Taxis Blue taxis are readily available and the meter is always turned on as a matter of course, with other taxis you need to ascertain before you get in if the meter is working and more importantly if is turned on, the other drivers seem to be learning (slowly)that a taxi is supposed to be metered and not bartered for but you still need to take care, the metered price will always be lower than anything they offer as a deal. A trip from Sanur to Kuta takes around 30 minutes and to Denpasar around 20 minutes.
Airport to Hotel If you have not arranged transfers from the airport as you leave the building turn left and there is a kiosk to book taxis from at set fares.
Bemos there are set fares, sometime difficult to ascertain, but ask around. Stop the driver when you want to get out and give him the right money - don't expect change. Green bemos only travel in the Sanur area and a Blue one will take you to Denpasar and you can jump out right outside Matahari, if you want Ramayana stay in the bemo until the next corner and you will have a short walk. In these hard times we always give extra. Remember the trick is just to stop the driver, get in and then tell him when you want to get out "STOPPA" will do the trick. When you stop them and ask a price you are hiring and anything goes
Money Changers There is a Kodak Express money changer in Sanur down near the supermarket and I recommend using it, the rates are good and there was never any suggestion of getting a wrong amount, they always had large denomination notes available. The local money changers exchange their foreign currency here so presuming they exchange at the same rate as us there are only two ways they can make a profit (a) charge a commission or (b) by deceit. Another reliable place is the post office which is almost opposite the Gazebo - remember if it sounds too good to be true it usually is,
Internet connections are available in many places and at some hotels usually at 500 rps per minute connections are at times slow. With the Balinese love of toys and gadgetry you will often find irritating pointers, difficult screen colours to read and slow machines.
Telephone There are several "Wartel" telephone facilities in Sanur and this is the best way to ring overseas. Go into a booth, all the codes and directions are displayed, ring you number and when connected an updating cost is displayed, when you leave the booth you will get a bill printed and costs are very reasonable especially compared to hotel prices.
Medical There is a 24 hour clinic situated in Sanur on the by pass just around the corner from McDonalds
Doctors are also available at The Hyatt and Grand Bali Beach hotels, a hotel visit is about double the price of seeing the doctor at their rooms
Dentist recommended by the Australian Consul is Retna 288501.
Prescription drugs can be purchased over the counter at the Apotiks as long as you know what you want, if you don't the chemist will show you the book with a description of what the drug is and what it does. Names are often different to what we are used to.
Shopping There are a variety of shops along the main street and a large Supermarket where you will be able to purchase most things you would get in your home supermarket, there are tailors and leather shops where leather goods can made to order but you really do need to shop around in Sanur as prices can be considerably higher than Kuta. My wife had a leather jacket "Wila" Danau Tamblingan Jl No 3 and it is excellent, good fit good quality There has been an increase in glassed in shops stocking some good quality goods, these are usually fixed price but you should still ask for a discount. Shoes can be made quickly at Little Italy Tamblingan Jl 19, this shop is tucked away at the side of the Bali Moon and easily missed. Free transport can be arranged by ringing (0361) 288486
Sindhu Beach Markets Are situated off the beach just on the Southern side of the Natour Hotel and is a group of market style shops. A committee runs the markets and arranges for improvements and upgrades with everyone paying as they can afford. They meet monthly in general the tell holders not to hassle tourists too much, breaking of this rule can result in the stall being shut down for a couple of days. No 28 - is "Tootsy's" is fixed price and you will find things at about the bottom price you could expect to barter down to elsewhere. Ketut is delighted to hear that you heard about her on the Internet. If nothing else you will get an idea what you should be paying for thing elsewhere. After shopping at Tootsy's call and have a chat with Sarina at Shop 19. (opposite) Sarina is a shirt and dress maker who will make anything from a picture or copy any garment you take in for her. All work is guaranteed if you don't like it you don't pay for it. Tailored slacks have cost me about 120,000 rps and an Italian wool blend blazer 400,000 rps If you wish you can take your own material and a garment to copy
Matahari Denpasar is a large department store in Denpasar where you will find most things at fixed price. More often than not many prices are marked down sometimes by up to 50% most items are of good quality but not always to western tastes
Ramayana Denpasar is situated on Jl Dipenegoro and a 10 minute walk from Matahari, it is similar to Matahari but probably a little cheaper. There is a good optical shop here where we had spectacles made at a saving of around $200 on Australian prices You will also find a Dunkin Donuts a Pizza Place. Time Zone, Internet. Ramayana was also the place for DVDs and CDRs but as a result of police raids they have closed down. However if you leave Ramayana and cross the road you will be quickly escorted to where they are all available
Robinson's similar to the others and situated on the opposite corner to Matahari, not a great deal of choice when we visited.
Rimo Jl Dipenegoro on the opposite to Ramayana is in a converted bank that went down in the big crash, marble floors and extravagant staircases don't seem to have helped it much and it seems to struggle, prices we thought were quite high. However as a result on complete floor has been converted to computer hardware, I found the prices only comparable to Australian prices.
Jl Dipenegro Denpasar is an interesting street to walk along with a myriad of shoe shops, electrical retailers, hardware, handbags. It is along here that you will be invariably be approached by the touts wanting to take you to where the CDRs and DVDs have disappeared to after the clean up last year. At No 84 I found Untari Dewi "Fuji Professional" shop what a large range of cameras, lens, flash cards etc but I'm not sure how prices compared. An email to fujipro@dps.centrin.net.id would get you all the answers you need. At the bottom of Jl Dipenegro is a monument in the road, turning left there takes you into Jl Hasanuda and the gold shops, known as Kampung Arab. On the opposite side is Sulawesi Street and wall to wall fabric shops before you reach the new markets. Re tracing your steps to Jl Hasanuda and crossing the road (a continuation) you will be short walk to Teiara Dewata yet another shopping centre and one used more by the locals, nothing special there except the food department is worth a look especially the fish and meat sections. Almost opposite the main entrance is Jl Udayana and that will lead you back where you started at Ramayana.
