Shopping was a bit hindered during the second week but when you are determined to shop a gummy leg is no barrier. I was destined not to shop in Double Six this trip. I like buying sarongs and beads there as most shops are fixed prices and the variety is always good. We made several visits down there- once on a Sunday and once around 8.30pm and most shops were deserted/closed.
French Leather in Jl Sahadewa. I decided to go back this year and see if I could get a small purse made. I was looking for a Cassino purse and discussed my order and agreed price but when it was made it had a thin strap and a few sections were not fully sewn. I was disappointed again as last year we had purses made there and they fell apart on out first outing. They did make a wider strap and deliver to the hotel but I may buy elsewhere in future.
Ketuts. Jl Sahadewa Marched the boys down there as soon as we arrived as 3 of them took underwear only so needed shorts and shirts immediately. 'No problem', no fuss, cold water for all and plenty of sizes and variety to choose from. My favourite purchases were 2 beautiful embroidered sarongs very detailed with butterflies and scalloped edging in contrasting colours around the bottom and made into skirts on elastic waists.
This year I bought a few things from the traders surrounding Ketuts shop - from Alex I purchased navy and black striped dress men's shorts for 80000 and from Gawad shop I purchased some nice denim shorts 80 000 and some sunnies for 20000. I did look at the merchandise in the new little shop opposite Ketuts (mostly quilts etc) but the young lady running the place didn't seem to interested in making a sale and when I asked about covers only there was a disinterested reply of 'don't have'.
Did give Miss Debby Jl Sahadewa some business but it's a pest if there's no one in the shop as they prefer that customers don't come into the compound unaccompanied.
My 270000 leather shoes from Jocelynes Jl Melasti feel like a pair of jiffies to wear. For those of you who remember the humble jiffy I have noticed that they are making a comeback. I always feel like a very important and wealthy customer in Jocelynes - the attention and assistance I am given when trying on shoes reminds me of the customer service of 60's & 70's.They carry plenty of larger sizes so I am always assured that I will find something that I not only like but something that will fit my large hooves.
Bought plenty of local stuff mostly from the Chinese medicine shop outside Bintang Supermarket - Minyak angin cap lang, Antimo. Balsem Gosek & balsem Activ, koko Cabe, Rempah cuci, Silver Clove and Komix satchets
Komang and husband Ketut from House of Komang Jl Padma (opposite Legian Village Hotel) are possibly having a nice holiday in some 5 star at Nusa Dua after I paid my account for the many items I had made. Pleased with every piece- she was happy to come to the hotel for fittings in the comfort of air conditioning and very few things needed alteration from the initial fitting. I am so chuffed with my Versche silk mother of the groom outfit - bit too classy for this old girl but I will feel like the belle of the ball at the wedding. She also made 6 pairs of industrial quality painters pants for the young bloke. They cost 130000 per pair (she supplied the material) and they are the best pants he has had for work. I also used her young brother Putu as a driver a few times for local trips. We cruised around in the old Cortina (I think it was a Cortina) and I found him enjoyable company.
Boston Chemist outside Mattahari Supermarket Kuta Square- had fake masseur shoes- wish I had bought a second pair - they were only 129800. I wear the spiky ones to help my circulation but they had both smooth and spiky in black or tan and plenty of sizes. I think Jodi bought 4 pairs.
Rumahkita in Discovery was disappointing this time - I usually manage to find a few unusual things and specials there but this time I left with only a couple of table tennis bats.
Ketut Winarta (sign maker). I found this very talented young man in Padma Utara near the Four Seasons Hotel. He had the nicest signs and better quality than most. His contact numbers are 081805698691 and +(62-361)7908091
Spent a few dollars at Candi Kuning markets - found my favourite seller Made Erma inside the produce sheds and purchased quite a few spices mostly for 5000 a packet. The vanilla beans are a favourite - I reminded the kids to put the dry ones back and pick fresh soft ones. All the spices got through quarantine - we declared everything but the inspection was a bit 'slap happy'. Found some really cute infants outfits at the King Kong man- can't help but like this bloke and I forgive our first encounter in 2006 when he shouted to me from his door way - 'come here, we have King Kong size for you'
Enjoyed the shopping at Unagi - Jl Tueku Umar Barat Kerobokan. Better quality stock than Geneva. Most things aren't priced - they follow you around and tell you prices. Although I promised not to buy any more wind chimes I did find a large pelican one I couldn't resist for 35000. Bought a few sets of nice wooden salad servers for 7000 and plenty of butterfly nic nacks. Bit of a pest once you finish - items are listed and priced on docket then you go to the back of the store to pay Closed Sundays. I did ask for a business card but the reply was simply 'fin is'.
Geneva Jl Raya Kerobokan - I still always manage to buy a trolley full here. This trip we rode the shonky looking lift and let me tell you that I avoid lifts like the plague here in Oz but this drab looking mechanism rode so smoothly and we got out of it giggling with relief that we made it.
Always like a roam through Ace Hardware behind Kuta Galeria and bought an open fire grill to keep the better half happy.
Alta Moda - front of Kuta Galeria Jl Patih Jelantik Kuta. This was a mercy dash in the hope that I could find the Versche silk that I purchased last year as Komang was going to make a jacket to match the pants that I had made last year. There are still 7 to 9 attendants per customer and the nice man with the orange dyed hair greeted me on arrival - I bet he was rubbing his hands together expecting that I was on a similar shopping blitz to last year. I showed him my sample and he nodded and suggested 3rd floor. He didn't follow me - perhaps he twigged that I was only making one purchase. I rode the gold embossed lift to the 3rd floor - I always expect someone rich and famous to step out of that lift as it looks so upper-class. I found the silk and didn't get tempted to look at any other fabrics. This year I had taken a lot of material with me- there is a small shop just near where I work and he has many reduced end of roll specials @ $2 a metre so for the past 12 months I have been hoarding pieces of materials - I am sure in a previous life I was a squirrel.
I shopped lots of other places but didn't keep notes on things.
Just a few grocery items from various supermarkets especially for first timers to get the idea of what's on offer
Careefour
Coco Pops 400g 18150
Fairy Floss 9000
Fresh Milk 1 litre 9870
Slim Coke Cold 3290
Sm Colgate tooth paste 12590
Mug Jug element( Kompor 350 w ) 14900
Bintang supermarket
Bubblewrap 13750
Coke 330 4 pack 17350
Pringles 16150
Lipton tea 25s 8150
Glade aerosol 10775
Tiara behind Kuta Galeria
Betadine band aids 10 2470
Meadow Lea 250 g 18130
Aqua 600ml cold 1750
Gelael supermarket opposite Animale FactoryOutlet has lots of jams, Vegemite etc