Shopping - shopped till we dropped this last trip. Did all the set price shops from the forum (except Sanur) Miss Debbies (which we usually go to) spread our shopping around this time but got a couple of things from her. Ketut's in Garlic lane - found this a great shop, lots to choose from, good prices and hassle free. Went back there a few times. Dian and Jeny in south Kuta (I think) opposite Green Garden. Really liked both of these - although Jeny did not have as much choice. She thought Dian prices "ridiculous" so she was a bit cheaper. Obviously a bit of competition between these two. It's just so easy shopping in these fixed price shops - I don't know why more of them don't do it.
Found some other good shops around Garlic Lane. Some nice boutiques in Seminyak. Found a nice shirt in Body and Soul, SEminyak. Centro and Mataharis good to browse through for a few souveniers for presents pretty cheap. Hairdresser at right side of Centro extremely cheap $5.00 for a wash, blow dry and straightening. Can't beat that on the last day to be presentable for the flight home.
Love shopping in Ubud. Some lovely small shops with great prices, Markets are a bit tough and you have to be on the ball with them. Bought some sandals for my daughter here as the guy said 1,000 as I walked past. I asked him several times if that was correct and he kept saying yes 1,000. When I picked out 2 pairs he then said 200,000 for the two. I said come on you said 1,000 and he replied 1,000 to try! I should have walked away but bargained and got them for 20,000 each and then walked on and another guy said 1,000 and I kept walking. I don't get tricked twice. Going upstairs at these markets is even tougher and the owners try to pull you in physically sometimes to their shop. I felt sorry for them though as they don't get the custom walking by upstairs.
The one thing I wanted to get and didn't was some nice handbags, was always in a hurry and hot and didn't want to get into bartaring with them. Would love to know a good reasonably fixed price shop for these if anyone knows for next time.
I got a couple of bags at bag corner in Ubud at the fixed price store but they don't have a huge range. Good shop for tshirts and jumpers for teenage guys though, wallets, belts etc. Bought a bit here for my boys.