Ostend Market

It was a great shame that the rain had rolled in for our visit here. Lots of people were crowded into the hall, it was like walking down Oxford Street (London) at Christmas. Saw a few cool looking trade stores, brought a lovely handmade card. The little tea urn was boiling overtime.
Outside being wet, it was not idea to sample of the delights on offer. There was some sort of dance presentation trying to put a show on, but the rain beat them.
I liked the look of the different food stalls, was tempted to try the Hungarian bread, but it would have ended a soggy mess.
Hoping the weather plays ball on our next visit.

An institution on Waiheke Island, Saturday morning markets at Ostend.
Love the food stalls, everything from samosas, crepes, Turkish breads and baklava, organic spelt breads, artisan yoghurt and cheese, island olives and fresh fruits and vegetables. But be in quick because believe me, things sell out fast and you’d not want to go away hungry.
The stalls spill out from the Ostend hall to the curb and adjoining field. Regular merchants come and sell their wares as well as garage sale type stalls.
We picked up a few items of bargain clothing from the latter. Also couldn’t resist some ceramic artworks for sale at wholesale prices at the market.
We loved the buskers and the addition of sail covers to the central area. A great day out for the family, wouldn’t miss a Saturday.

Staying just up the road for the weekend, I was blown away when I stumbled across the local Ostend markets on a Saturday morning.
A real community market: arts and crafts, fresh local fruit and vege, plants, Waiheke-​made produce including olive oil, bread and preserves, local food stalls with an international flavour, Waiheke-​made organic skincare, jewellery, new and second-​hand clothing, old and new goods and books, health and healing practitioners, pony rides, bungy trampoline and toffee apples for the kids … in fact, everything under the sun!
Every Saturday from 7.30am the people of Waiheke Island congregate to buy and sell, swap stories and catch up with friends over a cup of fresh Island coffee. You could tell the locals come every Saturday to see what’s going on, in fact it was hard to move through the stalls at some points it was so busy!