In Reply to: Bali 1st timer posted by piglet on Sunday, 12. November 2006 at 11:10 Bali Time:
is a very honest money changer who we always use. When you come out of the front of Jayakarta you will see an intersection pretty much in front of you and one shop from the corner is a Kodak shop and money changer. He will always count out in big bills which is much easier for newcomers to Bali to check. Afterwards if you give him back Rp.100,000 he will give you small change for it. It is always hard to have enough small money in Bali!
If you go out of the beach entrance to your hotel and turn right you will come to several restaurants on the beach. Take your pick, all good.
If you want to buy a watch you could ask for Harry roughly at the back of Kumala Pantai Hotel (next door pretty much to Jayakarta near the restaurants I just mentioned) He is a lovely gentle, no pressure kind of guy to do business with. His friend Basri sells pearls in the same area and what I find very special about him is that knowing I had never bought pearls and knew nothing about them he gave me a price that I later found out was a very good price. Now that doesn't often happen!!!!!!!! They both know us (Brian & Hillary) and have always given anyone we sent to them good prices and courtesy.
By your attitude I am sure you will just have a marvelous time.