couldn't resist the Paniolo steak with a spiced Kona coffee rub. The Huli Huli chicken with its sweet ginger soy was a hit and the Paniolo steak was delicious as well. We also tried the Banana Lumpia and some wonderful tropic lemonade.

When we left the almost full moon was in the clouds, illuminating the sky over the ocean. It was a gorgeous and a bit unreal scenery, very fitting for the location.

Where Market Was Hold in the Olden Days

Chipping Campden is a very picturesque little medieval town in the heart of the Cotswold Hills in England. I first visited it back in 1974 when it was still more like a sleepy village out of a fairy tale. When I spent time here in the late 80's and early 90's it wasn't quite as sleepy anymore, but still rather quiet. Last year, however, it was a crowded tourist destination - but fortunately it still held its Old World charm.

The heart of Chipping Campden, right in the middle of High Street, is this old market hall. "Chipping" comes from the Old English for "market" or "market place" - so of course they have a market hall! Built in 1627 (so not quite that medieval!) in the typical honey colored limestone of the area, it stood in the town center mainly unused. This time, however, it was turned into some kind of market place again.

This, however, was the only change that I could notice, and I thought that it actually fit the location. I also imagined market people who yell and shout, offering their merchandise to the folks who would come into town on market day. I think it was quite lively back then. Not so much nowadays.

To my utter relief, the old floor was still the same rocky ground as centuries ago.

And so was the roof - don't you agree that it is lovely? Simple, but impressive.

Les Marchés

While writing about the Granville Public Market a couple days ago I remembered the lovely little markets in Paris. There isn't market day every day, but all the little shops - les magasins - display their food in the most beautiful way outside on the street.

Of course, there are lots of fruits!

Charentais melons are my favorite!

Flat peaches - they look odd, but they are delicious!

Des apricots...

et des cerises.

Lots of berries

But this is Paris, after all, and there is so much more to a market beside fruit and vegetable. Cheese, of course - le fromage.

I love love love the selection of cheese!

Yum yum yum!

I could live on cheese alone - and bread.

Then there's the charcuterie:

And, of course, the bread:

The Parisians are not strangers to the sweet stuff either.

And this being Paris, the city of love, the lollipops have to be heart shaped.

After all this eye candy in the markets we need a break and some sorbet, s'il vous plaît!

A Feast for the Eyes

I love markets.

It's a fierce attack on all my senses, but especially the eyes and the nose. My belly usually starts to grumble and I feel my mouth watering. I can hardly pass by a good market. I grew up with markets and I do miss the colorful noisy markets in Europe.

When we were in Vancouver, BC a couple years ago there was no way I would miss the Granville Public Market. It's situated on Granville Island (hence the name of course) and it's easy to get there from downtown Vancouver with the excellent public transportation.

Of course there are vegetables and fruits, and lots of them. Since I love color I was attracted to these displays. My photographer's heart was doing summersaults!

But since this is Vancouver and Granville Public Market is right where the marina is, a lot of fish and seafood is offered as well. My favorite food anyway!

Salmon as fillets and whole fish...

... but also in many versions of smoked salmon - this is so darn yummy!!!

Did you ever taste candied salmon? It is delicious and a rare treat.

Lots of shrimp and scallops, of course...

... and oysters...

... but also a great selection of cold cuts - almost like in Germany! That country style liverwurst looks extremely tasty to me (I bet there's majoram in it).

Then there was the bakery - oh my oh my oh my....

Eclairs anyone?

Or do you prefer cake pops?

Perhaps you need a glass of honey - if you can decide which one you'd like.

Oh, and the deli... Are you hungry by now?