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Bali
Shopping Areas
Bedugul
In the
cooler mountain region, Bedugul is renowned as a farming area.
The local market sells fresh fruits and vegetables and
specialized in orchids and other plants.
Batubulan
Batubulan
is renowned for stone carvings. Traditionally, stone
sculptures carved from soft volcanic rock called paras were
used to adorn temples and palaces but recently they are sold
for export as well. The craftsmen can make practically
anything you request from a Garuda to a garden gnome.
Recently, many antique shops have sprung up on the same road,
selling items from all over the Indonesia. Discerning buyers
may well find a bargain.
Bona
Bona is a
village known for bamboo growing and goods produced from
bamboo such as furniture and mats. The villagers also produce
goods made of lontar leaves.
Celuk
Continuing
on the road to Ubud, you will pass through Celuk, home of
silver and gold artisans. Huge stores house a wide variety of
all types of intricately designed pieces. The silver filigree
work is quite amazing. Bargaining is a must. If you can go off
the main road into the village where the craftsmen work and
live you will get better prices.
Duty Free
Shopping
Plaza Bali and DFS have duty free
shopping outlets in Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua and the airport in
Bali. They have a wide range of designer label boutiques. Bare
in mind some products in Indonesia don't have a high duty,
such as cigarettes.
Denpasar
The
capital of Bali is not generally a tourist area but there are
a few main areas worth to checking out. The Kumbasari market
near the river gives an interesting overview of an Indonesia
market with household wares and clothing on the third level,
spices and dried goods on the second level and traditional
market in the basement. It can be a bit dark in the basement
so watch your step. Nearby is Jalan Hasanudin, a whole street
of gold shops, selling 18-22 carat gold jewelry. Not far away
from jalan Hasanudin is jalan Sulawesi where all manner of
fabrics are available. The whole street consists of fabric
stores on both sides with a few household ware stores in
between. If you're looking for handicrafts, there are quite a
few shops in jalan Gajah Mada selling similar items to those
seen in Kuta, but without the hawkers. It's a good idea to
check the government run handicraft center in Tohpati
(Sanggraha Kriya Asti) which has a range of handicrafts at
fixed price and will help you a measure as to what's available
for a certain price. Denpasar has a large selection of
department stores. Try Matahari, Libi, Tiara Dewata, Tragia or
Ramayana. Supermarkets are located within the areas of most of
these department stores.
Gianyar
Gianyar
has many textile factories producing all manner of cloth, ikat
and some batik. You're able to observe the weaving process and
of course to purchase.
Kuta/Legian/Seminyak
The main road in Kuta has a
multitude of shops and restaurants on each side selling a wide
variety of goods including swimwear, sarongs, handicrafts,
cassette's, CDs, jewelry, clothing, furniture and leather
goods. You'll also get hit for watches, transport and
bracelets from the ever-present street hawkers. If you're not
interested in their wares, don't make eye contact. If you look
at the goods, they will follow you for the next kilometer or
so, even if you insist you're not buying. The upper end of
jalan Legian from Seminyak to Kerobokan
has turned somewhat into an enclave of boutiques specializing
in men's and ladies clothing, interior, furniture and some
interesting deli's and warungs. There're not many hawkers up
this end of the street which makes for a nice
change.
Klungkung
Klungkung
has a busy traditional market and it is also home to some of
the oldest antique stores in Bali. You can find krises,
songket sarongs and some quality 22-carat gold pieces in
Balinese designs here.
Kamasan
Home of
traditional Balinese "Kamasan" painting where a line drawing
is made in black ink by a master artist and colored in with
natural pigments. Eggs, banners, paintings, bags, hats and
many other goods decorated with Kamasan painting are all
available here. The "Kerta Gosa" (Hall of Justice) at
Klungkung features some impressive displays of Kamasan style
paintings.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua
has a small market at the entranceway to Nusa Dua where you
can still find some bargains. If you venture out of the gates
there's also the Tragia Supermarket and Department stores and
some leather shops and tailors close by. The main shopping
complex, the Galleria with a variety of restaurants and
stores. The stores have mostly fixed price selling high
quality items. The Kris Gallery is worth checking for some
unique items. All the hotels have shopping areas with nice
products and nice prices to match.
Sanur
Sanur's
main shopping street is Jalan Danau Tamblingan and it is
somewhat more peaceful then shopping in Kuta. There are still
a few hawkers but they're not as aggressive, except at the
beach market. Sanur has an interesting variety of shops with
lots of nice restaurants dotted between. There're also an Art
Market with woodcarvings and other
handicrafts.
Sukawati
Sukawati
has a new art market and a traditional market on the main road
and side streets. A large assortment of woven baskets can be
found here along with Balinese ceremonial items made from
colorful "Prada" - gold
painted cloth. These include dance costumes, fans, umbrellas
and clothes worn at tooth filings and weddings.
Tegalalang
Home of
woodcarvers, this village and nearby villages specialize in
the carving of soft wood figures. Brightly painted flowers,
frogs, fruits and animal figures feature
heavily.
The Bypass
Proceeding
the main road or the by pass from Nusa Dua to Sanur you'll see
on either side of the road, many pottery, wrought iron and
furniture stores. You can find some good pieces if you look
carefully and bargain
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