位于马埃岛(Mahé)核心地带的塞尔温-克拉克市场(Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market)建于1840年,是整个塞舌尔最具生活气息的坐标。这里不需要购买门票,每天清晨5点30分准时开张,周六下午14点结束营业后会闭馆休整直到周一清晨。作为首都维多利亚的社交中心,这座两层高的维多利亚风格建筑在1999年经历了大规模翻新,至今仍保持着色彩斑斓的标志性外观,是观察岛民真实生活的最佳窗口。
这座市场以塞舌尔前总督塞尔温-塞尔温-克拉克爵士的名字命名。走进市场大门,你首先会注意到那种典型的19世纪殖民地建筑风格,即便经过了1999年的现代化修缮,其内部紧凑且错落有致的布局依然被完整保留。说真的,这里与其说是旅游景点,不如说是马埃岛人的大食堂和会客厅。如果你仔细观察建筑细节,会发现通风设计极佳,即便在热带的高温下,市场内部依然能维持自然的凉爽感。
市场坐落在繁华的市集街(Market Street),距离著名的维多利亚钟楼(Clock Tower)步行不到10分钟。这里的地理位置非常微妙,四周环绕着印度神庙和各种色彩明快的小店。你会发现当地人并不急着赶路,他们甚至会在摊位前聊上半个多小时。这种慢节奏的节奏感在周六上午会达到顶峰,那是全岛居民进城采购的日子。如果想看最热闹的场面,一定要在周六早上8点到10点之间准时出现在门口。
一楼最亮眼的一定是海鲜摊位。这里摆满了刚从印度洋捕捞回来的红鲷鱼(Red Snapper)、鹦鹉鱼和巨大的金枪鱼。这些鱼整齐地排在冰块上,表皮甚至还闪烁着金属光泽。有趣的是,摊位附近总会守着几只白色的牛背鹭(Cattle Egrets),这些聪明的鸟儿专门等着摊主清理鱼鳞时掉落的碎肉。如果你打算回民宿自己做饭,买一条中等大小的红鲷鱼大概只需要几十塞舌尔卢比,比在餐馆吃要划算得多。
越过海鲜区就是色彩最为浓郁的香料和水果区。塞舌尔的克里奥尔烹饪灵魂都藏在这里的小袋子里。你可以找到干燥的肉桂叶、新鲜的香草豆荚,还有那种被磨成粉末的特制咖喱粉。这里的香草精多为手工酿造,闻起来有一种深邃的甜香。至于水果,除了常见的芒果和木瓜,一定要找找那种长得像外星生物的释迦果或者巨大的面包果。这种面包果切开后烤着吃,味道就像新鲜出炉的面包。说句实在话,超市里的工业化包装香料在这里根本没有竞争力。
很多人会选择在周中顺路过来,但如果你想体验那种被生活感包围的冲击力,周六是唯一的选择。清晨5点半刚过,摊位就开始繁忙起来。到了9点左右,市场的过道会变得非常拥挤,这种拥挤感在塞舌尔其他地方很难体验到。这时候你会看到当地主妇如何精明地挑选螃蟹,或者大叔们聚在一起交流钓鱼心得。注意这里的付款方式,几乎所有摊位都只接受塞舌尔卢比现金,刷卡是行不通的。
大部分人逛完一楼就走了,其实沿着窄小的木质楼梯上二楼,会发现完全不同的世界。二楼分布着十几家售卖塞舌尔长裙、草编包和手绘明信片的小店。相比于外面的礼品店,这里的海岛衬衫价格更公道,花色也更有地方特色。这里还有一些当地艺术家的木刻作品,虽然包装没那么精美,但那股淳朴的匠人味儿确实很抓人。买东西的时候可以尝试轻微议价,但千万别按照大理石巴扎那种砍价方式,那样会显得很不礼貌。
该市场对所有游客免费开放,不需要购买任何形式的门票。它是一个对公众开放的日常贸易场所,直接从市集街的大门进入即可,建议预留1到2小时的游览时间。
拍摄建筑和摊位上的商品通常是被允许的,但当地人对镜头比较敏感。如果你想近距离拍摄摊主或者他们正在处理鱼类的过程,最好先点头微笑示意询问,绝大多数岛民都很友善,得到尊重后通常不会拒绝拍摄请求。
正规包装的干燥香料通常可以通过中国海关的安检,但具体的动植物检疫要求建议参考海关最新规定。在市场购买时请选择密封性较好的包装,并保留好购买记录,尽量避免购买带有泥土或未经处理的生鲜植株。
周六是市场最火爆的时候,最佳游玩时间是早晨8点到10点。超过11点后很多优质的海鲜和特色水果就会售罄,到了下午14点市场会准时关门,周日则全天处于闭馆状态。
Piyush Patel Great market with all that you want: fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, spices, souvenirs and clothes.
Asrade Abate The Selwyn Market is a large market located at the centre of Victoria, the capital of Seychelles. The market, built in 1840, is the main market in the whole of Seychelles. This market almost serves as a landmark and is the best place to buy fresh items. The market is set up in the central yard of Victoria surrounded by several small shops and financial services laid out along narrow streets. It is a relatively large colourful marketplace featuring varieties of items including fish, vegetable, fruits, spices, handicrafts, souvenirs and local products. Comparatively the Fish market takes a large space offering the catch of the day. Varieties of small fish including Calamari, Tuna, Barracuda, and Groupers are sold individually or in packs. However, larger fishes, including Shark, are offered as portions/ slice.
Stevo T This is a must see landmark in the center of Victoria. Lots of ppl and many things to see and explore. A bit smelly b’cause of the fish but I’m sure you can stand it. Also the area around the market is worth seeing.
Marie-Claire Verrender Really enjoyed exploring these markets and seeing the variety of local fresh produce, fish, herbs and spices. It has a vibrant energy.
Radek Horak This is one of those old style markets so typical to sea nations and so unusual to standard inland european. For me, first time seeing such live and of course it cannot be compared to any documentary movie. Fish, herbs, spices, fruit, vegetables, essential oils and all kind of local products in one place. So colorful to the eye, so rich to the smell :) Did not have chance to visit early in the morning, yet it was very nice experience. Small market but definitelly has the spirit.