Relax - Indonesia, shoppers' treasure trove

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Indonesia, shoppers' treasure trove

By Joy Fang, my paper | Thu, Oct 22 2009

Antiques, handicrafts and designer goods are up for grabs in bustling markets and malls.

Keywords

places of interest

MENTION shopping in Indonesia and batik garments or handicrafts come to mind immediately.

But with an influx of tourists every year, the shopping landscape of the country has evolved to become an eclectic mix, where the metropolitan and the traditional live harmoniously together.

Take Jakarta, for example. Streets selling antique knick- knacks or wooded handicrafts can be found alongside mega shopping and entertainment centres – a diversity which is appreciated by tourists and locals alike.

For freelance graphic designer and writer Zarani Risjad, whose parents are Indonesian but who was born in Singapore, her favourite haunt is the colourful Jalan Surabaya antiques market, where you can get your hands on all sorts of vintage goodies.

“You can find heaps of interesting old stuff, like old divers’ helmets, telescopes and records. It’s a unique and bustling place with forgotten treasures,” said the 26-year-old, who visits Indonesia every two months.

You can also get good-quality wooden furniture in Jakarta, where they are of better workmanship and are cheaper than those in Singapore, she added.

As for Ms Priyanti Budiono, 32, the best thing about shopping in Jakarta is the range of options.

Just look at wholesalers’ complex ITC Mangga Dua. Visitors flock to this shopping paradise for cheap clothes and electronics. (Psst... those looking for knock-offs of designer goods may find those there, too.)

For a more upscale shopping experience, Ms Budiono’s tip is to visit huge shopping centres such as Plaza Indonesia and Grand Indonesia.

They offer luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, while Entertainment X’nter (eX) 1 and eX 2 sell funky apparel catering to youths.

How about Bali?

Perhaps the spokesman for the Visit Indonesia Tourist Office says it best: “Virtually everybody comes to Bali to shop. It is a treasure trove of fine art and handicrafts, antique and semi-antique furniture, paintings, delicately carved jewellery, wood and stone carvings, masks, and woven and dyed fabrics.”

In Yogyakarta, batik schools and colleges which offer batik-painting courses for locals and foreigners dot the city.

It is no surprise, then, that batik is everywhere. Leather products such as wayang kulit (shadow puppets), bags and sandals are also a common sight.

There’s just one rule in shopping in Indonesia: Bargain, bargain, bargain. But do this only at non-airconditioned street stalls, markets or wholesalers.

In these places, you can bring prices down by more than 20 per cent, depending on one’s bargaining prowess, said Ms Budiono.

WHERE TO SHOP

JAKARTA

JALAN SURABAYA ANTIQUE MARKET
Stretching for 0.5km, this open-air market offers a piece of Indonesia’s past. Brassware, textiles, porcelain and handicrafts can be found at reasonable prices.

ITC MANGGA DUA
A shopping haven with a large range of electronic items, computers and clothing at bargain prices.

PLAZA INDONESIA
Fashion labels from Gucci and Versace to Zara are showcased over four floors of retail paradise.

GRAND INDONESIA
One of the largest upscale malls in South-east Asia, shopaholics will enjoy its mix of luxurious interiors and high-end retail brands.

BALI

UBUD
A hot spot for art collectors, you can buy exquisite items such as wood carvings, jewellery and paintings.

JALAN RAYA SEMINYAK
Check out designer boutiques Biasa for lightweight breathable clothing, Lily Jean for glamorous dresses and Paul Ropp for hand-woven cotton and silk products.

YOGYAKARTA

JALAN MALIOBORO
Check out Pasar Beringharjo, where you can find everything from spices to baskets and scented cushion covers.

KOTA GEDE
Famous for its silver shops and factories, tourists flock here to find silver jewellery, household utensils and accessories.
They can also learn how the products are made in specialised courses.

For more my paper stories, click here.