Well we have been home for 2 and a half weeks and I am still "home sick" for Bali. Luckily we have bits and pieces of Bali all over the house as reminders of our wonderful holiday.
This time i bought a beqautiful green temple umbrella that is now decorating the table on our deck. I put the long pole in with the surfboards and it managed to arrive home in one piece. The starting price was 50,000rph and i ended up paying 30,000- a bargain! I bought this at Nusa Dua- whiched we had done most of shopping there as it was very quiet and the starting prices were the lowest of all our travels. I also bought a beautiful wooden outrigger for which I paid a whopping 15,000- again only 5,ooo less than the starting price. I may have been able to get them for less but I was more than happy with the paid prices. We sat on the beach for a while and took in the views of the kites flying in the breeze- which ranged from very very big to smaller ones.
We had lunch at the first restaurant on the beach and the bill was hit with a 21 percent tax- which came as a surprise to us.. Still cheaper than here in Oz, but we were a family of 4 stying for 25 nites so it was more than we expected.
Something else with regards to shopping- I must tell you about the great jeans that I bought. I am a generous size 14 here in oz but I did manage to buy jeans from Versace Jeans Couture in Kuta Square. They cost me AUD $33 as well as 10,000 rph to have the legs shortened. They are by far the best fitting jeans that I have ever worn. I have had so many comments from people.I bought a pair of Versace and 1 pair of Ice jeans. They wash up beautifully. I had met a lady at the pool at MBR who has been buying jeans from this shop for 5 years and reccomended them. I am glad that I took her advice and this will be my first stop on my next visit- only next time i will buy at least 6 pairs. Credit cards are accepted at this shop. Cold water is handed to everyone who enters the store.Please visit this shop if you are a jeans wearer.
Another of my treasured purchases was the cushion covers that i had made from Super pillow (near MBR) I chose a design and within 2 days I was the proud owner of 4 large and 4 small matching cushion covers. They have tassells on each corner and look like a million dollars in my lounge room.Another valued item is my son's new school blazer that we had made at Novia Tailor(walking distance from MBR). we took his old Blazer to Bali- here the cost is $190.00 Aud and we had a new jacket tailor made for $50 Aud. I do have to purchase the embroidered pocket here as it couldnt be made in Bali. But this was such a bargain price- we also had great savings on school trousers and shorts. I took a pair of shorts with me and they copied new ones as well as made trousers. The shorts were $14 and the trousers were aprox $19 compared with $39 and $79 here from the school uniform shop.
My dear little four legged companion is still happily wearing his leather doggie jacket and must be the envy of his neighbourhood friends when he has his afternoon walks. I only paid $15 for it compared to $25 for a flanel one here. At these prices, I didn't even try to lower the prices. It seems that the tailors and leather makers can copy anything that you show them. My eldest son had a leather ipod case made- he took one with him that cost $35 here and had a much better copy made for $10. I had bought a microfibre bag for around $10 from our local"cheap shop" and took it to Bali and for $24 have a beautiful leather one - slightly larger. My leather jacket has been put to good use on these frosty mornings. This cost me $110 for just above the knee length jacket.We had all our leather goods made at "Kool It Leather "in Poppies II. All our items were delivered to us at our hotel foyer. I love the leather jacket and should of had one made years ago on my first visit. However I used to arrive in Bali and due to the heat there, would talk myself out of it saying that it doesnt get cold enough here. Not to mention the copy LV sandals, watches,Wallet, handbags and sunnies. I feel that being the only female in this family, that I have acquired a great deal of items for MEEEEEEE, myself and I that I have managed without for years.
But after my 4 th visit to Bali I still return home saying- wish I had of got this, should have bought more of that. And I honestly told everyone that I would not need to buy much this time. Next time I do intend to have some clothes tailor made for my self. And I will certainly not buy for others- if they want stuff- they can go buy their own. I will only buy watches for others as they dont take up much room.
Well it is my bed time so I have to end.I will post more in "my spare time". I am a slow typer, however I enjoy reding all the postings from the forumites. To thoose of you in Bali and to those who are on the sleeps countdown to go, I am so terribly jealous. i have to wait until next June school holidays. Have a great time. and keep the news rolling.