Shopping

From BOLÍVAR, Colombia, Feb. 5, 2010

by Marlene Smith, Livermore, CO

Accra was on fire.

by Susan Lowe, Covington, WA

“You’re stopping over in Hong Kong again?”

I took a very interesting tour of the Gulf States with Adventures Abroad (1124 Fir Ave., Ste. 101, Blaine, WA 98230; 800/665-3998) and learned so much about a fascinating part of the world.

A reader talked about buying a bottle of Amarula liqueur at an African duty-free shop and putting it in her carry-on bag for the return home (June ’07, pg. 50).

We asked readers to tell us what they buy at duty-free shops and why. Are there true bargains? Do the prices and selection vary in different countries? With the new airport security regulations, how do you handle your purchases? What advice can you offer? Below are replies received. If you have more to share, write to “Duty-Free Shopping,” c/o ITN, 2116 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818, or e-mail editor@intltravelnews.com (please include the address at which you receive ITN).

Namba is the heart of the shopping and entertainment area in Osaka, Japan. On a trip in September ’05, my husband, Don, and I took the Chuo Line subway from Osaka to Honmachi, then boarded the train on the Yotubashi line (blue color code). Once we emerged in Namba, we had no problem locating the roofed shopping street.

Kopinko in SE Asia

by John Penisten, Hilo, HI