Matahari Kuta Square Bali

Twice during the last 2 days I have been to Matahari department store in Kuta Square. Matahari is a 4 storey shop that stocks just about everything. Here's the deal with Matahari. Outside the store, everything is fake, fake watches, fake perfume, rip off DVD's. Inside the store some things are fake (Polo shirts) but most things are real (cologne). Locals and tourists shop there because they have deals on local type stuff, t-shirts, cheap business suits etc. and you can get a plug adaptor. The ground floor has a supermarket which is really handy for stocking up your room if you are staying nearby.

The ground floor also stocks nick nacks and handicrafts. Second floor is cosmetics and women's stuff, third floor menswear and the top floor kids stuff and bookshop. Matahari makes a great one stop shop to pick up souvenirs, clothes and food. One of my recent purchases was a suitcase. Being a backpacker I haven't used a suitcase for maybe 20 years, but there is a time for one. The third floor stocks a good selection and I chose a plastic, indestructible case made in Japan. It has 4 locks and 2 sets of wheels. Oregon is wet and I don't want my stuff getting wet. The thing cost me 880,000rp and will probably last for the next 20 years. When I was buying it the saleswomen asked me if I wanted to jump up and down on one of the test models. "No thanks" I said "I don't want to slip over." Undeterred, she placed a suitcase on the ground and jumped up and down on it, just like the sumo wrestler in the photo.

Matahari has security at the front door these days and they go over everyone who carries a bag with a metal detector. I have fun with them putting my arms in the air and pretending I'm being arrested.

Matahari is open all day. I don't know the exact opening times, I think its 10am – 10pm or there about.