Bali is
full of temptation for shoppers or even for those who rarely shop for gifts or
souvenirs. The trick in Bali, you just have to know where to shop with the
perfect price. Mostly around Legian, some around Kuta or Seminyak, you could
see endless shops that offers variety of typical Balinese souvenirs, gifts, or
crafts. But because of the locations are tourists areas, the prices are somehow
being adjusted according to the tourists’ own currencies.
Sukawati
Art Market, Gianyar, is a perfect place for those who just love to shop around
or even for those who just want to see what typical Balinese souvenirs, gifts,
or crafts look like. If you could haggle and know the average price, it would
save you a lot of money and a lot more things than what you buy at around
Legian, Kuta, or Seminyak. The trick is, dare to cut down the offered price by
90%. They would probably pout or mumbling in front of you but Sukawati Art
Market is well known as the wholesale heaven for most Balinese areas so it
should be that cheap; especially if you buy in bulk. The haggle starts there
and it is okay.
The
sight of Sukawati Art Market could be overwhelming at first. Endless
motorcycles would be a typical view. Hundreds of shops would be on your left
and right. Be patient and take time to take a look around before settling on
one shop. There are a lot of choices the more you take time to look. From
Balinese clothes ( that is quite famous for the soft fabric ), keychains,
magnets, statues, leather bags, etc are endless.
But
Sukawati Art Market is desperately in need of good organization and good make
over with better facilities. The front appearance is too chaotic and seems too
dirty. One shop owner said that Sukawati has slowed down the last few years.
Foreigners seem to prefer Legian even though they know it is more expensive.
Even taxis do not go around there anymore because they know that tourists do
not go to Sukawati anymore. And of course the competitions made it worse. It’s
a shame really. With the price range, same qualities, and same products that
Sukawati Art Market has, it is now basically only left with the image of good
old days and starting to be forgotten. Mostly only local tourists, shop owners,
or wholesale buyers would go there these day.
If Sukawati Art Market plan to survive many many
years to come, someone has to do something about it. Get rid of the huge
dumpster in front of the market. Make more space for parking. Stop making
public toilets to be a thriving business but with extremely poor hygiene. Make
sure the pathway for people to walk and to get to the shops free from things
being sold. Good and comfortable access would make tourists and buyers willing
to go from front to end of the market; hence, more transactions for the shop
owners. Make sure that visitors could go somewhere to eat. Good organization of
certain spots for food stalls would be good considering that visitors do have
to eat ( although street food are available ).
But if
you don’t mind with the challenges that Sukawati Art Market has to offer, do
drop by and browse around. It’s easy on the pockets. Just make sure you have
the transport to and from the place.
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