In Reply to: Hi Nicno posted by Tuberose on Saturday, 26. March 2005 at 20:04 Bali Time:
Sukawati is spread over two main buildings one of which is mainly produce and stuff that is only worth a quick walk past. The other building is definitely a rabbit warren but for me well worth the rummage. I've bought beautiful paintings there at a fraction of the cost of start prices at Ubud and shoes and of course the umbereallas. there are stalls and shops a fair way up and down the streets near the main market and thsi is well worth lloking through. The umbereallas I get are on the street. Cheap sunnies too. Just stand still for 5 secs and they'll come to you.
I too read that it's a fire trap, but no more than upstairs at Ububd markets or the Denpassar markets. I checked the exits and there are quite a few.
I visited 40 properties so won't list them all here, but mainly all the ones that get raves here as it was doing my head in not knowing what they had to offer. One in particular was the Matahari hotel which comes up really well in brochures and on it's site. I had someone planning on going in there with a mixed family group of 17. I was warned that it was unsuitable and that the pool was in fact a lap pool. When I checked my self this property takes compact to a whole new world. Micro compact... the rooms are fine but there are no grounds and the pool is barely a lap pool. If you sat on a chair on your landing, not patio, you'd have people stand on your feet as they walked past. For those of us who occasionally dash up there to shop or for business this place could be ideal as it's actually very nice. But for a group wanting to maximise the property and grounds no way. In fact completely unsuitable for kids.
As for the prison visits this was to a Sumatran friend who was due for release but due to the system being 6 weeks behind he just has to wait. I was dreadfully torn about whether to ask to see Shapelle Corby or not. I'm from the Gold Coast as well and we're all praying for her here. I was worried that if I were to see her I may be asking for trouble. The other fellow I visit is in for the same reason so I didn't want to start looking dodgy myself. As it was I was questioned by an undercover for at least 20 mins. I knew what he was as I'd been warned before and the whole tone of the visiting room changed when he arrived. He singled me out, pretended to be a friend of my freind and went on to ask me heaps of drug questions. That was enough to steer me away from seeing Shapelle. My friend in there has played tennis with her a few times. Says she's very brave.
Happy Travels
Nicno