Just back after 2 weeks in heaven.
WELL WORTH A VISIT: (1) Kumbasari and Badung Markets in Den Pasar. 4 floors of shops selling all the stuff you can get in Kuta but without the hard-sell. Be prepared to bargain but keep it light-hearted. Especially liked the instant antique bronzes available there. Go there early in your stay in Bali. (2) Sukawati Art Market - good stuff - good prices. (3) Klungkung for Taman Giri and the Museum Daerah Semarapura. (4) Celuk if you want some gold or silver jewellery. (5) Sari Amerta Batik in Jl Raya Batubulan, Gianjar had a good range of of batik and silk batik paintings at reasonable prices.
TIPS: (1) Don't try to barter for a payung (umbrella)when the rain is bucketing down - they become fixed price at 3 times the normal price (SMILE!!) - Just pay up!!!. (2) Don't go to the money changers with noticeably higher exchange rates. Invariably they are shonkey. Went to one and experienced - insufficient notes to be able to give exact exchange - the "palmed banknote" trick - the "dropped in lap banknote" trick. Always recount and don't let 'em touch the money again. After catching my guy out on both tricks, I was told to take my money and change it somewhere else.
LOVED: Jayakarta Resort - an older style resort but with beautiful grounds and gardens. The facilities were more than acceptable. You can get great prices on privately owned appartments in the "Residence" - Google is your friend.
DOWNER: After 44 years of marriage I found going to Bali by myself a bit daunting --- should have tapped into the forum before I went to see what "60 somethings" do in Bali after dark. Maybe next time!!!
PAINTINGS: Took several A4 sized colour prints of paintings I wanted copied while in Bali. Went to several art studios mentioned in the forum but got exactly what I wanted at DJ Art Studio in Jl. Patih Jelantik 30, Legian/Kuta. Dedet talked to me about the teknik (Brush Technique) he should use to copy the paintings. His work exceeded my wildest expectations - beautifully layered acrylic with excellent colour match. Two paintings 150x100cm Rp 1.2 million ($A 120). Had another one done elsewhere but it ended up being done in the typically "flat" Bali style of painting.
DON'T FORGET: Jl Arjuna Double Six at Legian for sarongs (Rp 45,000) and Sobo, a store in Jl. Padma Utara just down from Jl Double Six that sells quality batik sarongs (Rp 120,000 upwards) - real good stuff.