Sandstone Carving

For traditonal sand-stone carving, stop at the workshops in Batubulan, and Wayan Cemul, an Ubud stone carver with an international following, has a house full of his wierd and wonderful creations. Come and see the village, eventhough just for strolling around and taking photographs. Tourists, as rule, are always welcome. If you are lucky, visit to one place might enable you to see an example of Balinese house compound of ordinary villagers or Brahmain one or, who knows, perhaps a house of local royalty.

The Textiles

The spiraling designs and gometric patterns of Javanese "batik" are seen everywhere on the island as part of daily dress of the Balinese. Buffaloes, birds, masks and poppet figures are some of the motives entwined in caracteristic compositions. For "batik" clothing, try the many boutiques in Kuta Beach. Brocades that gleam like gold lame, and also the simpler, handloomed sarong cloths, are sold in every village. Gianyar is the home of handloom industry, but the village of Blayu, sidemen, Batuan, Gelgel, Tenganan and Ubud all produce their own style of weavings.

All can be bought now in score of fabric and cothing boutiques found in Kuta. Bali now has one of biggest garment industries in South-east Asia. There perhaps 500 designers and exporters working in Kuta and Legian alone. Textiles from other islands, such as Sumbanese inggi and Batak ulos may also be bought in many shops in Kuta and Denpasar.

Inventive Balinese jewelers smelt, cast, forge and spin delicate flowers offering bowls and images of demons studded with semi precious stones. The center for metal workings are Celuk and Kamasan, where all such ornaments are on sale at reasonable prices. These craftsmen will also of course produce pieces and setting to order, just bring them a drawing or a sample of copy. If you don't like it, they smelt it down and start over.