Here is a list of all the things we brought. It's going to be a day-by-day account, so if you're not an avid shopper, you can probably give it a miss.
As much as I love bargaining for a good price in the market stalls, I also love the quality and choice in the fixed-price boutique style shops around Seminyak. You'll notice that some of the stuff we brought is probably a bit on the expensive side, but hey, I've been saving for this trip. I had money to spend and I was damn well going to enjoy myself in the process.
I'll try to list as many store names and addresses as I can, but please forgive me if I leave any out. You know what it's like when you throw out all those lovely shopping bags and business cards and then as soon as you get home, you wish you'd kept them all. I've got a few, so we'll see how we go.
First Days' Shopping
We spent the first day shopping on the beach outside our hotel, then onto Geneva (Jl Raya Kerobokan, left hand side heading north), then down to Sakura (Kartika Plaza, opposite the Ramayana hotel) for DVDs.
Ladies copy Gucci watch 30,000 ($4) from the beach
Beaded necklace (the dramatic type that starts with strands high up on your neck and then gradually the strands get longer and longer so it covers your whole cleavage), along with 2 really funky beaded rings 50,000 ($6.80) from the beach
2 mens copy Bvlgari watches 80,000 ($10.90) from the beach
3 chiffon tops. The ladies might remember last year you could buy those lovely chiffon sarongs with the beading and embroidery, well now they have long sleeved, round neck tops with embroidery around the neck, wrists and bottom. We managed to get them for 30,000 each ($4). They have every colour imaginable.
At Geneva we spent 571,000 ($78). As I've put everything away, I don't thing I can remember it all here now but I'll give it a go. 3 cushion covers, 2 scarfs, 3 silver candle holders, 1 silver bowl, a bunch of decorative stems (you know the ones you put in vases for displays), a heap of shell and wood bangles for gifts, a set of 3 serving plates (1 small, 1 medium, 1 large), with a shell inlay down the middle, 8 round placemats. I know there was more but I just can't think. I have to go and have a look where I've put everything.
DVDs at Sakura for 10,000, but everyone knows that. The more you buy the more you get free.
A guy from the markets approached my partner outside Sakura with a man's leather wallet. I don't think he even needed a wallet, but he just loves to haggle, so he now has a new wallet. 40,000 ($5.40).
We were with another family with 2 children, so all the girls went across to Stadium Café for a drink while the 2 men went to find the 'under the counter' Billabong shirts we'd heard about. I told my partner to only pay 35,000 but when he returned with 2 for 50,000 each, and seemed pretty happy with himself, I couldn't really say anything. ($6.80 each).
Oh dear, a few days ago I posted a 'Sort of JBR' stating that I wouldn't go into too much detail, and here I am totally indulging myself. At least I'm amongst like-minded addicts. I guess if you can't be in Bali then the next best thing is to be on the forum.
Better leave it at that for now, there's lots more days to go.
Leanne