Shop lacks new stock

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