In Reply to: Bali Gongs posted by jane_n on Tuesday, 18. October 2011 at 04:20 Bali Time:
I agree with Pedro's advice
We were having trouble finding a gong foundry in Blahbahtuh, when a local spotted us, and offered to show us where it was.
He insisted on showing us into the foundry.
Very friendly we thought, except the price of 2.5 million put us off,
so we declined .
The local left, looking very disappointed, like us, but as we were leaving, the foundry lady signalled to us, and offered it for 800k.
It appears the friendly locals do quite a business guiding people to the foundries, and demanding a large commission from them.
The lady appeared quite bitter about the local "guides"
I wonder why they don't just put a sign on the road, so we could find them, without the touts.
Another interesting village is Tihingan, just west of Klungkung, supposedly the best makers in Bali.
It's very small, but interesting to see them makings the gongs.