In Reply to: Help Help - Newbie posted by jessmont on Saturday, 15. January 2005 at 16:40 Bali Time:
Mandira seems lovely, never stayed there but go there at sunset for a drink.
Try tommys leather on Jln Padma for the boots.
I use Victory tailor in Jln Padma Utara for clothes.
We used 514 tailor for our bedding on Jln Padma Utara ask for Erik. He is most helpful and can manage just about anything you request.
Go to Denpasar Material Market for your sisters fabric if Erik can't help. Make sure you barter hard with Erik he is good at it.
Art is alway best found in Ubud, I think.
Pick up a free copy of the Bali Advertiser for information and locations of home furnishings.
We went to Jenggala Ceramics but all items are in US$ fixed prices. Matahari Department store in Kuta Square in good for tourist and local shopping. I didn't find much in Denpasar this time. Don't be worried about spending a day in Denpasar at the dept stores by yourself. Catch a Bluebird taksi, they use metors and the price is fair. Start at Libbys, then Ramayana, then Tiara Dwata and then Matahari Dept stores. this is the logical sequence for travel.
We always do our first grocery shop at Matahari supermarket. ther are two in similar proximity to Mandira, Kuta Square and Kuta Galleria, both have good stocks of items required by tourists. Then on Jln Padma Utara and a little but more expensive is Loji Supermarket. Very convenient.
There are plenty of spas around just depends on whether you want the western experience or the local experience. I do a bit of both. You will probably find a western spa at the Mandira but for the local experience try Widia Linda located on Jln Padma at the back of the Sunset Book shop arcade. the girls there are lovely and you will get a real good 1 hr massage for Rp50000. They do Manicure and Pedicure for Rp30000 each. We spent many hours in there talkiing laughing and enjoying their company as well as their services. My husband loved joining in and often shouted the staff coffee when the coffee man come around.
Plenty of internet cafe around. It will depend on your server as to how quickly you connect. We have no trouble with Yahoo and Hotmail but we have other email acounts that we just cant access.
We often eat cheap at Warung Jogya on Jln Padma Utara, next door to Garden View Cottages. this is the real indonesian thing and is clean. We have met the lady who put up the money for the restaurant and she often calls in to check that they are running a clean and healthy establishment. Try these, Posers cafe/pub on the cnr of Jln Padma and Jln Padma Utara, three Brothers on Jln Padma Utara, Papas Cafe Jln pantai Kuta, Expensive but good atmosphere and food. Indo National Jln Sahadewa 13d Legian, Ozzie owners. When you get tired of the same foods or even if you don't you must try this place, Tommys Cafe (owned by Tommys Leather) From Mandira it is a bit of a walk or a Rp4000 taksi ride but well worth it. Breakfast served all day and only open for breakfst and Lunch 730am until 5pm. All foods are washed in bottled water and prepared as you order. Weetbix, baked beans on brown bread toast, croissants, muffins, muesli and yoghurt, salad bagettes and so much more. they don't charge tax and it is really worth the trip.
We liked the food at Poco Loco but beware, check your bill carefully, we had to return for a Rp66000 refund. Charging us for corona beer instead of Bintang etc. Try Bali bakery for meat pies and pastries when you have the craving, the pies are only served warm unless you request otherwise.
Enjoy your trip