In Reply to: Recommended shopping and other advice posted by zeedart on Monday, 28. February 2005 at 14:25 Bali Time:
Don't worry. You can access cash by ATM at a good rate and you can take cash. Make sure you leave your cash in your hotel safe and only take out what you think you will need for the day. Travellers cheques are okay but you get a slightly less rate for them. A lot of big shopping centres like Discovery mall, Matahari, and specialist fashion shops take credit cards. Buy a bum bag (25k Rp)and strap it to you and put your cash and mobile phone in it. This is as safe as any a way to carry your valuables around Bali. The thieves are still active in Bali and there have been a few robberies. One bloke from our hotel was followed back to the pub because he got pissed and then cashed up and so somehow the thie/ves got thru hotel security and into his un-locked room and helped themselves to a lot of cash.
Have a look around before you buy and ask any English speaking people who may have been there a few days earlier at your hotel where to get stuff that you want. The pool and the dining room are always good meeting spots. This is always a good source of info as well as searching this forum.