In Reply to: Bale thatched Bali huts posted by Baliku on Thursday, 10. March 2005 at 04:48 Bali Time:
There are businesses selling Bali thatched huts in most capital cities. In some places you can get the whole 'authentic' hut, and in others you can just get the alang alang (eg Mr Thatch in Perth) if you want to build your own.
Be very very careful bringing it back yourself. Customs require that the alang alang be fumigated and then specially sealed prior to shipping. There are only 2 authorised fumigators - one in Malaysia and one in Bali (recently approved). If this is not done correctly, when it arrives in Australia it will be confiscated, and destroyed and you will be charged for the cost involved in confiscating and destroying it.
One of the reasons it seems more expensive to buy in Australia is because the importers have had to go through all this and make sure the alang alang arrives in an acceptable condition, fumigated and wrapped correctly.
BUT it is lovely to have in your backyard - you can go for the whole 'Bali Garden' theme. Good luck!