Locals, Shells & Shops: Jimbaran Bay

Jimbaran Bay locals, seem to still carry on like long ago. Life in Jimbaran goes slow, and the local aspect is as strong as the tourist aspect. Today I watched locals at work in the fish market up in Kedonganan. Most of the customers were Balinese, although you can bet a ton of the best fish goes direct to the big hotels and resorts. Chatting with 2 guys working on their nets, they told me they had caught large fish that day, although we all know how big fish stories can get. One guy jokingly asked me for my hat, sunglasses and sarong. I told him I was so white, I’d get sakit (sick) if I didn’t wear all that stuff. Probably true, considering the power of the sun today.

Solo Balinese people, were rod fishing in the middle of the beach, wearing crash helmets and well wrapped up against the elements. Other locals were in knee deep water, digging shallow holes in the sand. Checking with one old lady, I noticed she had a collection of small shells, that the tide had washed in. Close to the Four Seasons, is a little collection of local bamboo shops, selling shirts, sarongs and shells. One lady, Nyoman Susi, told me her prices. Large conch shells and other small shells, were going for from $5-$30. Nyoman said they were from Menjangan Island, in NW Bali.

Other prices include sarong 40,000rp, shorts 50,000rp,
mens shirt – 55,000rp, ladies dress – 60,000rp.

Nyoman’s shop is open from 9am- 6pm

Nyoman said business is quiet after the 2005 bomb. Her customers are from everywhere, and the shop is located between the Four Seasons and Intercontinental.