It’s only been nine months since my last
trip to Timor-Leste and yet it felt like so much had changed. Like I have
mentioned in this blog time and time again, I have a incredible job and I’m so
very lucky to travel for work – especially to somewhere as exciting and
beautiful as Timor-Leste!
A couple of months ago (in late June) I was
able to head back. New team - same projects - same Timor-Leste but so many
things have changed! It seems like nine months of constantly thinking about a
place means it really gets into your heartstrings. I was shocked just how
different Dili was - a place of consent road works and building where there was
none last year. The city seems to be a buzz with activity. However, stepping out just a little also
brought home the very quite everyday life of most of Timor-Leste. There are
essentially no tourists or travelers, which makes every little trip or visit a
bigger adventure then it may be in 10 years once the tourism industry takes
off.
Similar to last year, this trip we split
our time between Dili, Alieu and Atauro Island (still three of my favorite
places) to spend time and to visit our partners and projects that are doing so
well. We were also able to do a couple of new things that I didn’t get a change
to do last year.
Below are my four top moments from this
latest Timor visit.
1) The National Resistance Museum – We
missed out last year but it was as exceptional as everyone said. Very well put
together and presented. Very interesting to hear and see the struggle of
independence from the Timorese perspective.
2) The Green Farms and Hills of Alieu – our
last trip was much deeper into the dry season so this year we saw the beautiful
fertile landscape of Alieu district in the mountains of Dili. They looked
idyllic and peaceful - a dramatic contrast to the dust and noise of Dili.
3) The Parade of the Youth Cross – Our
visit this year over lapped with the visit of the Youth Cross from Portugal.
Timor-Leste is a deeply committed Catholic country and as the cross visited
each district, the streets would be lined with hand made bamboo decorations and
everyone from the local community would come to see the cross and to join in
the celebrations. It was beautiful to watch the dancing and singing and to see
communities working together to prepare and decorate. This was not something we
expected to see during our visit but it was fascinating and beautiful and an
honour to be able to see this.
4) Whale Watching on the way to Ataruo Island
– This is probably better described as a life highlight and I don’t think I’ll
ever see anything so spectacular again in my lifetime. On our way to Atauro the
captain of our boat spotted a whale. We pulled up beside it and watched it swim
slowly passed before taking a dramatic dive to the depth of the ocean after
presenting its back and tail for us to admire and enjoy. We were all memorized
and applauded after he was gone because honestly, what else do you do when a
whale waves hello??
Over all, another incredible trip to an
incredible country. I love being in the place I think about every day. I love
sitting on it’s beaches and talking with the people.
If you are at all interested in an
adventure holiday like no other, you should consider Timor-Leste as an option,
you won’t regret it.
5/5 days at the beach
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