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Dili, Timor Leste (Monday 25 July)

A lazy day today, looking around Dili. Justin has classes today so I am on my own. Comoro River is the biggest of the rivers passing through Dili. During the dry season it is dry except for a trickle as are many of the rivers that drain from the highlands to the coast on theContinue reading “Dili, Timor Leste (Monday 25 July)”

Dili, Timor Leste (Sunday 24 July)

I meet with Justin at 10am down on the harbour. We catch a taxi to a church on a hill just west of the town. On the way we pass the Comoro markets. ‘I don’t go there’ explains Justin. ‘Oh? Why?’ I ask. ‘There are drugs and they kill people’ he replies. ‘Oh…that is aContinue reading “Dili, Timor Leste (Sunday 24 July)”

Dili, Timor Leste (Saturday 23 July)

Another day around Dili. I visit the Santa Cruz Cemetery this morning. It plays a significant role in Timor Leste’s struggle for independence. In 1991 a peaceful protest at this cemetery was managed ‘Indonesian army style’ and over 100 people were killed including a young New Zealand national and two American journalists were badly beaten.Continue reading “Dili, Timor Leste (Saturday 23 July)”

Dili, Timor Leste (Friday 22 July)

I move to Timor Backpakers today. Large Bintang is $4US – that’s better! I spend another day in the city. Lunched at a Turkish cafe and the owner used to have a Turkish restaurant in Cairns. I knew it well having dined there. He has had the cafe here for five years and his home-madeContinue reading “Dili, Timor Leste (Friday 22 July)”

Dili, Timor Leste (Thursday 21 July)

Timor Leste is the Portuguese name for East Timor and is the name being adopted everywhere. Portuguese is spoken mostly throughout as Timor Leste was a Portuguese colony. They colonised the region for hundreds of years while the Dutch controlled the western end of Timor. I’m not sure what the Portuguese did here apart fromContinue reading “Dili, Timor Leste (Thursday 21 July)”

Dilli, Timor Leste (Wednesday 20 July)

Flying to Dili from Bali is easy. There are two airlines that service this route daily, indicating a busy interchange of people between the two locations. I fly with Batavia Air and the 140 seats available were full. From the air, Timor Leste has some beautiful looking beaches. The airport is simple but that’s fine,Continue reading “Dilli, Timor Leste (Wednesday 20 July)”

Legian, Bali (Tuesday 19 July)

I’ve just been violated! For the first time on this entire trip I have been robbed! I’ve been to some dodgy places in my time here and walked up some dark alleys at night and have not felt threatened – until today. It happened in broad daylight in busy Kuta. I know the culprit quiteContinue reading “Legian, Bali (Tuesday 19 July)”

Legian, Bali (Monday 18 July)

We hit the nightclubs again! I leave early but Freddy and Agung rage on to end up in some lightless underground club and decide to amplify their night with some ecstasy! A variety of drugs are easily available here but what makes this instance interesting is that it was going on in the presence ofContinue reading “Legian, Bali (Monday 18 July)”

Legian, Bali (Sunday 17 July)

Surprisingly up and about at 9am, considering the previous nights shenanigans! Over breakfast I decide to spend a couple more days here which means changing my flight to Dili in East Timor from tomorrow to Wednesday. This means a trip to the airport and throwing caution to the wind, I take a bike taxi! ItContinue reading “Legian, Bali (Sunday 17 July)”

Bali (Saturday 16 July)

It’s kite season in Bali. The skyline is splatered with kites of all different sizes, shapes and colours. The dry season throws up perfect consistent winds and of course no rain so the kites fly – and so high.I’m hopeless at judging height but the rolls of string attached to these flashes of art inContinue reading “Bali (Saturday 16 July)”