Day 3, today we go to the MBR where the 'Family' are staying, Son, Daughter-in law and Granddaughter, the In-laws and their other friends that have come over for his 30th Birthday Party, and then we are all off to do some 'real' shopping.
I must say that while the MBR is nice and just what they wanted, and where they wanted, but it is not for us!
I suppose it's more about reaching that point in your life when the peace and quite, and the relaxed comfort of Sanur is far more appealing to us than the hustle, bustle and noise of Kuta, but each to their own, the beauty of Bali is that on such a relatively small island, one has such a diverse choice of holiday styles.
First we visit Geneva, this place is quite a revelation, none of us, including those who have been coming to Bali for many years, have ever been here before, fixed 'wholesale' price, and you would need to be a good haggler to get it cheaper in the stalls, but it only has what I would describe, for want of a better term, as 'arts and craft' stuff.
To give you an idea, Mrs C picked up some, I think they are silk, table runners, made in India of all places, absolutely gorgeous, about 1 meter wide, by about 2 meters long, more like table cloths but not for eating off, would fit most 6 - 8 seat dining tables, at about 50K Rp each.
Woven / wood based drinks trays with some mother of pearl inlay for 22K Rp, with a set of 10 matching coasters for 9K Rp, anyway just look up their webpage for all the stuff that's available, then imagine it stacked on pallet rack sized shelves reaching to the rafters and that's Geneva.
Next we head to Ramayana Department Store, and on the way get stopped at a 'Licence Check', not a big deal our driver makes a 'donation' to the Police Benevolent Fund and we're on our way, I marvel at the dexterity of the officer, who's 'donation disappearing act' would rival any top class prestidigitator. {;o)
Ramayana is certainly a contrast to Geneva, and they were having a 'Sale', like most of the 'Fixed Price' places in Bali, I found that even if they don't have a sign up advertising a 'Sale', if you ask most will offer a discount, I was getting up to 20% off at Hardys in Sanur during the week.
A note of caution for those taking US$ to Bali, I thought that there was only a problem with the US $100 Notes, 1996, however I was standing behind a Japanese lady at the PT Central Money Changing Kiosk in Ramayana, and the cashier rejected about half of what looked to me like brand new US $50 Notes, the Japanese lady was getting most upset, don't know what the problem is there?
Anyway back to the Sale, I saw up to 30% off very low prices, you would have to struggle to get better prices at the stalls, big selection, big sizes, lots of choices, no hassles and the quality looked much better, some 'brand' joggers were 50% off, I suspect the second most purchased item in Bali, after Bintang, is an additional suitcase. LOL
Then on to Makro, where I must admit to being less than enthusiastic than I was at our last visit, especially given I found the prices about the same as at Hardys, however we still purchased a couple of years supply of Oral B Toothbrushes and Head & Shoulders Shampoo! {;o)
The biggest hassle is getting out, they don't seem to understand the concept of the '10 Items or less' lane at the checkouts, the day we were there every Warung in Bali was there buying up a months worth of supplies!
Another note of caution, I didn't know, because we didn't need to worry before, but your not allowed to take your small children into Makro, they will not be allowed in under a certain hight (I expect it's easier to quote hight, rather than age), and unlike you bags, you can't check them in!
Anyway back to the MBR where the boys were left to look after the Kids while the Girls were taken for a lesson in bargaining, this, by a bloke that is passionate about this sort of thing, and treats it as a sport, I will not reveal the places and or prices that he achieved, as if everyone was to get these prices then the Bali economy would go down the gurgler! {;o)
Needless to say they arrived back with all sorts of stuff, and that when I tried to replicate the prices for a YSL Bag at the stalls in Sanur, they said I was a crazy man!
Anyway it was good fun, but a long day, so it's back to the Griya and a swim before dinner at the Retro, still one of our most favourite Sanur Restaurants.
To be continued, regards BJC.