The HUGE new shopping centre between the Kartika Plaza and Bali Garden is set to fully open next month – Starbucks the first tenant opened on Saturday night 6th Nov with a party. An article I read whilst up there suggested that tourism authorities are keen to make Bali the shopping capital of SE Asia. At the moment the building with its white marble look fascia is very stark and really stands out along the beach and on the streetscape with no landscaping. No doubt it will attract many people when it is fully operational (although there seems to be a hell of a lot of space to fill) but not really my cup of tea I'm afraid
Plenty of people have reported on Dianne's shop and Geneva Handicraft and I can only repeat the recommendations and comments. Dianne seems to greet everyone like a long lost friend and prices were great, Geneva H'craft is amazing – the size and selection along with great prices.
As well as all the usual purchases – DVD's, watches, sunnies, bags, jewellery, place mats, cushion covers, table runners etc – I found most Nivea Visage products I use to be about a third of the price I pay here, and for anyone with a teenager who uses Johnson and Johnson 'Clean and Clear' products – again about a third of the price here
Whilst in the area, the memorable places we ate at were:
Kunyit Bali – on Jalan Kartika Plaza, Tuban (next to Santika Beach Hotel)
We ate twice at this classy, open pavilion style restaurant set back from the road – food was good, the staff were very efficient and pleasant and the toilets were superb!!
Sate Campur 31500, Bakmi Goreng 29500, large Bintang 24500, small Bintang 13500, with water and the full 21% - a grand total of 139755
We went back for the Rijstaffel – 118800 for 2 people – really more than we could eat – drinks and the 21% took this up to 186100
Ratu Restaurant – accessed from a walkway off Jalan Legian just across the road from the Memorial, or off Poppies 2
Exceptionally friendly and pleasant staff – great list of what they expect from staff in the way of cleanliness and presentation included with the menu
Chicken Sate 21000, Cheeseburger with chips 17000, and juices at 7000 each – no tax or service added – a great lunch for 59000 total
a.m.e.c.a café and bar – Jalan Petitenget 15, Kerobokan
This delightful café is a bit off the beaten track, but is a brand new venture attached to a stylish furniture showroom – both only open since the middle of the year. The chef is especially keen on Indian dishes – again we were here at lunch time – presentation of the food was equal to anything I've seen in a quality cafe here in Oz and flavours were great
Mixed satay 20000, chicken samosas (3) 10000, potato wedges 8000, juice 8000 and a lime squash 6000. Here the add on was 15% - making another modest total 59800
Zanzibar Beach Bar and Restaurant – Jalan Pantai (the beach road just north of the Jayakarta)
A great location overlooking Legian Beach – we had a wonderful breakfast here – a huge American – 24000 and Eggs Benedict 15000
Next time its off to Gili Trawangan - the most fabulous place!!!