My second full day in Bali, and I decide to check out Geneva Handicrafts, Golden Buffalo and Millenia, all of which I'd read about on the BTF, and I hadn't been to before.
Because they are all located fairly close to each other, I decided to hire a car & driver for 5 hours (120,000rp)and go firstly to Golden Buffalo, then on to Millenia, and lastly Geneva.
Golden Buffalo: Jalan Teuku Umar Barat 9F, Denpasar.
Ph No.(0361) 483 986 Fax: (0361) 483 987
Website: www.indonesiabronze.com
I also noticed a smaller Golden Buffalo shop on Jalan Legian, between Melasti & Padma streets, on the right hand side heading towards Seminyak end.
This store advertises as the biggest and most complete store for bronze products in Indonesia, but they also make items in a mix of other metals such as copper, zinc and tin.
They make ornaments such as candle holders, desk lamps, various kinds of primitive and animal sculptures, dragons, goddesses, Egyptians, masks, buddhas, musicians, Ganesha and more.
Each aisle houses a stock of one particular category, from small to very large in size.
I bought 2 dragons for my collection, a double headed "silver" candlestick cost 90,000rp(I have seen them here in Oz for about $68), and the antique bronze twin dragon with intertwined tails cost 85,000rp, and the small silver mask head on a stand cost 45,000rp.
They also do such items as 3 silver geckos on a black velvet background, and set into a grey wooden framed box. These look really nice when lit up as a feature display, and I will buy next trip.
Millenia: Jalan Teuku Umar/Jln Diponegoro.
Ph No:(0361) 222 220 Fax: (0361) 264 454
Website: www.millenia.co.id
I visited this store on the recommendation from Nin Azarin who posted about it back in early June.
It's a 2 story warehouse factory outlet with labels such as Calvin Klein, Arnold Palmer, Old Navy, Osh Kosh, Faded Glory, Tommy Hilfiger & DKNY.
It's the sort of place that has ends of runs, last seasons stock etc, and may have lots of appeal one month, but not the next, or at least that's how I saw it.
I did buy a cute pair of Faded Old Glory denim overall shorts for a niece for 49,000rp, but that was all. The mens clothing had nothing to fit my bigger sized hubby which was sad because the prices were so good!
Arnold Palmer golf shorts were selling for 49,000rp, the Calvin Klein short sleeved shirts for 19,500rp, and the Italian Enrico Martinelli wool trousers were 145,000rp, so everything was certainly very cheap.
Geneva Handicraft Centre: Jl Raya kerobokan No 100.
Ph No: (0361) 733 671 Fax: (0361) 733637 - Closed on Sundays!
Website: www.genevahandicraft.com
This was where I spent the most time, buying items on the 2nd floor as well as the 3rd floor. Everything other forumites have written about this place is true and more! Allow yourself a minimum of one and a half hours here - we spent two!
Many of the things that I bought were 3 times the price at Matahari, and there was an excellent range of items.
Some of the prices were as follows:
- beaded jewellery boxes - small: 9100rp med: 16,800rp
- shell jewellery boxes lined with velvet - 12,600rp
- shell earrings - 2380 rp - although not a big selection
- shadow picture box made with sand/wood and shells - 30,000rp ( no problems when I declared them at Perth customs
- small clove box - 10,000rp
- sarong clips (coconut shell) - bag of 20 - 9800rp
- surfboard keyrings - 980rp
- wood platter with old Bali coin insert - 33,000rp
- large wood bowl with rattan handles and edging - 35,000rp
- camel colour rattan clutch handbag - 27,800rp
- floating frangipani scented candles bag of 8 small - 5,600rp
- lge floating frangipani candle - 2100rp
I also bought a cute twig lamp stand for 21,000rp, but I did notice that the bottom of each twig had a hole or two in them. I bought some insect spray from the supermarket and gave it 2 good sprays whilst encased in plastic bags. Nothing was in the bag in the morning, so I was hoping to get it back through customs.
However, when it became obvious that we had soooooooo much luggage, and hubby was stressing out about it all, I decided to give it away to a friend at the hotel.It would've been just one more bag to carry on as hand luggage, so better not to "rock the boat" any further at that stage! So sorry guys, am not able to say whether it is okay to bring in or not.
I have seen these lamps here, and they look like a bundle of twigs tied up with string.A local friend said that they are made from the green twiggy bits that you see growing out from the top of the coconut tree, just before the palm fronds. They are dried and then used decoratively.
I would be interested to know if anyone has successfully brought these into the country please?
More to follow later on surf shops, factory outlets and prices.
I think it's time for a bintang now ( I wish!). Perhaps a wine'll do the trick instead. Cheers.