Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lovely, hand-made, wooden spear guns. Gavin and I went up to them and checked the flip-
pers. We tried on a few and each bought a pair, as well as some good masks; one could tell
they were strong navy surplus. We also spent some time with the spear guns, and we both
came away with one each; we just couldn't resist. Liz had wandered over to a used item
stall where an old man was selling a pile of ancient hand tools. She was deep in conversa-
tion with him telling him about her boat and bought a scraper for the barnacles. I bought an
old carpenters brace and lovely, big jack plane for planing wood.
“You guys having fun?
“Yeah, thanks girl for showing us all this. It's amazing what you can buy here! I love this
spear gun,” I said rubbing the oiled, wooden handle.
“We should keep moving as all the good stuff is selling fast.”
We trailed off and explored some of the other more second-hand looking stalls. We came
across a stand where the guy was selling a variety of backpacks, kidney pouches, leather
wallets, and purses. I bought a black, leather kidney pouch for my wallet as well as an old,
army rucksack and was able to put my flippers and mask inside. Gavin was looking at a
stand that had ivory handled knives with beautiful scrimshaw work on the handles. The
wizened old man also made scrimshawed neck pendants, and I asked Liz if she would like
one. “Why, Jon, do you want to buy me one?” she said sweetly, looking directly at me with
her china blue eyes.
“As a matter of fact I would love to buy you one,” I answered, grinning at her.
She pointed to a traditional, ivory, Hawaiian fish hook with stranded coconut fiber string
and said, “This is beautiful.”
“Consider it yours.” I said, paying the man.
“Oh Jon, you really shouldn't have, but thank you,” she blushed, bowing her head. She
mumbled something which I never caught and walked off quickly.
I looked at the old stall man in embarrassment; it appeared to the world that she was angry
for what I'd done.
He grinned at me, scratching his leathery old face, “Ah, to be young again. She likes you
mate, that means it made an impression! Don't look so worried lad; go after 'er!”
“Thank you, I hope you're right.”
I walked off after Liz who had stopped by a little stand that sold incense and things Eastern.
There were lots of shiny, brass products and beautifully embroidered silk dresses and shirts.
