Batik is the art of drawing on fabric with hot wax. We were taken to this place where you can watch the ladies in action. There's a huge hall stocked with batik clothing and home furnishings. You can also buy a plain t-shirt and give it to one of the ladies at the front with your choice of pattern that's displayed on a white cloth in front of her station. They will draw the pattern, every single detail of if from memory. Mine only took her around 5 minutes or so, I was quite mesmerised sitting there watching her do it. You will need to give them a small tip afterwards, I gave her 50,000 rupiah which is around $5 Australian dollars.
The Dewa Putu Toris art gallery showcases some of the largest art collections I've seen. Bali is also famous for their artists so people have flocked here to buy and collect artworks. If you are an art enthusiast then do make sure to stop here for a visit. The building itself is quite amazing too, it looks very narrow and small on the outside but it seemed to go on forever once you're inside. The gallery holds artworks of all kinds of styles and subjects, if you are interested in buying anything the gallery also can delivery to your hotel for you. They also let some artists work at the front area so the buyers can observe how they work.
If you like finding bargains then markets would definitely get you quite excited. Ubud market is one of the biggest markets in Bali, stalls here sell everything from clothes to souvenirs, paintings, jewellery and toys. But from what I've seen, most of the stalls sell pretty much the same things. Now, if you don't know how to bargain then do not come here because you WILL get ripped off. Always ask for 60% first, if they refuse then walk away, 99% of the time they will stop you and say something like "I don't make any money off of that price but for you I will do it" and then if they insist you go a bit higher then go for 50%. Either way, if you don't buy it at this stall, you will find it in another stall so you don't really have anything to lose. Oh yeah another thing, our tour guide took us to this silversmith in Celuk village, even though I asked for and got 60% off (apparently this was a first as the highest anyone has gotten out of them was 55% off, yay for me and my asianess! ) of our things we still got seriously ripped off. So I would suggest you buy your silver stuff at the markets.
Discovery Shopping Mall, Kuta
One of the biggest malls I've been to, inside is mostly international brands like Ralph Lauren Polo (they're everywhere in Bali), Crocs and a lot of surf and sunglasses stores. Right outside the mall is Kuta beach. I guess if you're looking for some surf wear then come here, although they're about the same price as you would expect to pay in Australia. There's also some really nice home ware stuff in here like cushion covers and carved wooden sculptures.
I think that covers everything, just remember to bring some medicine for stomach upsets because you will most likey get some kind of stomach problem during your stay. Otherwise, Bali was a wonderful place to visit, we really enjoyed our time here. No wonder so many aussies love coming here, till next time Bali, I'll miss ya!
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