Dili & Atauro (East Timor): war zone and paradise in one country

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).