I would like to thank everyone for their very helpful information posted on this site. I have read the reports for a long time but this is my first so here goes.
I have taken small shopping groups to Bali over the past few years and find the reccommendations on this site invaluable.
We flew AP from Brisbane and were quite impressed with the service -definitely would use them again.They were very good with excess baggage and did not charge however they did weigh our cabin bags and any over 7 kg had to be checked in.....no worries ,wasn't going to argue that after not being charged excess.
Would like to thank the girls for the pearl contact mentioned many times on the forum - Ali is fantastic(his mobile is 08124620596). He came to our hotel and the 6 of us "shopped" in aircon comfort and nothing was too much trouble , he made lots of special orders and prices were excellent.Likewise I have a friend that I have bought silver from many times over the years -Wendy (ph 081338557807)and she and her husband Ketut have now expanded their business and will come to your hotel -it sure beats haggling in the hot markets and she has a great selection of silver and dollar coin jewellery at excellent prices.The coin bracelet I had made 2 yrs ago has never tarnished as so often happens with the ones you buy on the street.
We stayed at the MBR and as always the staff are wonderful-the new restaurant area is lovely I still enjoy breaky beside the beach.The spa has now expanded and is about double in size, the whole time we were there it was very busy and bookings are a must. It really is a lovely modern spa now but a little difficult to get the same girl each treatment so I felt it had lost a little of that personal touch - still a great way to spend a few hours and the prices haven't changed.
Someone was asking about buying fabric in Denpasar at Duta Silk /Alta Moda - sorry i can't find your posting now but I discovered that Alta Moda is now located in the Kuta Galleria at the front and the new store has only been open for 10 days , you will see the display from the road . A friend was looking for that "special" dress for her son's wedding and to our amazement this store now has 3 floors of the most incredible fabrics starting from $5 per meter Aus for stretch cotton fabric to $1000 p/m for Christian Dior laces. It is worth it just to look at the store as it is truely amazing - complete with glass-door internal lifts to each floor /chandeliers and incredible service.Jimmy knows his trade well and is happy to spend time with his customers.Kuta Galleria is just on the outskirts of Kuta and much handier than driving into Denpasar to Duta silk which we also did on this trip but I don't think I would bother in future. Also Jimmy will also give discount on all his fabrics.He offers the best coffee in Bali and my ladies were extremely happy with their purchases here.
We used my favourite Brisbane Tailor and as always the clothes were beautifully made ,finished and fitted well.
The only hiccup in the whole 10 days was when my girlfriend was hit by a motorbike in Garlic Lane ...2 hours after we had arrived!!! Definitely not a good way to start the trip. Thanks to Kerry and Milton from Indo National we soon had her at BIMC and I cannot fault their treatment - they were very thorough and the doctors had good english. Luckily she was not badly hurt but needed crutches for 4 days and took things slowly. Unfortunately we don't know what happened to the bike rider and his small passenger as he took off very quickly.
Missing Bali already and can't wait till December when I will be back again. Hope this was helpful.