Whilst Manado doesn't present the mind boggling array of handicrafts and items to be found in other areas of Indonesia, it may pay to think outside the square for something that price wise just couldn't be matched at home. The following list represents some items you may not have thought of looking at:

Eyecare products - for the visually challenged amongst you, there are a number of Optic shops in Manado which sell all manner of contact lenses, lense care products, and a fantastic range of frames and lenses. While you probably won't have time to get glasses made up, a good pair of frames are probably a good purchase and most major brands are avaliable if you shop around. Check out the "Optik" shops; Internasional, Ceria, Harmonis and Rama on Jalan Sam Ratulangi and Optik Seis and Melawai near Matahari Store.

Shopping in Manado Clothing - again we see that Manado can't quite match the selection found in other cities but it is worthwhile checking out some of the original brand name products to be found in Matahari, Coco or Roberta stores. Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Polo and Pierre Cardin are amongst the well priced items you could stock up on. Good business shirts and ties are always a good purchase.

Material (Fabric) - there are a variety of small shops around the Pasar 45 (Market area in the centre of town) which specialise in materials of all colours. The Minahasan Karawang is a pretty local fabric which would make an interesting souvenir from the North Sulawesi region. The shops are also stocked with a large selection of batik fabric from Java which are worthwhile picking up if you are not travelling on to Yogyakarta or Solo. In addition to using the fabric for cushion covers or sarongs, what about covering photo albums with batik for a unique reminder of your trip to Indonesia.

Sports Equipment - perhaps not the cheapest items around but depending on the actual exchange rate probably still a worthwhile purchase. I recently bought a life jacket for my son which would have been 3x the price at home. Plastic inflatable toys are also a good buy and easy to take home. Pay a visit to the Adidas shop on Jalan Sam Ratulangi, or Akbar Ali. Or if you are in either Jumbo store or Matahari check out their sports sections and scout around.

Shopping in Manado Souvenirs - Manado does have a number of souvenir shops, and although a number of the items on sale in these shops are from Bali or Toraja, there are a few interesting items unique to North Sulawesi which you may wish to take home. The region is famous for spices; and cloves, cinnammon, vanilla and nutmeg are sold in small packages and these can be bought at a nukber of the souvenir shops. Figurines made out of cloves are also readily available and make an interesting purchase if that suits your taste.

If you are a diver you certainly can't leave without a "Dive Bunaken" t-shirt and these are sold in any number of the shops. A couple of shops in Pasar 45 also sell a variety of t-shirts, so keep an eye out for them there as well.

A visit to Logam Jaya located on the second floor of Matahari Department Store, Warung Ventje and Bohusami on Jalan Sam Ratulangi or the Souvenir Shop Indac just past the Post Office, could well be rewarding. Or if you are heading out towards the airport you could also shop off at the Maleo Souvenir Shop on Jalan Sudirman and the Manado Art Gallery.

While you're out and about in town do set aside some time for shopping and keep your Rupiah handy. You never know what will catch your eye and certainly if Manado is your last or only stop in Indonesia, you can't leave without at least one interesting Indonesian item (or at least a Calvin Klein shirt). The Rupiah is your greatest advantage but remember that all your purchases are helping local businesses and the economy, so don't be too afraid and spend up large!