Money
Permata Bank ATM in Jl Werkudara (Rum Jungle Rd - Padma St end)
was giving 3 million rp withdrawals when we were there.
To exchange money we always used the Fuji Shop opposite
Matahari in Kuta Square.
Sim Cards
Fuji Shop in Matahari or the one opposite Matahari.
Pharmacy
Bali Galleria
If possible, we try and see the pharmacist in the Guardian Pharmacy
In Bali Galleria, on the right as you are walking down to Ramayana.
She is very knowledgeable and speaks excellent English.
Driver
Ketut Barka
We always use Ketut who we have found to be honest and reliable. Ketut also speaks excellent English and is lots of fun.
O813 3803 9227
0361 722564
Fax 62 361 722564
ketutnarka@yahoo.com
Another driver we like very much is Nyoman who sits outside the Kumala Pantai, also very honest and speaks great English.
0812 3657 713
Tailor
Merry's Collection
Jl Padma Utara (on corner near Melati & The Coffee Shop)
0361 7453145
0817 475 8159
ariskuwayahoo.com.au
Always shop here for suits and leather goods including bags, jackets and shoes. He can be a little more expensive than some, but we have found him to be excellent. 650,000 rp for a thigh length leather jacket. 250,000 for a back pack/shoulder large handbag. 650,000 for a suit lined.
Leather Wallets & Bags
Tommy's
Padma St, Legian (near Posers)
0361 756770
Fax: 0361 756770
If you are after an unusual wallet, then Tommy's is great and they have a wide selection of bags.
Bags and Shoes
Lisa Shop
Jl Werkudara (Rum Jungle Rd - Legian St end)
0361 759174
lisahandycraft@yahoo.com
A huge selection of bags and shoes that are exported to a number of Australian shops in Sydney and Melbourne. Worth a look around.
Silver
Ilas Silver
Jl Monkey Forest Rd - Ubud
Jl Werkudawa (Rum Jungle Rd, Legian St end on right)
Jl Raya Celuk Sukawati
0361 298873
Fax: 62 361 298873
Not a huge variety of coloured stone items, however good prices and what they do have are nice designs. Paid around 70,000ro for thread earrings and 90,000rp for rings for males.
For more variety as far as colour and stones goes then try
Silver Boat
Jl Legian Kaja No 450 Kuta (not far from Glory's but on opposite side of the road)
0361 753706
0813 3846 1313
www.silver-boat.com
info@silver-boat.com
For the straight silver items, however Ilas Silver were a lot cheaper.
Pearls
Lombok Pearls
Darwin
0852 3727 2586
On the beach outside Kumala Pantai
Darwin is great, he is much cheaper than most of the pearl sellers and will do any design you ask him to overnight. I got some gorgeous pearl and silver bracelets for 20,000 rp ... earrings between 25,000 and 70,000 depending on the amount of silver and number of pearls.
Spa
Melasti Spa
Jl Padma Utara
Melasti Beach Resort
Had two cream baths and I had a massage last trip, always ask for Dewi who is very gentle, for a more firm massage ask for Bella.
Clothes
Too many to mention but there is a shop on the right hand side just down from Glory's towards Kuta and it's a painted pink on the outside. They have lovely clothes in there, tops, dresses, skirts and pants in all sizes from small to large and good quality. I always buy something here every trip. Bought mens shoes, shirts, undies and dress pants from Ramayana in Denpasar (excellent price), kids clothes and shoes are good there also however women's clothes were not really what I was looking for, bought shoes from Ramayana in Kuta Square. Bought some nice long and ¾ pants from Giordano Linen who are in Kuta Square and in Discovery Mall. Jeans from the Versace Shop in Kuta Square ($10.00) plus other things that I simply cannot remember right now.
Perfume
Duty Free Sydney Airport
Makeup
Duty Free Sydney Airport for Mac products, they have this fab eyeliner that is waterproof and an eyeliner mascara for thickening eyebrows and colouring them. Long lasting lip-gloss from Max Factor that does not dry out and lasts all day no matter what you're doing.
Skin Care
Martha Tillar products from Ramayana in Denpasar.
Beach Bar
Sam's outside Inna Kuta Hotel.
Safari's outside Kumala Pantai Hotel.
DVD's
Sakura
Jl Kart5ika Plaza
0856 3714 835
Fax 62 361 238868
sakura_groups@yahoo.com.au
As always Sakura opposite Ramayana Hotel in the Kuta Art Markets.
Watches
Front of Matahari's - fixed price.
Billabong
Email me for details on this please thredbear at hotmail dot com.
Weddings
Cannot recommend the Keraton enough for what they did for my sisters wedding, they went out of their way to make the day as special as possible. The service and food were beyond expectation and my sister was very happy with all that they did, the price was very reasonable and far less than booking through a wedding organiser. The Keraton hired a wedding planner to assist and this was all included in the total cost. The setting on the lawns that rolled out to the beach was gorgeous at sunset. The ceremony itself was held on the sand where a rose petal heart had been placed as well as a stage with a lounge and other decorations. Chairs were covered in white with a gold ribbon tie. Buffet and tables were set up on the lawn as well as a stage for the band and a dance platform. The staff were attentive and friendly. Leaves rolled into a cone and filled with rose petals were given to all guests to throw over the Bride and Groom as they left along the rose petal path that was placed in the sand. Bride and Groom looked fabulous with my sister wearing what I thought could not have been a more perfect outfit. Over 40 guests travelled from Australia to attend and there were many great nights leading up to the big event. The Bride and Groom were given a veil to wear, didn't the locals think that was a scream.... off we all ventured, girls night included cocktails at Melasti Beach Resort before heading to Legends in Garlic Lane for dinner and more cocktails and more cocktails..... The band was fabulous as always, playing lots of familiar 70's and 80's songs as well as some from the 60's and we sang, drank and danced the night away, had a ball, some even ventured on to the stage for a lil show. Meanwhile the boys were at the Indo for dinner and then moved on to the Hulu Club.... late in the evening we received a message that the Groom was on stage and so off we went down to the Hulu but alas we just missed it (got photographic evidence however). The boys had to watch themselves as it seemed the more bintangs, the better looking 'the women' were becoming. Some ventured out later to a nightclub .. according to a witness the taxi driver was reluctant to take this very large group of semi sober males and females to Embargo... needless to say he did and they all piled in (literally). Now we are not talking 20 year olds here, most are over 40 with many heading towards 50. Some are those Mums and Dads that tell their kids 'not to venture into those nightclubs in Kuta' and here they are at 1am throwing a few back and having a ball. I recall some saying that a few did not recall the night's events whilst others managed to get home nearer to midnight and join the girls in the pool at Kumala (rain and all). More information about the wedding can be obtained from my sister, just email me and I will put you in the right direction.
All in all a fabulous holiday where we experienced some fabulous restaurants, had some great nights out, floated around the pool on the floats that were brought over from Australia (you can purchase some in Ramayana for around 80,000), drinking and sleeping. Some days we ventured down to the beach to soak up the sun, most evenings were also down at Safari's beach bar with the occasional shopping. Did not get a chance to catch up with Smudge as I had planned or to do some other things I was going to do but there is always next time.
Noticed some of the beach sellers were a little more abrupt and aggressive this trip, some very pushy and whilst I understand why it really makes things stressful. Tended to stick with the girls I always buy from.... Wendy outside Inna Kuta at Sam's Bar for shirts, sarongs etc, some of the others there also for hair clips and bangles and for tattoo's for my son, we always use Tony also at Sam's Bar.
A very relaxing holiday.... Did not meet the millionaire of my dreams but hey .. maybe next time :)