Amazingly, and to my great relief, the bulk of the handbag shopping was quick and painless. We started looking at Discovery Plaza (first floor, not ground floor), the favourite stall where most of Cool's purchases were made last trip. The ladies there have good quality bags, better than many of the bags on the streets, and since some of these were for gifts, it was worth the few extra dollars. We found new designs (Prada 'patent leather', Versace formal, etc) which we would see in more expensive places as the days went by but not in the street stalls, so after my opinion was sought, four (or was it five?) were bought and we retired to Bali Colada for a drink (their Ginger Chill is wonderful). Of course this didn't mean we stopped looking elsewhere and a few more were bought over the rest of our time!
Shopping in Matahari, I was taken by the big urns (at the bottom of each escalator) filled with water and covered with beautiful designs 'painted' in flower petals and greenery which I guess must be redone every couple of days. We were disappointed because we were unable to find the legendary Baliopoly, I guess it must be a victim of the copyright police?
I have always been fascinated by those roadside 'petrol stations', selling gas by the litre (roughly) in wine flagons, vodka bottles, even plastic water bottles. Our Worksafe department would have kittens if they could see them.
Polo shirts for work and other clothing for family came from Dianne's. She has everything running so smoothly, I'm sure if she was in business in Australia, she would be a millionaire. It would be great if people tried the other stores as well, instead of just queuing at Dianne's. The other shopkeepers all know what she charges and will match her prices, but maybe their lives could be easier and more profitable if they tried the other system? I guess we'll never know.
We spent ages looking all over Kuta, Tuban and Legian for Element t-shirts for Cool's nephew without success - lost count of the number of Elephant shirts we were offered!
I wanted a shirt made with some material I had brought with me, and also needed to get a 'man purse' copied for a friend of mine. Following recommendations from the forum we sought out Mr Aristo at Merry Tailors. Although Mr Aristo wasn't in, I got measured for the shirt and left the bag to be copied. When I went back to pick them up a few days later I met Mr Aristo, but sadly the shirt was too small (no, I hadn't gained weight!), and they had forgotten to put in the openings along the sleeves at the cuffs which allow you to get your hands through (if you know what I mean). A solution was promised, and when I went back two days later, all was well. The bag was perfectly copied with compartments, linings, zips etc all as the original. Not exactly cheap by Bali standards, but a decent result in the end.
Leaving Merry's the first time, we went to La Monde just around the corner for a drink. Margaritas were out as they had no Cointreau so we went for tequila sunrises instead. Judging by the taste, they must have been out of tequila as well! When we left the ladies from next door tried to get us to have a massage, but sorry, not this time. When I walked past again a couple of days later (alone this time) the same lady asked if I wanted a massage. 'I make you extra-happy ending!' she promised, but 'Sorry, maybe next trip'.
Dinner that night at Ifiori (Cool's treat, beauty!). It was quiet when we went in, they seated us at a very low coffee table and we ordered a drink, then the menus came. We gave our orders and finished our drinks, then the waitress came and started setting our places at the coffee table. I said we would prefer to sit at a regular table, and we were shown to one right by the front window which was great. However, the seat which was offered to me was right across the main front door, anyone coming in or out would have had to squeeze past! (Oh well, that's Bali!). I moved my setting to the side of the table and we were fine with a great view of the world going past, excellent margaritas and delicious food. Cool & I both had fresh-made rosemary herb bread and Lamb Shank with Herb & Parmesan crust. Brilliant, I thought it would be at home in any top restaurant in Perth.
Yes, there's more to come, including the Margarita Score Card...