Shop lacks new stock

A group of us who regularly prowl through the dark, funky atmosphere of the Bumi Ayu Duty Free Shop in Kemang, are increasingly bewildered at the store's inability to obtain their new stock. While the brightly lit market next door seems to have new stock arriving daily, Bumi Ayu's container, having arrived last November, is, despite all necessary payments, not being released by Department of Trade and the customs clearing agents PT Cipta Niaga. It is interesting to speculate what it is that they have to do that would take eight months -- or is it that "certain people" want the store to quietly strangle to death?

There is always the quality of a treasure hunt when shopping at Bumi Ayu which has traded glitz for good prices and variety for quality. Those of us who are wine lovers like to take our time savoring the smells and peering myopically at labels imagining the taste of the first mouthful. At the moment the store is almost empty and the staff looking very glum indeed. What does one have to do to shake up the boys in the bureaucracy?

Recently, a few of us were at Bumi Ayu looking for some "Chataux Cardboard" -- the load of Lindemans is amongst the stock on the docks -- for a forthcoming party when a couple of women entered. It was clear they hadn't been there before. After walking around one said "the prices are much better here, but where is the wine?" Exactly.

MELODY KEMP

ANNE HARRIS

DAVID BIGGINS

DARYL BULLEN