In Reply to: Ubud Markets?? posted by bbaallii on Thursday, 23. November 2006 at 12:37 Bali Time:
It's a big market & sellers of similar things tend to be grouped together, so the pushiness I think depends on the demand for the particular item/s they sell. EG, last year we wanted several large pieces of fabric (the ones the Balinese call blankets) and it was a dog fight - unpleasant. But no problems at all at the clothing & silver shops that time - big hassles for clothing 6 months later - it all depends. But there are things there you can't get in Kuta & environs & the prices are generally better.
Many people here have stopped at the Sukawati (hope I have that right) markets on the way to Ubud & raved about them, say that they're better than on the coast and Ubud.
Ubud does definitely deserve 2 days at least - be sure to visit the Neka Art Gallery - just great. Lots of work has been done there & many new works. There are some fantastic restaurants in Ubud, great diferent clothes & other shops, wonderful scenery - all in all, Ubud is delightful - and the only hassling is from drivers.