11 April - 16 April 2011
East Timor was another country that I didn't plan to visit. But when Steve, a guy that I met in New Zealand and who was also in Indonesia, asked me if I was interested in going with him to East Timor, my answer was simple: Why not?
East Timor is a state located in South East Asia, on the eastern half of the Timor island. The country is officially a war zone. Previously colonized by Portugal (the official language is Portugese and Tetun) and then by Indonesia, it is since 2007, officially independent.
There are only 1500 tourists per year that makes me probably the 435th tourist of the year...
So here we are, Steve and I, in Dili, capital of East Timor. At the airport, we are surrounded by UN soldiers and local soldiers. I have never seen so many soldiers in an airport. First sight is very impressive but later, we realized that there were lots of UN cars in the city... doing nothing...
Apparently, the soldiers are still there until 2012 before going home. By for the moment, I think it's the perfect destination for expats families...
Weather is still very hot and tropical with rains from time to time. The second day, we rented a motorbike and went to a wild ride around the island. It reminded me of Laos, but with even less tourists. The landscapes were wild and green, exactly what I like.
The next day, we, Steve, me and 2 other guys we met at the hostel, decided to move to Atauro, an island on the opposite side of Dili. What we discovered after 3 hours on a fishing boat was amazingly beautiful. I discovered paradise that day. White sand beaches, coconut trees, 5 bungalows on the beach and just the 5 of us...
The guys were gentlemen enough to let me stay in the best room, on the second floor of the bungalow. From my bed, I could see through my large open window, a view of the ocean and nothing else, just like in a dream. The guys also spent long hours sitting on my bed just staring at the ocean...
All we did for 3 days is snorkel, swim, sleep, eat, eat and eat... the food cooked by the owner of the bungalows was delicious, just like I love it... what a surprise!
After 3 days in paradise, it was time to go back to Indonesia, where yoga and healthy life was waiting for me...
Next steps: Bali & Gili Islands (Indonesia).
18 April - 3 May 2011
Time to go to the East Coast of the South Island. We started with Dunedin but there was not much to see. Then with my bus, we passed by Christchurch. It was very sad to see the consequences of the earthquake. Roads were destroyed, buildings and houses damaged. There was no possibility to stay there so we headed towards Kaikoura, a little bit north of Christchurch.
Kaikoura is famous for the activities linked with the ocean wild life. So I decided to experience 2 different activities.The first one, swimming with dolphins was amazing. Well, a bit early for me but unforgettable experience. I woke up at 4AM and got ready. By 6AM, I, with 9 other people, was on the small boat looking for dolphins. It was still dark and raining a lot. We all thought dolphins wouldn't show up but after 45 min searching for them, we finally saw them. Hundreds of them swimming in this big ocean. Time to jump into the ice cold water with our very sexy outfit. It was amazing, dolphins were spinning around me with a distance of maximum 30 cm. It was very tempting to touch them but they don't let people touch them... at some point, I saw a very strange brown dolphin. When I looked up closely, I realized it wasn't a dolphin but a fur seal, so cute!
After around 1.5 hour, we got back to the boat and said goodbye to the dolphins.
In the afternoon of the same day, I experienced the whale watching. We got so close to them with the big boat, we could see them breath. The most beautiful moment is when they dive into the water with their tail up in the air, like in the pictures, it was simply beautiful. During the trip we saw 3 whales, hundreds of dolphins, hundreds of fur seals and some albatross. That was also an unforgettable experience.
After Kaikoura, I decided to spend 2 days at Lake Tekapo. One of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen so far. The water was turquoise. A unique color.
The lake is surrounded by mountains. So when I hiked to the top of Mount John, the view was just breathtaking. I was all by myself, standing in front of a gigantic turquoise lake surrounded by mountains. I didn't want to move from there anymore. One Dutch woman even asked me if I was meditating... No, just contemplating the stunning view.I finished that amazing day with an outdoor hot pools with a view on the lake and the mountains, the feeling was indescribable, just magnificent! Sometimes, it's good to enjoy life ;o)
My last challenge in New Zealand was on the North Island. The famous Tongariro Crossing in the Tongariro National Park. A challenge of 19.4km trough volcanoes and craters, lakes and mountains. I am very proud to say that I survived that challenge. Unbelievable! And all the 19.4km in a bit less than 6 hours! I was encouraged by 3 other German friends hopefully.
It was so freezing that we almost didn't stop for a break. We started the walk at 7.30AM, that was a real morning walk! Not sure I will be able to do it again...
Last stop in New Zealand, Coromandel Peninsula, near Auckland, in the North of the country. Famous for its hot water beach. I looked for a long time for the hot water and... never found it (on the picture, I just pretend it's hot but it's freezing cold!). The beach was nice tough...
After all these challenges, I thought I deserved a good rest in Indonesia. So goodbye New Zealand, I will certainly come back one day because i really felt in love with you but for the time being, I need sun, sea, rest and ... be on a diet...
Next stop: Bali and Gili Islands (Indonesia)
