Kuta is a great place to eat. New places open almost daily and competition is fierce. Most don't last for long. The ones which do have great food at unbeatable prices. Seafood and Western dishes are your best bets. Or try Mexican, Indian or Japanese. The more well-known places are mentioned below, plus some promising newcomers. Ask around for the latest "in" spots.

Mama's German Restaurant for homemade sausages, on JI. Legian, near the junction with JI. Tanjung Mekar. Made's Warung (see above) has a breakfast special that includes fresh fruit juice, eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit yogurt, and cappuccino, all for $2.75.

Tebu JI. Raya Seminyak (above K Mart) do a fantastic a la carte breakfast with a menu that includes asparagus omelettes and smoked salmon scrambled eggs. Nearby Moka has pastries and light lunches.

Mamma Lucia Ristorante, JI. Legian 39 has a special breakfast for $1.75 and American breakfast for $2.50. Both Poppies and Kopi Pot (mentioned above) also serve breakfast.

Bali Bakery JI. Raya Kuta 65 has an extensive selection of cakes and pastries and a full breakfast menu. A great place to while away a morning, reading the newspapers in AC comfort.

Coffee

Breakfast, afternoon or after-dinner coffee is a treat at Benny's Cafe, JI. Blue Ocean (end of JI. Arjuna), Phone 731305. Service is fast and friendly, food is superb. Pancakes, fruit shakes, ice cream, and a variety of brews: Columbian, Brazilian, Balinese, and Dutch. Try their coffee with arak palm liquor.

Cafe Tu Casa JI. Padma next to the Casa Padma Hotel, is a fine place to relax over a cup of coffee. Open air and looking out over the street, they also do a good grill and exceptional pizzas.

Desserts

Once again, Made's Warung takes the cake with the best desserts in Kuta. Exquisite strawberry pie, cheesecake and chocolate cakes, as well as rum raisin and carrot. TJ's (see "Mexican" below) comes in a close second with their "chocolate di ablo cake." Kopi Pot on JI. Legian has great lemon meringue pies and black forest gateau.

Indonesian

For a quick and cheap lunch, try Warung Murah, JI. Legian Kaja 85A, and Warung DJ's, on JI. Legian Taman 104X. Sample their tasty nasi campur, a combination plate of five side dishes with rice: all for 50 cents. For a sampling of typical Indonesian and Chinese dishes try the night market behind the Post Office in Kuta or at the bend in the road on JI. Basangkasa. Open only at night, this is great value for money-good nasi goreng for under $1 and fresh steamed crab for about $1.50.

Padang

Everyone's favorite Indonesian regional cuisine is from West Sumatra. For spicy nasi padang try Suryajaya, next to the police station. Ten different dishes will be served the minute you arrive, all of it fiery hot. You're charged only for what you eat. Also ACC Makanan Padang on JI. Kuta Raya, across from Gelael Supermarket.

Chinese

Golden Lotus at Bali Dynasty Hotel, JI. Kartika Plaza, has the best Cantonese food in Kuta. Lonny's on JI. Pantai Kuta, Gosha on JI. Melasti 7 and Puri Bali Indah on JI. Melasti offer first rate Chinese cuisine and seafood. But, everyone's favorite is Restaurant Mini, Jl. Legian 77, about 200 m north of Bemo Comer. Choose your own fresh lobsters, fish, and prawns to be grilled, steamed or stir-fried with vegetables. if you're allergic to MSG, tell them "no Aji-nomoto." Indah Sari, JI. Legian 140, offers the same service in more up-market surroundings with prices to match.

International

For a real treat try Kafe Warisan on JI. Raya Kerobokan, Dine al fresco under the stars in this glamorous setting among the rice paddies of Seminyak. The resident French chef prepares traditional dishes from his homeland with specials such as the foie gras drawing crowds from across the island. A lighter lunchtime menu includes great sandwiches and mouth-watering salads.

On JI. Petitenget The Living Room is a lovely restaurant in a quite magical setting, ideal for a romantic evening with a loved one. Candlelit tables are scattered in the large garden and cool music accompanies an eclectic fusion menu.

In the heart of Kuta on Poppies Lane 11 is Kori Restaurant and Bar, boasting both afantastic interior and garden setting. The large menu has a host of western favorites like bangers and mash and roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. Try the giant seafood kebab for two and some of their reasonably priced wine to wash it all down.

Italian

Italian dishes are now found in almost every restaurant. A favorite is La Lucciola on Kayu Aya Beach, JI. Laksmana. It's worth the drive and is a perfect spot for sunset cocktails. Beach loungers and service make it a great sun spot. Dinner reservations essential. The pool restaurant at Bali Padma Hotel and Fat Yogi's on Poppies Gang I have the best pizzas in town. PJ's at Four Seasons in Jimbaran has the best pizza on the island. Lotus Tavern on JI. Wana Segara, near the Holiday Inn Balihai, has homemade pasta, pizzas as well as fresh, charcoal-grilled seafood. La Teraz, J1. Legian Kaja 494, is a trendy rooftop eatery that visiting stars frequent. Zanzibar Beach Bar & Restaaurant, JI. Blue Ocean, at the end of JI. Arjuna, has pasta, salads, American and Continental fare.

Greek

Panterai Restaurant, bar and art gallery serves authentic Greek cuisine in very stylish surroundings. Try the excellent kebabs and seafood and wash down one of those sticky Greek desserts with the unique taste of a Greek coffee.

Mexican

Stylish TJ's, Gang Poppies I, Kuta, serves the best enchiladas and margaritas this side of the Pacific. The nachos and salsa are great with a cold beer or try a frozen strawberry margarita. Poco Loco, on A. Padma Utara, between J1. Padma and JI. Werkudara, has atmosphere, good margaritas and a roving dwarf pouring shots.

Indian

The Oberoi Bali serves the best Indian food, especially the chicken tika and the vegetarian food, for an upmarket price. The Gateway to India on JI. Dyana Pura serves a wide variety of Indian dishes for lunch and dinner. Try their famous Lassies. Warung Kopi, J1. Legian 427, serves good Indian fare with a buffet on Wednesdays.

Swiss

Swiss Restaurant, JI. Werkudara, i's a meeting place for European hoteliers. The honorary Swiss consulate is next door.

Japanese

Bali's most serious Japanese restaurant is the up market Yashi in LTI-Patra Jasa Bali, where chefs prepare a range of dishes from sushi to tempura. and Made's Warung also serves perfect sushi roll , yakitoi and sashimi. Ryoshi at JI. Raya Serninyak 17 and J1. Melasti 42A, is air-conditioned and is open until midnight with sushi, tempura, robata and soba. Hana Restaurant on J1. Raya Seminyak (opposite Made's Warung) serves top-quality Japanese food in cozy AC surroundings. The miso soup is legendary. Also check out the sophisticated Tenkai Japanese Restaurant at Hotel Padma Bali who run an excellent all-youcan-eat buffet on Tuesday nights.

Vegetarian

Aroma's Cafe on JI. Legian has been a haven for vegetarian food for years and continues to delight both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The menu is extensive, the portions generous and check the boards for the ever-changing daily specials. Great drinks and dessert. The laidback garden setting makes Aroma's one of the more pleasurable dining experiences in Kuta. Open all day.

Fast Food

For the hopelessly homesick, Kuta has a complement of American fast food outlets: Kentucky Fried Chicken and Swenson's Ice Cream are in the Gelael Supermarket on JI. Kuta Raya, near the gas station heading toward Denpasar. They also have restaurants in Kuta Square. McDonald's have restaurants on JI. Raya Seminyalk, A. Legian next to the Matahari Department Store, Kuta Square and in Kartika Plaza. Pizza Hut is also in Kartika Plaza. Most of these outlets will deliver but check first if this is okay with your hotel. Expect similar menus to those at home with some variations, such as spicy fried chicken, well worth a try.

Entertainments

Many restaurants and bars feature after dinner video or laser disc movies, including: Krakatoa, J1. Raya Seminyak 56; a favorite haunt of old Kuta hands, Rum Jungle, JI. Werkudara; very Oz, Bounty, JI. Legian; Norm's, A. Legian, features world sports; Taman Sari, Gang Poppies II; Topi Kopi, JI. Werkudara, has satellite TV specials.

Kuta Night Life

Bali's nightlife is legendary and these days there are two very different 'scenes', the young boisterous crowd that dominates the Kuta circuit and a cooler, slightly older crowd that frequents the nightspots in Legian and Seminyak.

In Kuta the Hard Rock Café on JI. Raya Pantai Kuta and the Macaroni Club on JI. Legian offer a good start to any evening out with their international menus, exexcellent cocktails and ideal vantage points for people-watching. For those who like it a bit camper, Hulu Café on JI. Legian has a funky and always busy bar with outrageous drag shows on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Peanuts, on Jl. Legian, has been a Bali institution for years and still attracts a busy crowd to its dance floor and enormous bar. For late night revelers, the Sari Club and nearby Paddy's, both on JI. Legian, offer loud dance music and a packed house until the wee hours.

The Legian and Seminyak crowd tend to start the ball rolling with sunset drinks on the beach at Zanzibar or the Soda Club, both at the bottom of JI. Double Six, followed by dinner and further drinks at Café Luna or the Jaya Pub, all on JI. Raya Seminyak. Much of the Legian action happens in and around JI. Dyana Pura. Here the A Bar has an extensive cocktail menu and is hugely popular with the local expat crowd. Further down the street, the Q Bar and Café Del Mar offer more of the same; great drinks, good company and pumping music.

As the night wears on, the Kuta and Legian scenes both converge on the island's most famous nightspot, Double Six Disco. Right on the beach, this perennial favorite with both foreigners and locals offers open-air revelry until dawn.

Many restaurants and bars feature after dinner video or laser disc movies, including: Krakatoa, J1. Raya Seminyak 56; a favorite haunt of old Kuta hands, Rum Jungle, JI. Werkudara; very Oz, Bounty, JI. Legian; Norm's, A. Legian, features world sports; Taman Sari, Gang Poppies II; Topi Kopi, JI. Werkudara, has satellite TV specials.

Bali's nightlife is legendary and these days there are two very different 'scenes', the young boisterous crowd that dominates the Kuta circuit and a cooler, slightly older crowd that frequents the nightspots in Legian and Seminyak.

In Kuta the Hard Rock Café on JI. Raya Pantai Kuta and the Macaroni Club on JI. Legian offer a good start to any evening out with their international menus,excellent cocktails and ideal vantage points for people-watching. For those who like it a bit camper, Hulu Café on JI. Legian has a funky and always busy bar with outrageous drag shows on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Peanuts, on Jl. Legian, has been a Bali institution for years and still attracts a busy crowd to its dance floor and enormous bar. For late night revelers, the Sari Club and nearby Paddy's, both on JI. Legian, offer loud dance music and a packed house until the wee hours.

The Legian and Seminyak crowd tend to start the ball rolling with sunset drinks on the beach at Zanzibar or the Soda Club, both at the bottom of JI. Double Six, followed by dinner and further drinks at Café Luna or the Jaya Pub, all on JI. Raya Seminyak. Much of the Legian action happens in and around JI. Dyana Pura. Here the A Bar has an extensive cocktail menu and is hugely popular with the local expat crowd. Further down the street, the Q Bar and Café Del Mar offer more of the same; great drinks, good company and pumping music.

As the night wears on, the Kuta and Legian scenes both converge on the island's most famous nightspot, Double Six Disco. Right on the beach, this perennial favorite with both foreigners and locals offers open-air revelry until dawn.

Kuta is a shopper's paradise. This is partly because it's an important manufacturing center of summer wear, jewelry and decorative handicrafts which are exported all over the world. Most of the goods are designed by young expatriates from Europe, the USA or Japan.

The best area for shopping is J1. Legian, JI. Bakungsari, JI. Melasti and nearby back lanes such as Poppies I and II. Some of the best deals, though, can be made as far away as Seminyak. Before buying, check everything carefully because goods are not returnable. Beware also of "antiques", as most are fakes.

Kuta has also several department stores. On the down market side Supenova, near the post office on JI. Raya Kuta, offers casual T-shirts, flashy purses and jewelry, while the big Plaza Bali on JI. Raya Kuta has kiosks offering the whole range of Indonesian handicrafts such as batik, ikat textiles and designer clothes. The best department stores for that one-stop-shop are the Matahari stores. There is one on Jl. Legian, one in Kuta Square and another in Mal Bali Galleria on the roundabout on the Sanur By-Pass. As well as ladies, gents and kids clothing departments, they all have supermarkets attached. You will also find the Gramedia Book Store in Mail Bali Galleria as well as the Periplus Book Store.

Clothing
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Kuta offers the whole range of clothing prices and styles, from gaudy T-shirts to exclusive designer cloths. Always check the quality of costly items to ensure you don't get export remnants. Branded goods are not always authentic. Counterfeit items are abundant In small shops, bargain hard. In designer outlets, don't expect more than 10 or 20% discount. Items with price tags are not always exempt from bargaining. A good tailor shop is Aneka Tailor on JI. Kartika Plaza, Gang Melati 7. They will copy or make almost anything to order from suits to shoes for men and women. They have a large stock of different fabrics and leather and offer a speedy service.

Womens
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The established manufacturers generally have more than one outlet in Kuta and Legian. Check out Uluwatu for cut-lace women's wear at one of several locations: JI. Legian, JI. Bakungsari, JI. Pantai Kuta, and Gang Poppies 11. Rascals in Kuta Square carries batik swim sets with matching sarong, costume and accessories. Animale is a huge ladies clothing store in Kuta Square, set out over three very stylish floors. Huge bright collections of day, night and beach wear.

The Balinese partiality for the shiny and the glittery has inspired flashy sport wear and dazzling footwear, like that found at Meidy Collections on Jl. Legian Kaja 458B and JI. Pantai Kuta 23B, and Dynasty at JI. Raya Seminyak 496 and JI. Legian Kaja. A Mica Bali, Jl. Legian 286 has ladies' wear and trendy sandals. A. Dyana Pura has a number of small shoe shops that will also make shoes to order. Try Desperado for some outrageously funky as well as more sensible styles. Muti on JI. Legian Kelod 402 has flashy footwear at reasonable prices. Kaya Gaya, JI. Basangkasa 1, has shoes, bags and jewelry with an emphasis on embroidery and beads.

Children & Teens
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Colorful children's wear is popular throughout Kuta these days. One of the originators is Kuta Kidz, JI. Legian at Bemo Comer, with a classic collection of fun and sun wear. The second outlet is on JI. Legian Kelod. Indigo Kids and OK Kids are on Jl. Pantai Kuta, across from Made's and next to Kentucky Fried Chicken, respectively. Do Re Mi Kids, A. Pantai Kuta 194 also has a wide range. Bali Beach Kids in Kuta Square Block C-25 features children's beach wear.

For the teen set, Bouncy Wear, JI. Basangkasa 1142, Seminyak, has a colorful range of knit clothing. Body & Soul NYC at Kuta Square 32D and Jl. Legian has trendy fashion, lycra pants, shirts, and bright prints.

Surf wear
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Surf Wear is the rage in Kuta now. Stop in Spyderblit on JI. Pantai Kuta, King Kong, Jungle Surf on JI. Legian (opposite Logi Mini Market), Bali Barrel, JI. Pantai Kuta and J1. Legian, or The Curl on J1. Legian Kelod 191. Get colorful shorts and T-shirts at Lost Boy or Amphibla, JI. Legian. Joe's Surf Shop, JI. Pantai Kuta 29D is owned by one of Bali's original surfers, I Made Darsana. Baik-Baik on J1. Raya Kuta has colorful cotton print shirts and trendy pants. Mr. Bali on JI. Legian has fancy shirts, military bermudas and checkered shorts; or try Mr. Bali's brother, Mr. Bali Gozeng on JI. Bunisari. The two giant surf wear brands Billabong and Quiksilver both have stores on JI. Legian and sell everything from watches and jewelry to the latest designs in surfboards. Surfer Girl also on JI. Legian is a huge shop selling everything for the beach girl.

Mambo Surf Deluxe Store, JI. Melasti 34 and JI. Legian Tengah 419, has Mambo brand T-shirts under license, cheaper than overseas. The Surf Shop, JI. Legian 94, has labels including Uluwatu and Kuta Reef, along with T-shirts, bermudas and glasses. Rusty Surf Shop, JI. Legian 462, has imports from Australia * Dreamland Surf, Kuta Square D24, has another range. Bali Design, Gang Poppies II and JI. Legian, has surf wear at more reasonable prices.

Leather Goods
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Leather is big business in Bali. Bags, belts and footwear can all be found along JI. Legian. Some designs incorporate plaited rattan, dubbed "jungle Gucci." Among the notables: Gocko, JI. Legian 406; Natural Leather Station, off JI. Legian near Legian Banjar Kelod; Orlando Leather, JI. Legian. For leather handbags, Site Fashion, JI. Legian 373 or Bella, JI. Leglan 166; Inti Kulit, JI. Laksmana 117; Asia Baugs Leather, JI. Kartika Raya.

Antiques, Ethnic Crafts, Interiors
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You'll find many "antique" stores in Kuta. Be very wary of your Balinese finds: many objects aren't genuine. Most genuine antiques have disappeared, but it's still possible to buy good pieces between 25 and 40 years old from Bali, Java, Kalimantan, and Nusa Tenggara. Handwoven textiles, ikat, from many ethnic groups are authentic and a good value. Look for natural dyes, as opposed to brighter chemical dyes for traditional quality.

Z. Baharrudin, JI. Bakungsari 9A, specializes in hand dyed ikat from Timor, Sumba, Flores, Sawu, and Kalimantan; and beads, baskets and curios from various islands.

Rumah Wayang on JI. Kartika Plaza is a fascinating collection of ethnic art and crafts, specializing in beautifully crafted wayang puppets. Tirta Dewata (Ashitaba), JI. Basangkasa 42, specializes in basketry and Lombok crafts and can customize orders.

New Borneo Shop, JI. Legian III makes nifty rattan and leather bags.

Kaliuda Art Shop, JI. Legian 43/124 has a large collection of woodcarvings and ikat from Timor, Sumba, and Flores.

Golden Buffalo, JI. Legian Tengah 412, has bronze and nickel statues and candle holders.

Gallery Polos on JI. Legian is good for furniture, ethnic blankets and accessories. Its warehouse is on JI. Raya Celuk.

Anang's, Jl. Legian 50 has a good selection of baskets. There are also great shops along JI. Raya Seminyak near JI. Abimanyu:

Apo Kayan, Jl. Seminyak 16, displays beautiful but expensive pieces mainly from Kalimantan. Better priced is a place just beyond Jl. Abimanyu on the left: Kutai, Jl. Seminyak 65, is a small, very down-to earth place with a neat selection of old and new pieces from Kalimantan and Nusa Tenggara. Unlike most other places, the friendly owners can tell you exact details of the merchandise.

Also check out the shops along JI. Majapahit and JI. Tanjung Mekar, where copies of colonial and Sino-Javanese furniture are a growing business. Nona, JI. Legian restores antiques and fabricates for export. There is a strip of antique and furniture fabrication outlets along J1. Raya Kerobokan, north of Seminyak. Kung Wiryana Citra, JI. Kerobokan Raya in Banjar Taman, has a roadside shop and warehouse with good selection and prices. Pelack on JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai 9X, near the intersection to Benoa Harbor, has a range of beautiful, top-quality antique furniture, as does Victory Furniture, with outlets at JI. Basangkasa in Seminyak, JI. Penjara in Kerobokan and two on the north side of JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai between Kuta and Sanur. Tarita Furniture, have a wide range of top-quality furniture and home accessories and have a showroom at JI. Padang Luwih 100X Kerobokan.

A new breed of shops has emerged, combining traditional artifacts in new and trendy design styles. Koncept Lama Kini, JI. Legian 427, does it best with unique contemporary and ethnic arts furniture, accessories, jewelry and gift items. Check out exquisite displays and items at Warisan at Banjar Taman and its warehouse further north in Kerobokan. Kemarin Hari Ini, A. Raya Basangkasa 1200BC, has an array of stone and iron work, candle holders, pillows and decorator items.

Hand-painted batik tablecloths, bed sheets and bedspreads are the specialties at Putri Bali Agung, JI. legian Kelod 52 and JI. Legian 143.

Oleh Oleh, Kuta Square D35, carries exclusive house wares. Balinese paintings and carvings are also available in Kuta, but it's best to shop for these in Ubud, Mas and Batuan. To get a look at Indonesian contemporary painting, drop in at C-Line Restaurant Gallery at JI. Kartika Plaza 33.

Souvenir
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For T-shirts with a difference, Pusaka, JI. Legian 288 and JI. Pantai Kuta 20D, has batik motifs. Eiger Adventure, JI. Bakungsari 18D, carries humorous C-59 Indonesia designs. Joger Art Shop, JI. Raya Kuta, specializes in T-shirts with Indonesian sayings, crafts and oddities you won't find anywhere else. Wisnu Garment on JI. Legian 163 has interesting T-shirt designs at low prices. The place to buy original design T-shirts is Tony's on A. Bakungsari 53 or JI. Legian III.

For bric-a-brac visit the Kuta Art Market on JI. Bakungsari by the beach, where you can bargain for T-shirts and an endless variety of carved animals, wind chimes, imitation banana trees, shells, and batik. There's a similar market on JI. Melasti and numerous stalls along J1. Raya Kuta.

If you don't like bargaining, go to Alex's, JI. Legian 78, or Surya Jaya, JI. Legian 61, for batik, blankets, baskets and interesting small souvenirs. Also check out Joger on .11. Raya Kuta. They have interestingly designed pottery, terracotta and wooden artifacts.

For higher-quality items try House of Yanies in Kuta Square for a collection of some of the finest gifts and home wares that Bali has to offer. For those in need of ethnic-but-cheap souvenirs, the Timor Art Shop at JI. Legian Kaja 423A has the solution. Starting from about $1 they sell containers, bamboo or rattan statues, ikat and other items from Timor, Sumba, Lombok, and Maluku.

Jewelry
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Mayang Bali at Kuta Square A12 is a virtual department store for Thai-crafted gold jewelry. A floor of souvenirs is located upstairs. Most large hotels have jewelry shops. Jonathan, JI. Legian; Mirah, JI. Tunjung Mekar 81 or .11. Petitenget in Kerobokan; Mario's Silver, JI. Raya Seminyak 19; and Yusuf's, JI. Legian 85, are the best places for fashionable designs and quality work. Suarti Design Collection has outlets at Gang Poppies 11, Jl. Legian 404 and in Mastapa Garden Hotel on JI. Legian. Attractive accessories (bracelets, earrings and brooches) can be found in many shops. Try Kaya Gaya, on JI. Basangkasa 1, Seminyak. Grace Shop, JI. Legian Tengah 435, offers stone and beach necklaces. Its outlet next door has aluminum and silver statues and ikat textiles.

Ceramic
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Rumah Manis and Nacha, both in Seminyak, have great original wares such as fruit baskets, tea sets, dinner sets and vases. Nacha also has soaps, incense and aromatic oils. For Lombok pottery, try Lombok Pottery Center on JI. Legian 408 which brings earthenware direct from the Lombok Craft Project villages where products meet New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research standards for food safety. There are many similar shops along JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai, but standards cannot be guaranteed.

Money Matters

Automatic Teller Machines. ATMs are abundant and found at banks, Matahari Dept Store on JI. Legian, Kuta Center and Kuta Square. Most accept bank cards linked to international networks.
Money Changers. Kuta has a great number of money changers. Most money changers are open daily, mostly until late at night. Rates differ, so shop around. Check the money changer's calculations yourself with your own calculator.

Medicals and hospitals

SOS Natour Clinic at Kuta Beach Hotel, JI. Pantai Kuta, Phone 751361/2. Doctor on duty 24hrs. Bali International Medical Center (Phone 761263) JI. By-Pass Ngurah Rai 100X has doctors on standby 24 hours a day and western nurses and paramedics. They also have their own x-ray, pathology lab and pharmacy. International SOS Bali has a 24-hour Emergency Room & Clinic at Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 24X, near the Dewa Ruci roundabout and the Bali Galleria Mail Shopping Center. Phone (62-361) 755 768, fax: (62-361) 764 530.

Internet

Cyber Cafés. Several cyber Gaf6s and offices provide internet connections. Post office The Kuta Post Office is located off JI. Raya Kuta (Phone 759012), open 8 am-8 pm daily, except Sunday and holidays, when it closes at noon. Postal agents (look for the orange sign "approved by the post office") sell stamps, handle shipments and provide courier services. Convenient ones are on Jl. Raya Seminyak, south of Jl. Abimanyu just south of Alas Arum supermarket, and at the beginning of JI. Laksmana, heading toward the Oberoi Bali.

Telecommunications (wartel). Kuta has numerous wartels from which you can call directly to most countries. Open daily, 8 an-11 pm. Convenient ones are at: JI. Legian, between JI. Padma and JI. Melasti (,Phone 756955, fax: 756868); JI. Melasti in the Orchid Garden Complex; JI. Kartika Plaza; and Bintang Supermarket. An alternative to the wartel are the new "business centers" that charge slightly more. Look for the IDD signs. Also popular is Rudi's Business Center, on JI. Abimanyu 3 in Seminyak (Phone 730555).

Kuta Activities
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Surfing. Kuta and Legian have long been surfing areas. The 6 km beach break stretching from Kuta to Petitenget has a range of waves. Speak to the experts at Kuta's surf shops: Jungle Surf, Rip Cud, Bali Barrel, Tubes and The Surf Shop. The owners are all avid surfers and have up-to-the-minute surfing reports and tide charts which are essential for negotiating the tricky currents.

The School of Surf JI. Double Six on the beach (next to the Soda Club) provides surfing lessons for the uninitiated. $35 for a one day lesson, Japanese and Australian instructors.

Swimming. The currents at Kuta are extremely strong and the undertow is dangerous. Swimming is at your own risk. There are markers to indicate no-swim areas, but no sea markers to indicate safe distance from the beach. There are lifeguards at the Kuta Lifesaving Club at the end of JI. Pantai Kuta, but not along the beach. Drowning are not uncommon.

Waterpark. Bali's first waterpark, Waterbom on JI. Kartika Plaza, Tuban, is more than an amusement park with its variety of pools, "rides", and slides in a beautifully landscaped environment. Open 9 am-6 pm.

Bungy Jumping. A new adventure to experience. Facilities in Kuta: Bali Bungy Co., JL Sriwijaya Adrenalin Park, JI. Benesari 69. In Legian: Club Double Six, operated by the father of bungy, A.J. Hackett. Cost per jump: $35-$55.

Cassette tapes. Cassette shops are found all over Kuta. The best selection is at Mahogany, JI. Raya Seminyak, in Seminyak. Good traditional and ethnic music can be found at Disc Tara in the lower level of Matahari Shopping Center in central Kuta. CDs are around $6, tapes $1.60.

Dance performances. Kuta is not the greatest place to see Balinese dance, although the main hotels have cultural dinner shows. Sri Wisata Budaya on J1. Bypass Ngurah Rai in Suung, toward Sanur, has morning performances daily of barong and keris dances. The Pengabetan neighborhood also holds irregular performances.
Duty Free Goods One of Asia's largest duty free shops, DFS Bali Galeria, is at the major intersection into Kuta, off Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai. Plaza Bali, catering to an Asian market, also is on the Bypass. Both sell branded goods, perfumes, cameras, liquors, etc.

Film Processing. The Fuji Image Plaza on JI. Kuta Raya, across from Gelael and nearby Kodak, JI. Kuta Raya 106D, are major processors. For camera repairs go to Prima Photo on JI. Gajah Mada in Denpasar.

Wine. Hatton Wines produces a very drinkable selection of local wines from their winery in Sanur. The Cellar door on the Sanur By-Pass round about, is their shop featuring wine accessories, special additions and tasting.

Horse Riding. Riding along Seminyak beach at sunset is worth the back pain. Go to Jl. Abimanyu and park by the Mesari Hotel. About $10/hour is the usual rate. Look for the stable in the small lane starting on JI. Abimanyu leading up to JI. Legian. The horses are healthy and ponies plus experienced supervisors are available for children. Umalas Stable, J1. Lestari 9X in Kerobokan is a professional stable with trainers and lessons, offering 1-3 hour beach and rice field rides for $25-$70.

Massages. Lots of ladies offer massages on the beach. Although they may not be as good as the ones you can get in Denpasar, most travelers report that it feels good. $3 for a full hour. Massage on Bali has nothing to do with sex. The local euphemism for the latter is jiggy-jig."

There has been an explosion in the number of professionally run spas in Bali. Treat yourself to a pampering and try the various treatments including body scrubs, massages and cream baths. The very popular Body Works have two sumptuous spas at JI. Raya Seminyak and JI. Kayu Jati. For something totally different try the luxurious Moroccan-styled Spa At The Villas on JI. Kunti. Most of the larger hotels now have their own spas. Most spas also have a complete salon for hair treatments, waxing and manicure.

Supermarkets. Dijon Kuta Poleng Blok A/2 is just off the Sanur By Pass roundabout and sports a surprisingly wide range of imported foodstuffs from Aussie meat pies to French cheeses. Gelael Dewata is next to the gas station on A. Kula Raya. This is the place for imported foodstuffs, toiletries and drinks at reasonable prices. It also has a newsstand, a bakery and fast food outlets. In Kuta proper, there is the Kuta Supermarket on JI. Bakungsari and the Alas Arum Supermarket on JI. Raya Seminyak with a similar range of items and some spirit sales by the bottle. Service is slow, but the assortment is wide. Also open at night. Next door is the new Bintang Supermarket. K Market Convenience Stores, open around the clock, carry essentials at outlets in JI. Seminyak, JI. Melasti, Jl. Pantai Kuta, JI. Legian, JI. Gang Poppies, and Jl. Bakungsari.

For more information about Kuta city please ask in the forum or chat room