Seeing as my Double 6 Shopping walk proved popular, I thought I would make mention of my favourite shops in this street, also known as Jalan Pura Bagus Taruna or Jl Werkedura.
I am sure that others will have their favourites too, and will contribute further. It is too long a street to check out EVERY shop, but I think over the years, I have done a passable job of it!
Strolling on from Double 6 Rd, through the back road behind the Kumala Pantai Hotel, I usually make a stop at EKA'S COLLECTION(shop no 534 Ph 0361 763549), to view any new jewellery that Mary has in stock. She makes rather nice shell/freshwater pearl necklaces and matching bracelets for around 85,000Rp a set(in 2008), but they may be a little more now. She will also make to order.
BRIELLA SPA is a convenient place to stop at after 6 hours or so of walking and have a leg "revitaliser" - a foot massage here costs 65,000Rp for an hour, and they also offer body massages, facials, hair treatments and other packages - none of which I've had. Comments from others please? Open 7 days a week from 9am-11pm - Ph 0361 798660.
Turning the corner into Rum Jungle Rd (almost opposite the Jayakarta Hotel), there are several shops on the left which have dresses, bags & other typical Bali wear. I have over the years bought the odd bag or wallet or dress here, and unless you know the usual price, it can be a bit of a battle to get a good bargain. One of the shops is: RISKY SHOP - paid 160,000Rp for a brown/black fabric LV handbag, which has been admired by a few people.
My next stop is usually at SOLOMON SILVER 2,(Ph 0361 765052) a fixed price silver jewellery shop, which has a good selection of earrings and pendants.
Almost next door is YUTZ RESTAURANT,a great little restaurant offering a European/Indonesian cuisine, with many speciality dishes such as a large variety of sausages, schnitzels, butterfish or mahi mahi steaks and 2 of the biggest and best salads I have found in Bali. We eat here regularly for dinner, and enjoy the complimentary Yutz frozen margharita and garlic bread on arrival, and often a complimentary coffee at the end. Besides the "Exclusive Salad", a couple of my favourite dishes are the battered mushrooms, the side dish of potato & onions, and their curry with fruits is delicious also. As this is a popular restaurant, it is best to make a booking for dinner Ph081 239 51454, and ask for a table away from the street, and under a fan on a hot night.
Close by is the FLYING PIANO, another favourite of many forumites, although I have only ever stopped here for hot chips, a cold Bintang, maybe some spring rolls, but the menu appears similar to what's on offer at Yutz. Futher down, NINE is another restaurant that I've only had a beer in.
Across the road, there is the Thai restaurant called SWASADEESKHA(spelling?), where you can dine under thatched roof bales, and enjoy the small strems and sound of water. I enjoyed a green curry here, served in a coconut, and various other dishes. It's magical at night with the fairy lights, but do take some mozzie repellant with you - just in case.
The next places I usually like to check out are: THE FAMILY SHOP,(PH 0361 763053), which offers shell and silver jewellery plus other handicrafts & accessories: SUMMER SHOP (No 519 Ph 0361 767 648), with similar products:FATIMA SHOP (Ph 0361 765044), which is where I bought some of the leather "Flower" bracelets that seem to be in vogue at present(paid 12,000Rp each), and also sells other Bali-style jewellery: & the Number 2 JOHNNY SHOP(No 472 Ph 0361 755219)with the same type of goods, is in this area as well.
There are 2 Authorized Money Changers in this street, with one being the PERMATA BANK, and the other one is in an airconditioned glass front shop on the LH side as you head towards Jl Legian. Someone may know the name of it? It appears to be run by Indians. The Bank is my second option, as sometimes the queues are very long, and you have to take a number and wait awhile.
On the other side of the road is TOMMYS CAFE, owned by the same man from Tommys Bags, and the food is always reliable, cheap and tasty here.
Also on this Right Hand side of the street is a leather shop called HERO, where one can see the workers at their sewing machines in teh front of the building. Although I didn't order anything, I was quite impressed by some of their products on display, and may try them next time. The shop number is 53, and Ph 0361 751064. Perhaps another forumite can offer recommendations on their work?
On the blind corner on the same side, is a shop called CEMARA Shop (No 517 Ph 0361 752058), which stocks clothing, and some items which are slightly different to those I have seen elsewhere. I bought my daughter some lovely bias cut, diagonal panelled, embroidered & sequinned skirts here a couple of years back, and she still wears them today. From memory, they were a very reasonable 60 or 65,000Rp each.
Back to the LH side - another street where one frequently walks from one side to the other - and I always like to check out the several UMMA KABELI Shops. These have changed over the years, and where once they sold beaded bags and shoes, they now do a range of silver jewellery, all at half price (check out the lovely rings here for around 75,000Rp). UMMA KABELI SILVER Ph 0361 757871 Shop No 12.
Next to them is PADI PADI COLLECTION, (Shop No 20 Ph 0361 757871 also), which stocks a lovely range of leather/suede and material sandals. This appears to be fixed price, with sandal prices ranging from 90,000 - 180,000Rp, but when pressed for a discount, will give you about 10% off if you buy more than 1 item.
I never cease to be surprised with the street numbers in Bali, and this road is no exception, as even when the stores are next to each other, the numbers can be quite unexpected - as above.
Another good shop in this little pocket is called NIZAR (shop no 24 Ph 0361 7882703 - shop assistant Wayan very helpful), which stocks shoes, sandals and some other accessories. I bought some lovely sandals here, and also had a pair of "Cleopatra" style sandals copied in another colour. These sandals are about 8 years old, but I love the style and fit of them, and had first enquired at PUTU SHOP NO 2 on Jalan Pantai Kuta re having them copied. When they were unable to do so, and with only 4 days of holiday left, I asked at this shop, and they were duly made in the time frame (3 days). I requested a royal blue beaded colour with white shell button within a black beaded circle pattern as per the photo of the original, & these were completed with a suede inner sole lining, and the requested low mule-style soles, which is a better quality than the original ones bought from Rangga Rezekky shop on Jalan Legian all those years ago. The new version cost me 100,000Rp, and to be honest, I did not bargain when that price was offered to me first up, even although the Putu Shop had quoted 80-85,000Rp. To me, they are well worth it for the workmanship & the fact that they could make them so quickly, and I will have more made next trip in other colour ways.
The next shop I call into is R DIYA Shop (Shop No 22 Ph 0361 762044), where I bargain for some gorgeous shopping bags in various colours, which have 4 circles of contrasting colours embroidered on to the front. I paid 125,000Rp for 3 bags. They have many other styles and different sizes here, so definitely worth a look.
I have now almost completed my walk, but must call into VIDI Shop, which is very near to the junction with Jl Legian. (Ph 0361 7800610). Here you will find lots of lovely beaded, shell etc jewellery - earrings, necklaces adn bangles. Although there is no pricing on them, they sell them at a very low price, such as 7-9000Rp for earrings, and similarly low for other pieces.
Also on either side of VIDI, are a couple of other jewellery shops with similar items, but VIDI seem to be better priced, and in one of them, you still need to bargain for your goods.
Many of the shops here close in the early evening, but all our open 7 days a week. This is a one way street like Double 6, but motorcycles are able to go in both directions, so be careful when crossing the street.
Well, I am at the end of the street now, so it's time to catch a taxi back to the hotel. Please feel free to add some other "gems" for all us shopaholics.