Bali is a shopper's dreamland. The main tourist roads are lined
with stores, shops and stalls selling crafts of all types. Lists
of local specialties are found in the relevant practicalities
sections; below is a general picture of what to look for.
Bargaining
The first price is not the last price in Bali. You should attempt
to learn the art of bargaining while you're here. Unless you're
buying in a shop or hotel arcade (and often here too), it is
expected that you join in. Restaurant meals, items in supermarkets
or department stores, and room rates at the larger hotels are
generally fixed in price, but nearly everything else is fair
game.
First ask the price that the vendor expects and then counter
offer. Ask for the "best price" and keep smiling.
Your initial offer should be much lower than the price you really
want to pay. It is advisable not to seem too eager to buy. Keep
a sense of humor about the whole thing. There's no such thing
as a "right price." You usually pay more than the
locals, but that's the way it is.
Balinese Souvenir
For the widest selection of souvenirs, go to JI. Legian in Kuta/Legian,
Ubud, or the Sukawati Market on the way from Denpasar to Ubud.
Balinese Carving
Mas and Kemenuh are the main spots for polished wood carvings;
check with Tilem Gallery in Mas. Batuan is the place for wooden
panels. Pujung and Sebatu, to the north of Ubud, specialize
in painted carvings and giant statues. For masks, go to Mas,
Singapadu, and Batuan.
Traditional Balinese stone carvings made from volcanic pumice
(paras) are made in Batubulan.
Balinese Textiles
Bali is a weaver's dreamland. The ikat factories are centered
in Gianyar, but Klungkung and Singaraja are also known producers.
For the fancier songket with gold and silver threads woven into
the weft, go to Sideman, Blayu (between Mengwi and Marga), or
Singaraja. There are beautiful woven selendang (temple sashes)
in Batuan, Ubud, and Mengwi, but the exquisite geringsing cloth
is made only in Tenganan.
Woven textiles from Sumbawa, Sumba, and Sumatra can be found
in Kuta and Denpasar.
The batik worn by Balinese and found everywhere is made in Java.
When buying, be sure that you're getting real hand-drawn or
stamped batik, and not the manufactured "printing"
which employs traditional designs on machine processed fabric.
Balinese-made batik is lighter and brighter, much of it on cool
"crinkle cotton".
