We got up early the next day to attend our beloved seminar, we were so eager to learn and so fired up from yesterday's activities that we couldn't wait to go to class! So we sat there for 8 hours on that beautiful Hawaiian day, learning how we should automate our business operations, new marketing tactics, Fax blasting prospect Doctors and local businesses, etc. It soon became a really mind-numbing experience that turned us to zombies... All Michelle and I can think about was the adventures we should be having and the food that we should be stuffing in our faces! We couldn't escape as this was the reason we went to Hawaii in the first place!
Later that warm night at 6 pm, we explored the streets of Waikiki. We roamed in our flip flops for hours until our feet became sore, in search of adventures. We started with window shopping in Kalakua Ave, where the street was illuminated by the bright lights of both sides of such shops asTiffany & Co, Coach, Gucci, Versace, ABC Stores, etc.
Many people littered the street Kalakua Ave, they were walking around, sitting on the benches, chatting with friends, and window shopping like we were. As we went further on, passing by the high-end shops, we stumbled upon the famous International Market Place .
International Market place is a hub of souvenir shops/carts and awesome restaurants. We saw so many souvenirs from Ukeleles (Hawaiian small guitar), minature surfboards, small Hawaiian totem carvings, and magnets for the fridge. Merchants standing by trying to wave you in to their shops. Bright signs saying "On Sale" or "30% off". We found the shops tend to sell the same things. Prices seemed to be really expensive towards Kalakua Ave and became more cheaper as you go in deeper.
The "store carts" sold pretty much the same things but had more jewelries. Prices were cheaper due to the fact that they dont have as much overhead compared to the "real stores". Knowing this fact, I "haggled-rape" these little stores... Haggling is a must for these little shops! I would say that these are the shops that you should be buying from as it is general cheaper and you would be helping out these little businesses that need more help than their bigger counter parts.
HOW TO HAGGLE:
When you find something you like, the sales person will give you a high price, then you tell them "TOOO EXPENSIVE! The other store is selling this for x-amount! How come you selling me so high?". So you tell them a lower price (thats reasonable for you and the other party), at that point they'll agree for the cheaper price. Then try to get even lower by saying, "Come on, I came here because I thought you will give a better deal! Ok never mind... I'll come back later" sales person will often agree (if its reasonable) to your price as your leaving.
You now throw them a monkey wrench by saying, "OK, I buy 2 for x-amount (to get an even lower the price)". And there you have it!
Going back to the story, after our shopping spree we observed many delectable restaurants nearby from delicious Chinese, Korean, to Filipino Food. One food stall in particular stood out because it had a line- The Blue Water Shrimp and Fish Market. It became one of our favorite places to eat in the island later on, but we didn't eat there that night.
We were looking for a small Chinese Restaurant called Fatty's Chinese Kitchen located in depths of International Market Place. It was recomended by our friend Ro-Anne, and she kept raving about it via facebook months prior to our trip. We were intrigued because the name itself commanded Gastronimical RESPECT and she said that its like a dinner & show! Not to mention that they also serve the absolute best Chicken & Salted Fish Fried Rice she's ever had. And So we found it as our stomach grumbled in relief...
TO BE CONTINUED.... STAY TUNED FOR PART 4!
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