Opium dens, brothels and honey buns

This beautiful gate, called "The Gate of Harmonius Interest" was built in Suzhou, one of Victoria's sister cities.    Chinatown in Victoria has shrunk to just a few blocks between Fisgard, Pandora and Government Streets.   But oh, what a dynamic and exotic spot, especially on a radiant (bad pun) and sunny Friday morning.  The market bustles with cartons and trucks arriving by the second, and my timing was perfect to buy barbecue pork and honey buns for our dinner tonight - so fresh that they had to cut open the boxes for me to retrieve the fresh goodies within.
 



I didn't knock.   Would you?

  


The produce arrives

 

Sorry Daffy duck!  



Narrowest street in Victoria, where opium and brothels ruled



 

Fan Tan Alley is a labyrinth of tea shops, palm readers and herbalists.   It's worth a wander just to absorb the sights and smells. 


 I loved spending the morning here, and although I didn't partake in a glass of bubble tea or sample anything else that was unrecognizable, it was so great to soak up the sights, sounds and sunshine.   Just before I left I happened into a small shop that featured handmade silk clothing for children.   After an animated, somewhat fractured conversation with the shopkeeper, complete with giggles, mouth covering and a lot of bowing, we settled on a good price for a couple of gorgeous outfits for the grandbabies. Emperor William and Empress Sarah?   Your dynasties await.