East Timor Things to Do

  Looking towards Jaco Island
by DSwede
 
  • Looking towards Jaco Island
      Looking towards Jaco Island
    by DSwede
  • Com Private Beach
      Com Private Beach
    by DSwede
  • Sunday Fish Markets
      Sunday Fish Markets
    by DSwede
  • Fatima Statue and Fountain
      Fatima Statue and Fountain
    by DSwede
  • Meeting the locals
      Meeting the locals
    by DSwede
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Dare WW II memorial

by theo1006

A memorial site at Dare, at 5 km south of Dili, commemorates the role of Timorese and Australians resisting the Japanse occupation during WW II. A number of Australian companies stayed behind after the Japanese invaded Timor and waged a guerilla war aided by the Timorese.The original memorial was established in 1969 by the 2/2nd Commando Association to honor the Timorese whithout whose aid their war effort would have been impossible. As recently as 25 April 2009 (Anzac Day!) a small museum and a café was added, funded by Australia's Department of Veterans Affairs. And private donations made it possible to build a primary school on the museum site which is now attended by 300 pupils.Displays tell the story of the Australian commando's and their Timorese allies. A moving personal touch is the picture of veteran Paddy Kenneally meeting his war-friend Rufino Silva in 2006.From the memorial...

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Loes river bridges

by theo1006

The Indonesians built a lot of steel bridges, this one near Atabae across Loes river perhaps is the longest we saw (although, the one upstream between Balibo and Maliana seems not less long). Clearly this bridge had strategic value during the Indonesian occupation, as Loes river is the first and widest one to cross when one invades East Timor from West Timor.

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Balibo Flag House

by theo1006

At the foot of Balibo fort a unprepossessing building commemorates the "Balibo Five", the Australian journalists who were killed by the Indonesian army in 1975. It was in this house that they had tried to take cover. In 2003 the house has been restored and renovated by the Balibo House Trust.Indonesia has tried to cover up this crime for years with the acquiescense of the Australian governemment. Only recently, in September 2009, a war crimes probe into the deaths of the Balibo Five was launched by Australian Federal Police.The names of the five are:Greg ShackletonGary CunninghamTony StewartMalcolm RennieBrian Peters Also several East-Timorese heroes are commemorated here. And part of the building serves as a Community Learning Centre sponsored by the Trust.

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Balibo fort

by theo1006

Although Batugade fort lies closest to the border with West Timor, Balibo fort seems more strategic as it lies on a hill overlooking the sea and the border area.Not surprisingly at Balibo in October 1975 the first skirmishes with the Indonesian army were fought out prior to the full scale invasion. These skirmishes cost the lives of five Australian journalists, now known as the Balibo Five (see 'Balibo flag house').The fort is in the same derelict condition as Batugade fort. It is worthwhile to go inside for the views. The inhabitants of the old Portuguese house within the compound do not seem to care.

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Balibo memorials

by theo1006

Adjacent to Balibo flag house are more memorials.An independence statue towers above everything else. The fence posts around the statue are recycled army equipment.On a wall are written the names of the East Timorese who were killed by the militias after the plebiscite in 1999.And several plaques honour the Australian army battalions who served here as peace- keepers.

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Batugade fort

by theo1006

Batugade is a logical place for a fort, only 2.5 km from the border with West-Timor. The fort was built by the Portuguese in 1655, now it is crumbling and overgrown. Within the walls a fairly spacious compound with a few ruines of buildings. Some people live in sheds within the walls and greet the few visitors. Most peculiar detail in our opinion: the fort was not built of rock but of coral - see one of the pictures, detail of a wall of the square building.Batugade itself is a sleepy place: a church and a few houses at the T-crossing in the road. Coming from Dili one can turn right to the border or left inland to Balibo, Maliana and Bobonaro. As yet no restaurant or souvenir shops to serve tourists like at Maubara fort.

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Liquica recreation beach

by theo1006

This deserted recreation beach near Liquica is called "Praia da Memoria", but our guide could not explain why. We wanted to have a swim here on our return from Maliana, but when we passed by again it was already dark.

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Liquica town

by theo1006

At Liquica town square we saw this unfinished monument "in honour of the heroes of the independence" facing an old Portuguese mansion. At a government office people were queuing for social security benefits.

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Maubara lake

by theo1006

A shallow freshwater lake near the coast with eerie dead trees. People don't bathe here because there are crocodiles, according to our guide. When someone meets a crocodile, it is probably because he has done something wrong. The crocodile shows up to warn him that he has to make amends. The person will plead: "grandmother, please don't eat me". He calls the crocodile grandmother because according to a popular legend it was a crocodile who transformed into the island Timor and so provided the people with a place to live.

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Salt making

by theo1006

Also near Atabae there is a site where people make salt from seawater. Elsewhere we have seen them let the water evaporate in large ponds. Here they filter the water in a mud bed, then boil it off on a fire of palm leaf ribs. There is another salt-making site closer to Dili, just about 15 km west of Dili (past the Pope statue).

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Fun things to do in East Timor

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Reviews and photos of East Timor attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for East Timor sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in East Timor
  1. Dili Things to Do
  2. Baucau Things to Do
  3. Oekusi Things to Do
  4. Tutuala Things to Do
  5. Pune Things to Do
  6. Maubisse Things to Do
  7. Baguia Things to Do
  8. Com Things to Do

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  I am going to be in Dili, Timor Leste in March. I'm wondering what travel route is best and cheapest from Dili to Christchurch,... 

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A: The other choice rather than Air North through Darwin is Singapore airlines who do a regular flight Dili/Singapore. I haven't looked up their current timetable however... 

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