East Timor
East Timor

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    • Day 212

      Dili (Timor-Leste)

      October 21, 2022 in East Timor ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

      Country number 11!
      What a ride so far, in 3 days I travel for 7 month and I just reached a new country.
      Not many people go here and that was one of the reasons for me to go!

      So far it’s really good (just two days in) I met in my first night a journalist working for the German tv.
      He got some recommendations for me and that helped me a lot.

      Yesterday at the Jesus I talked to a school class and the teacher and they invited me for next week to come over. I am really excited for this opportunity.
      I am not really sure what I will do there but the teacher was so nervous to see and talk to me that I can’t say no to that offer!

      Today I will leave Dili (the capital city) behind me.
      It’s so hot here let’s hope the other places are better.
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    • Day 216

      Lospalos

      October 25, 2022 in East Timor ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

      What can I say, Lospalos was great!

      Sometimes you have to take a risk in your life and I did that. Just jumped in a random car and had an amazing time with his family. That was completely different to everything I did on my travels so far. I just lived with the family for some days (for free), everybody was so nice even when they don’t understand me. I slept on the floor, there was no real toilet and the shower was a bucket. But that doesn’t matters.
      They shared everything with me and I with them, I showed them a German cards game, a card trick and I helped the neighbor painting his house.
      We also played football and basketball, it was just a fun time.
      The people here have not a lot of money but a big heart, I am really happy that I had that opportunity.
      If I come back that life to East-Timor I have to see them again.

      Now I have to go back to Dili, because I have tomorrow a meeting in the university, I don’t know what’s going on there but more about that the next time.
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    • Day 217

      UNPAZ university Dili

      October 26, 2022 in East Timor ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

      One day later a post again?
      For that special day I need a own post!

      Today was the first day of Uni in my life, I mean I never went in Germany, so first day as a „student“ check!
      I was more like a special guest there, I talked to a lot of students about different things like traveling, Europe, environment, money, the life in Timor-Leste and more.
      Everybody was really friendly and it looked like they been also happy that I visited them. Tourism is here not really a thing and a tourist that visit them is even more rare.
      First I had a tour in the area and they show me everything, then we went to the forest and planted some trees (picture 3).
      Doing something good for the nature is always nice.
      After we finished the work I chilled with 3 of them in a Café and we talked a bit more.
      They told me that a lot of people want to work in Europe or Australia because the money here is so bad. When you think about in Germany are people they get a apartment and money from the government for doing nothing and the people here work hard (not everybody is working hard but you know what I mean) and get maybe the half of that.

      It’s not a fair world and I knew that before, but it’s different when you see it and feel it.
      We can be happy that we are born in better circumstances. The time here is a really good reminder for me to think about something like that more often.

      The day was really interesting for me and I hope for them too. It was a big pleasure to go to university for one day. I wish all of them just the best in life.
      I will never forget that and I am thankful!
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    • Day 54

      Mitten im Paradies

      June 29 in East Timor ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

      Früh ging es los und wir haben uns aufgemacht um zum Hafen zu kommen. Das noch schlafende Dili hat in den frühen Morgenstunden gegen 7 Uhr nichts mehr mit dem Chaos des gestrigen Mittags zu tun. In einer Bäckerei deckten wir uns noch mit Snacks für den Tag ein bevor letztlich am Hafen angekommen sind. mit der Dragon Boat Ferry ging es für 10 US$ pro Person auf die kleine paradisisch gelegene Insel Atauro mitten in der Bandasee. Während der doch sehr bequemen Fahrt zwischen einigen wenigen Touristen und vielen Einheimischen wurden DVDs auf den Fernseher geschaut während die Klimaanlage und der Dieselmotor des Boots ihre Arbeit taten. Die osttimorinesische GEMA hat die Filme bestimmt genehmigt 😄😄😄 Endlich war es soweit und das Boot hat angelegt. Raus aus dem unterkühlten Schiff und wieder draussen in der tropische Hitze haben wir scheins eine Zeitreise in die 60er Jahre zurück gelegt. Keine geteerten Straßen, überall Müll, wenig bis keine Autos, Frauen die auf offenem Feuer kochen und von Elektrizität sieht man auch nicht viel.
      Zu Fuß ging es dann wenige hundert Meter bis zum Atauro Dive Resort, unsere Herberge für die nächsten Tage. Dort angekommen, dann der nächste Hammer... Die Zeitreise hat sich bestätigt. Zum ersten Eindruck kommen jetzt noch Plumpsklos mit Kakerlaken und Strom gibt es tatsächlich nur wenn de Generator läuft oder die Sonne scheint. Allerdings muss man zu all den Unanehmlichkeiten sagen dass wenigstens die Kulisse stimmt. Die Insel liegt einfach paradisisch und erinnert einen an den Film "Verschollen" mit Tom Hanks. Gegen Mittag machten wir noch direkt einen Tauchgang am Hausriff. Da es Lauras erster Tauchgang nach dem Kurs war, sind wir gespannt gewesen wie es wird, vor allem weil die Erwartungen an die Begebenheiten hier sehr hoch waren. Und wir müssen sagen dass wir keines Falls enttäuscht waren. Das Riff und das Erlebnis waren absolut unglaublich. Noch nie haben wir so viele verschiedene Fische und Korallen gesehen. Der Tauchgang hat die Unanehmlichkeiten und die Umstände die uns die nächsten Tage hier begleiten werden wieder wett gemacht und wir entspannten den restlichen Nachmittag am Strand.
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    • Day 221

      Im Lesten was Neues

      May 18 in East Timor ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

      Wir sind nun bereits seit 7 Monaten unterwegs und haben gerade den dritten Kontinent erreicht. Wir haben uns zwar räumlich wieder etwas nach Westen bewegt, sind aber gleichzeitig im Osten angekommen: Wörtlich, weil "Leste" auf Portugiesisch Osten bedeutet und kulturell, weil wir den (süd-ost) asiatischen Kontinent bzw. Kulturraum erreichen.

      Mit dem neuen Kontinent ändert sich schlagartig der Charakter unserer Reise. Plötzlich ist alles dicht besiedelt, die Planung der Einkaufsmöglichkeiten und die Suche nach günstigen Lebensmittel oder Trinkwasser ist nicht mehr notwendig, da es überall und zu jeder Tageszeit Essensstände, Obststände und Kiosks gibt. Dafür gibt es keine öffentlichen WCs und Mülleimer mehr und für die Trinkwasserversorgung müssen wir leider auf Wasserflaschen umsteigen.

      Auch die Schlafmöglichkeiten ändern sich: Zeltplätze und WarmShowers-Hosts gibt es weniger, dafür aber günstige Unterkünfte und flexible, gastfreundliche Locals. Wir haben dennoch ein Zelt dabei, das wir im Zweifelsfall aufstellen können.

      Eine gute Küstenstraße führt uns aus Dili heraus und durch viele kleine Küstenörtchen. Waren wir vorher nur schlichte, etwas ungewöhnliche Verkehrsteilnehmer:innen, sind wir in den ländlichen Regionen nun ein absolutes Tageshighlight. Viele Kinder entdecken uns viel schneller, als wir sie, rennen zur Straße, rufen "Malay!" (= Weiße) und "Bom Dia" (= Guten Tag) und sind ganz aus dem Häuschen.

      Timor Leste ist mit gerade einmal 24 Jahren eine der jüngsten Demokratien der Welt. Wir treffen unterwegs viele stolze Menschen, die uns von dem harten Weg aus der portugiesischen Kolonialzeit und der darauffolgenden indonesischen Unterdrückung erzählen. Nur wenige Tourist:innen verirren sich in die ländlichen Gebiete, umso interesssierter und aufgeschlossener sind die Menschen: Am zweiten Fahrtag werden wir mittags von zwei älteren Herren der FRETILIN Partei zu einem Kaffee eingeladen. Zwei Kilometer weiter fragen wir in einem Restaurant am Meer, ob wir dort zelten können. Das ist umstandslos möglich und wir dürfen unser Zelt sogar auf der Restaurant-Terrasse, direkt neben dem angeleinten Haustier-Äffchen, aufstellen.

      Am nächsten Tag heißt es mal wieder "Im Westen was Neues": Wir verlassen Timor-Leste und erreichen die indonesische Westhälfte Timors.
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    • Day 6

      Atauro Island

      May 21 in East Timor ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

      Atauro is a inhabited, oceanic, volcanic island about an hour and a half by boat off the coast of Timor-Leste. It is a relatively untouched island with an ecotourism reputation. That rep includes diving and snorkeling.
      The 1st picture is the view from my front porch. The 2nd picture is along the beach looking back towards where my cottage was located. The 3rd and 4th pictures are scenery on the island. The last picture is along the road in the town of Beloi. Most of the roads on the island are unpaved
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    • Day 103

      Cristo Rei of Dili

      January 20, 2020 in East Timor ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

      It was a casual day, but we got it into gear by lunch time. We walked up the street to rent some scooters, but none available, and we rented a busted up old clunker to doodle around town in. First, we managed to get some lunch on our way to our first site . . . the Cristo Rei of Dili. We climbed up the 800 stairs to the top, and managed to sweat out every drop of the water we drank that morning. We had considered driving out to Black Rock, but it was showing as an hour drive on Google Maps. We then went back to the Timor Plaza to get some more cash, and were considering a movie. As I walked in to the Movie house, out comes Corey (NUTS IN), and he convinces me that Black Rock in only 25 minutes away. OK, that's good enough for me. So we reload into the car, and off we go . . . an hour later, I kid you not, we got to the area that was Black Rock, but the roads were so bad, that we did not think our poor little rent a wreck could handle it, so we drove back to Dili.Read more

    • Day 73

      Jesus in East Timor

      January 20, 2020 in East Timor ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

      Just mucking around on an island! How unlike us!! AND its HASH time!! great views of the ocean! East Timor looks similar to Hawaii with the mountains but the economics are Not the same!! People were lovely, friendly and super happy to have visitors around to show off their island style! I have been on Antibiotics for 5 days so sober me while around hashers! It was a lot of fun and we got treated to a LImo ride!! Being very classy in East Timor! Dili Dili!! Hazukashii got called in to a 3 some party drink with some Canadians but opted for a beer shower instead!! Shout out to our new friend Cory and his wife! The Hashpitality was amazing and I suggest a trip out there if you ever get the chance!! Sorry this was a late post but the internet is very spotty out their! I didn't get a chance to scuba but on to the next island! Port Vila Vanuatu! ON OnRead more

    • Day 4

      Oé-cusse, Timor-Leste

      May 19 in East Timor ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

      Timor-Leste is the proper name for East Timor. This is the least visited country in Asia, and Oé-cusse is the least visited part of the least visited country.
      While not unique, Oé-cusse is separated from the rest of Timor-Leste as an enclave surrounded by indonesian West Papua.
      The 1st picture is the original monument at the location where the Portuguese first landed on Timor Island in the 16th century. The 2nd picture is a newer monument that has a ship, sailors, natives and more to commemorate that event.
      The 3rd picture is a bit of the beach in the main town across the street from the old Portuguese administrative building in the 4th picture.
      The 5th and 6th pictures are of the old Portuguese church dedicated to Saint Anthony. The building has been renovated, but much of the original architecture is maintained except that the building was white stone. This is now plastered.
      The last 2 pictures are at the waterfront enclosure dedicated to Mary. The entry is guarded by 2 angels (picture 7). The 8th picture is a statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus. An annual town festival centers here on a Mary feast day.
      The last 2 pictures are at the airport. It's a beautiful new building, obviously built for future growth. The last picture is the departure board for all the day's flights: our domestic flight to Dili.
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    • Day 5

      Dili

      May 20 in East Timor ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      Dili is the capital of Timor-Leste, the smallest and newest country in Asia. And this is the least visited country in Asia.
      The 1st picture is the Christ the King statue on a hilltop overlooking Dili and the harbor. It is reminiscent of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio.
      The 2nd picture is the presidential palace, and the 3rd picture is a portion of the parliament building. The 4th picture is of a former presidential house that has been converted to a museum commemorating the life and presidency of Jose Ramos-Horta. Mr Horta received the Nobel Peace prize which is show in the 5th picture.
      The 6th picture is one of several traditional markets in town.
      The 7th picture commemorates a dark time. When the people is Timor-Leste voted overwhelmingly for a independence, the anti-independence group went on a rampage and scorched earth retreat. It became a genocide. This cemetery is when those killed at the time are buried. This particular monument is to a journalist who brought news of the killing to the world community, cementing international support for independence.
      The 8th and 9th pictures are of the Roman Catholic cathedral.
      The last picture is of the headquarters of the political party and that became the party of the early national government. As is typical of revolutions, the group leading the rebellion often takes power in the new government. That is the case here, and this is the party descended from that group. They remain a political party, albeit in opposition these days.
      Our visit coincided with both the national (independence) day and national elections. So many places were closed
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Timor-Leste, East Timor, Oos-Timor, Timɔ Boka, ምስራቅ ቲሞር, Timor Oriental, تيمور الشرقية, Şərq Timor, Усходні Тымор, Източен Тимор, Kɔrɔn Timɔr, পূর্ব টিমোর, Timor Leste, Východní Timor, Timor-Leste nutome, Ανατολικό Τιμόρ, Orienta Timoro, Ida Timor, Timor ekialdea, تیمر شرق, Timoor Fuɗnaange, Itä-Timor, Eystur-Timor, Timor orientâl, East-Timor, Tíomór Thoir, પૂર્વ તિમોર, Timor Ta Gabas, Istočni Timor, טימור המזרחית, पूर्वी तिमोर, Wuchodny Timor, Kelet-Timor, Timor del Est, Daya a Timor, Estal Timor, Austur-Tímor, Timor Est, 東ティモール共和国, აღმოსავლეთი ტიმორი, Timori ya Mashariki, Timor Kangilliit, ទីម័រខាងកើត, ಈಸ್ಟ್ ಟಿಮೋರ್, 동티모르, تیمۆری ڕۆژھەڵات, Timoria Orientalis, Timowa, Timorɛ ya Moniɛlɛ, ຕິມໍຕາເວັນອອກ, Rytų Timoras, Timoru wa diboku, Austrumtimora, Timor Atsinanana, Источен Тимор, കിഴക്കന്‍ തിമോര്‍, पूर्व तिमोर, Timor Timur, Timor tal-Lvant, အရှေ့တီမော, Øst-Timor, Oosttimor, पूर्वी टिमोर, Oost-Timor, Timòr Èst, ପୁର୍ବ ତିମୋର୍, Aslagang Timor, Timor Wschodni, ختيځ ټيمور, República Democrática de Timor-Leste, Timor da l'Ost, Timoru y'iburasirazuba, Timorul de Est, Восточный Тимор, Nuorta-Timor, Timôro tî Tö, Východný Timor, Vzhodni Timor, Timorka bari, Timori Lindor, Тимор-Лесте, Östtimor, Timori Mashariki, கிழக்கு தைமோர், తూర్పు టిమోర్, Timór Lorosae, ประเทศติมอร์-เลสเต, Silangang Timor, Timoa Hahake, Doğu Timor, Тімор-Лешті, تیمور لیسٹ, Ðông Ti-mo, Lofüda-Timoreän, Orílẹ́ède ÌlàOòrùn Tímọ̀, 东帝汶, i-East Timor

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