Ubud Shopping, BALI
Airing Date: Jul 11th, 2005
In the hills north of Denpasar is Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali. The modern Balinese art movement started here when artists moved from the religious and court scenes to scenes of everyday life. Ubud is the home of many respected local and western artists. A visit to Ubud gives you the opportunity to see the real Bali, to stroll leisurely through rice paddies, lush forests, deep gorges and deserted swimming holes, all within walking distance from the centre of Ubud.
Janet de Neefe is originally from Melbourne but has been living in Bali for almost 20 years. During that time she has studied the Balinese way of cooking and decoration. Janet runs two restaurants with her husband, Ketut, her husband's gallery in Mas, the Honeymoon Guesthouse in Ubud, her cooking school, yoga studio and of course, a household. She has also just started her own line of homewares, Casa Luna. Casa Luna Homewares & Emporium supports local Balinese craftsmen and women, and also features art and craft produced in other islands of Indonesia.
Mas village is Bali's wood carving centre. Its artists create refined Balinese sculptures depicting Hindu-epic Ramayana characters, ordinary people and various animals. Mas is also unrivalled in carving the colourful Balinese wood masks worn by classical dancers. The Pantheon Gallery in Mas offers a wide range of fine quality woodcarvings, both traditional and modern in style.
The Ubud markets is a must and has kept much of its traditional charm. There are many respected galleries such as Neka, Agung Rai and Rudana, which are well worth a visit. The Seniwati Art Gallery features work by women artists only. There are countless smaller galleries up and down the main road with varied styles of paintings, handicraft, antiques, jewellery, homewares and clothing.
If you are after some regular furniture at bargain prices then visit Bali Gong Antik warehouse. The warehouse will ship the furniture you purchase home for you and you pay by the cubic metre. One metre is around 280 Australian dollars and the price decreases by the cubic metre the more you buy!
After a hard day shopping, visit Kenko's spa shop for a half hour reflexology session. The session is said to leave you feeling energized.
Further Information
Australian Airlines fly to Denpasar in Bali from $769 ex Perth, $904 ex Melbourne, $919 ex Sydney, $976 ex Adelaide, $986 ex Brisbane Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes. Conditions apply.
Australian Airlines - telephone 13 13 13.
Rooms start from $46 a night which includes breakfast. Minimum 2 nights
Honeymoon Guesthouse - telephone 0011 62 361 973 282.
Prices correct at 16/06/05
