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Wednesday 17 December 2008

Bali Shoping Area

On your vacation in Bali, shopping probably a thing that you're not to be missed. On most department stores in Bali, prices are tagged and fixed. Major credit cards are accepted.

However, in smaller shops, bargaining is required and pay in cash is common. Below is the list of shopping areas in Bali.



Bali Shopping Areas

Bedugul
In the cooler mountain region, Bedugul is renowned as a farming area. The local market sells fresh fruits and vegetables and specialized in orchids and other plants.

Tucked into the long-settled of an old volcanic crater and on the edge of a large serene volcanic lake, this cool, slow-paced village is a world away from the hustle bustle and the heat and humidity.

Travelers will often pass through Bedugul on their way to the northern coast when they sometimes drive to the coastal beach town of Singaraja and Lovina.

Beside shopping, some visitors also choose Bedugul for a bit more adventure and go parasailing, water-skiing on the lake and golfing.




Batubulan
Batubulan is renowned for stone carvings. Traditionally, stone sculptures carved from soft volcanic rock called paras were used to adorn temples and palaces but recently they are sold for export as well.

The craftsmen can make practically anything you request from a Garuda to a garden gnome. Recently, many antique shops have sprung up on the same road, selling items from all over the Indonesia. Discerning buyers may well find a bargain.




Bona
Bona is a village known for bamboo growing and goods produced from bamboo such as furniture and mats.

The villagers also produce goods made of lontar leaves.




Celuk
Continuing on the road to Ubud, you will pass through Celuk, home of silver and gold artisans. Huge stores house a wide variety of all types of intricately designed pieces.

The silver filigree work is quite amazing. Bargaining is a must. If you can go off the main road into the village where the craftsmen work and live you will get better prices.




Duty Free Shopping
Plaza Bali and DFS have duty free shopping outlets in Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua and the airport in Bali.

They have a wide range of designer label boutiques. Bare in mind some products in Indonesia don't have a high duty, such as cigarettes.




Denpasar
The capital of Bali is not generally a tourist area but there are a few main areas worth to checking out. The Kumbasari market near the river gives an interesting overview of an Indonesia market with household wares and clothing on the third level, spices and dried goods on the second level and traditional market in the basement.

It can be a bit dark in the basement so watch your step. Nearby is Jalan Hasanuddin, a whole street of gold shops, selling 18-22 carat gold jewelry. Not far away from jalan Hasanuddin is jalan Sulawesi where all manner of fabrics are available.

The whole street consists of fabric stores on both sides with a few household ware stores in between. If you're looking for handicrafts, there are quite a few shops in jalan Gajah Mada selling similar items to those seen in Kuta, but without the hawkers.

It's a good idea to check the government run handicraft center in Tohpati (Sanggraha Kriya Asti) which has a range of handicrafts at fixed price and will help you a measure as to what's available for a certain price.

Denpasar has a large selection of department stores. Try Matahari, Tiara Dewata, Tragia, Ramayana or Rimo. Supermarkets are located within the areas of most of these department stores.




Kuta/Legian/Seminyak
The main road in Kuta has a multitude of shops and restaurants on each side selling a wide variety of goods including swimwear, sarongs, handicrafts, cassette's, CDs, jewelry, clothing, furniture and leather goods.

You'll also get hit for watches, transport and bracelets from the ever-present street hawkers.

If you're not interested in their wares, don't make eye contact. If you look at the goods, they will follow you for the next kilometer or so, even if you insist you're not buying.

The upper end of jalan Legian from Seminyak to Kerobokan has turned somewhat into an enclave of boutiques specializing in men's and ladies clothing, interior, furniture and some interesting deli's and warungs.

There're not many hawkers up this end of the street which makes for a nice change.




Klungkung
Bali' s smallest district, Klungkung has a busy traditional market and it is also home to some of the oldest antique stores in Bali.

A magnificent example of Klungkung architecture, it is surrounded by a moat and is decorated with paintings on its ceilings in the best tradition of the Klungkung style.

In Klungkung you can find krises, songket sarongs and some quality 22-carat gold pieces in Balinese designs.




Kamasan
Kamasan village is a few kilometers outside Klungkung. Home of traditional Balinese "Kamasan" painting where a line drawing is made in black ink by a master artist and colored in with natural pigments.

Eggs, banners, paintings, bags, hats and many other goods decorated with Kamasan painting are all available here. The "Kerta Gosa" (Hall of Justice) at Klungkung features some impressive displays of Kamasan style paintings.




Mas
Further along the road towards Ubud is the village of Mas. Famous for woodcarving, Mas offer a myriad of wooden items.

The road through it is solidly lined with craft shops and you are welcome to drop in and see the carvers at work.




Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua has a small market at the entranceway to Nusa Dua where you can still find some bargains. If you venture out of the gates there's also the Tragia Supermarket and Department stores and some leather shops and tailors close by.

The main shopping complex, the Galleria with a variety of restaurants and stores.

The stores have mostly fixed price selling high quality items. The Kris Gallery is worth checking for some unique items. All the hotels have shopping areas with nice products and nice prices to match.




Sanur
Sanur's main shopping street is Jalan Danau Tamblingan and it is somewhat more peaceful then shopping in Kuta. There are still a few hawkers but they're not as aggressive, except at the beach market.

Sanur has an interesting variety of shops with lots of nice restaurants dotted between. There're also an Art Market with woodcarvings and other handicrafts.




Sukawati
Sukawati has a new art market and a traditional market on the main road and side streets. Set in a two-floor building, the market sells everything from statues to dance costumes, all at reasonable prices.

A large assortment of woven baskets can be found here along with Balinese ceremonial items made from colorful "Prada" - gold painted cloth. These include dance costumes, fans, umbrellas and clothes worn at tooth filings and weddings.

Sukawati village is also a center for the manufacturing of the wind chimes you will find all over the island.




Tegalalang
Home of woodcarvers, this village and nearby villages specialize in the carving of soft wood figures.

Brightly painted flowers, frogs, fruits and animal figures feature heavily.




The Bypass
Proceeding the main road or the by pass from Nusa Dua to Sanur you'll see on either side of the road, many pottery, wrought iron and furniture stores.

You can find some good pieces if you look carefully and bargain hard.




Ubud
After Mas area, you will enter the area of Ubud, often regarded as the cultural center of Bali. It is where the image of Bali as a land of artists was created.

Ubud gives you the opportunity to see the real Bali. The market has kept much of its traditional charm, with squatting Balinese sellers haggling loudly among spices and vegetables.

The Market also sells handicrafts, many made in the neighboring villages of Pengosekan, Tegalalang, Payangan and Peliatan.

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