Art and antiques

If you are in Paris and can't afford the art nouvelle of the galleries at Place des Vosges, try bargaining with the booksellers as you walk down Pont Neuf (in the picture).

Apart from secondhand books in French, which are worth a buy if your Francais is better than just comme ci comme ca, the owners will also sell you prints of old paintings of the Moulin Rouge and other famous Parisian landmarks.

And the next time you are gawking at naked girls dancing around poles, glimpsed behind doors left suggestively ajar at sex shows in Pat Pong, Bangkok, just look the other way.

You will spot Samui Art, dealers in reproductions of the Great Artists where you can pick up a Renoir, Klimt, Gaugin, Van Gogh or Warhol of your choice.

Bangkok's Chinatown with its antique shops (most of which look as ancient as the goods they sell) is definitely worth a visit.

You will find old posters of Gin Tan and Golden Valley Brandy, vintage movie posters and colourful Mao-Tse cigarette lighters.

A few hours from Bangkok is the JEATH War Museum near the famous bridge on the River Kwai, where you can even buy an original Samurai sword.

Meanwhile, back home in Mumbai, the next time you stop for a beer at Café Mondegar's in Colaba, walk down the gully and stop at the tiny shop located opposite Curio Cottage. You'll find some rather interesting antique odds and ends.