WHY - WHAT - HOW: Timor Leste, East Timor

East Timor has a lower-middle-income economy. About 37.4% of the country's population lives below the international poverty line – which means living on less than U.S. $1.25 per day– and about 50% of the population is illiterate. It continues to suffer the aftereffects of a decades-long struggle for independence against Indonesian occupation, which severely damaged the country's infrastructure and killed at least a hundred thousand people. The country is placed 134th on the Human Development Index (HDI). Nonetheless, East Timor is expected to have the sixth-largest percentage growth in GDP in the world for 2013.

Timor Leste 2013/09/24

Hotel restaurant

having my breakfast with Kucu

Selfies again with Christine, while waiting for Kucu who was having a conversation with this Romo who approcahed her, named Romo Akbar (=´∀`)人(´∀‘=)

Portugal munchies

Christine & Romo Akbar (the boss of THS - THM which is an Indonesian martial art group) my brother said he controls the whole business at Timor Leste and famously known as the most powerful Romo both politically at Timor Leste and also mystically (rumours by the locals say that he can paralyze people at the distance of 10 meters, walk on the ocean, miracle healing, see the future etc lol) (°◇°人°◇°)

The local police was given this ring by Romo Akbar

Om Nando, our driver ＼（＠￣∇￣＠）／

Dili at noon

A car in front of the US embassy

US embassy, really nice architecture from the outside.. too bad can't clearly see the building cause the fence was blocking the view

Shade trees

Yellow house

Telkomcel graffiti

On our way to Don Bosco to pick Romo Andi up

passed by Timor Plaza again

Passing through the bridge

car rental

Mie sedaap billboard

If I'm not wrong, we ran into Ko Carlos' car

Yellow taxis and road kiosks

Local village

Visiting Don Bosco again for the 2nd time, under Romo Andi's request

The capela (chapel) at Don Bosco

The brothers hanging out (*´∀`*)

The St.Mary's grotto

picture taken by one of the brothers

Reitor = rector

The dining room, had some Indonesian snacks such as pisang molen & nut bread while chatting with Romo Andi & Romo Manuel ｏ口(・∀・ )

More of the dining room

Doggy U・♀・U

Billboard? (?・・)σ

Met another brother (*^▽^*)

The guest room

Back on the road

Merchants by the side of the road

Back to Tasitolu

It was really hot during the day（￣□￣；）

At the parking lot

John Paul II Monument

The late Pope John Paul II visit has to be one of the most substantial catalysts that led to the 2002 country sovereign declaration, for this the Timorese are eternally grateful.

Standing at the hilly side of west Dili, overlooking the beautiful coastline of Tasitolu is the six meter tall bronze statue of the late Pope John Paul II.

An estimated 96% population of Catholic belief, a significant Portugal legacy, East Timor is the second largest Catholic country in Asia next to Philippines.

A visit from the head of the Catholic Church marked by a mass celebrated on October 12, 1989, what I can only assume not only further elevated Timorese faith but also ignited the passion to continue to fight for the country independence.

The area of Tasitolu is blessed with beautiful mountain greenery view, a lake that can be circled around and a park decorated with traditional Timorese palm thatch roof gates.

The ocean by day from above

Tasitolu (Tasi tolu, translates as "three waters") is a protected area on the coast of East Timor, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of the capital Dili.

Constructed by Montana Diak group

white cars

Kucu Ratna & branches о(ж＞▽＜)ｙ ☆

Christine and the crosses 〜(￣▽￣〜)

Cross hole

The cellphone generation (=^･ω･^)y＝

and Kucu too... ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

Red flowers

Tourists (/^-^(^ ^*)/

Little kid walking down the street

Another random view of the hill

Going down the hill

The Tasitolu wetlands include three saline lakes, an esplanade, and a beach; it has been designated a Wetland of National Significance

A big white bird (°<°)

Villager kid (focused the lens wrongly) (ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ

Lots of tiny houses made of cement and bricks

Wild hog

and its children ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´(00)`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

Tasitolu Peace Park was designated in 2002 because of its cultural and historical importance.

The Tasitolu Important Bird Area accommodates several near-threatened species.

These birds migrated from Australia and according to Om Nando they were as big as the size of a car （＠◇＠）

and there were tiny black birds too（・θ・）

Christine inside the car sheltering herself from the heat of the sun (*≧▽≦)ﾉ

Badlands

Residential houses without a license

Moving further away from Tasitolu

If I'm not wrong this was a horse racing venue

Back on the road again

The terminal

Mazarello Bakery & Catering where the bakery products are made by the nuns

We bought Dellos mango juice, banana juice (which tasted like bubblegum), lamington & tiramisu which were delicious (＃´ー´)旦

The student uniform comes in different designs

The small bus in Timor

about to cross the zebra cross

Going into the Palácio do Governo

In English it's called the governor's office

Gates

Looks like a police car to me? (´−｀) ﾝｰ

another governor's car

The plates were pretty cool

The water fountain was not on - por mares munca dantes navegados

Me and the palace ヽ( ★ω★)ノ

Christine taken by me ヾ(。◕ฺ∀◕ฺ)ノ

The ocean in front of the governor's office

East Timorese Resistance Archive & Museum - Timor-Leste [Memória]

soft toy soldiers

brochures

Kucu & Romo Andi in the museum ＼(^▽^＠)ノ

really nice museum compared to Indonesia's museums

Soeharto, the 2nd president of Indonesia

Casualties from fighting in August 1975 at Dili Hospital - very graphic pictures and videos exhibited in the museum

Let the picture tells the story :)

Weapons

Letters

Timeline

Theater & painting gallery

Window

Selfies in the restroom ＼(*T▽T*)／

Together with the security guard

Outside of the museum

Our driver brought us to some random lousy buffet cafe for lunch - that cost us 6$ per person

my lunch & more Sagiko :p

Origami tissue papers

PPG sexy bodies lol Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili is the main church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dili, East Timor.

Plans to build the cathedral began in 1984 with the Indonesian Government providing funding totalling about US$235,000

The cathedral, situated on a 10,000-square-meter plot, measures 1,800 square meters and can hold 2,000 people

Selfies in the cathedral ヾ(@^▽^@)ノ

Indonesian President Soeharto on November 2, 1988 officially inaugurated Dili's new Catholic cathedral, reportedly the largest in Southeast Asia

The ceremony was attended by Dili's apostolic administrator, Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.

In October 1989 it was blessed by Pope John Paul II.

The Cathedral played an important part in the country’s independence struggle, with leaders like the Noble Laureate Bishop Belo advising people to go into the country’s election with the spirit of humility of Jesus Christ.

Me and the cathedral taken by Christine (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))

Christine and the angels gate (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

Tais market in Colmera

If you are looking for souvenirs, this is the place（＾＿－）≡★

Christine drinking her Sagiko (。・・)_且

A unique Timorese market selling lots of good quality hand-made and woven Tais, jeweleries, bags and traditional goods. All well-presented, friendly stall holders and is easy to wander around. It is a must-do when in Dili.

No doubt you still can get Tais or all kinds of Tais product in Timor Plaza too. But Tais Market is still cheaper than Timor Plaza. Example normal Tais will cost you USD 10 in Timor Plaza but Tais Market you got it the same Tais for USD5.

There are many stalls selling a wonderful variety of tais, from all around Timor Leste. With each area having its own patterns and colours and with a mix of tradional dye and modern colours this is a vibrant colourful experience.

Necklaces

Christine and Kucu in the market (*^o^)人(^o^*)

shops were nicely arranged in a small complex.

Little kid taken by Christine

Runny-nosed (゜▼゜＊）

Fantastic range of Tais at very competitive prices. You should go with a local who can speak the local language to ensure that you are not paying above average prices for tais.

Om Nando was asking me to smell this fan made of sandalwood ヽ(‘ ∇‘ )ノ

Traditional weapons - 30$ can negotiate

Crocodile displays like the ones seen at the Timor Hotel parking lot sold by a local kid when we first arrived

Christine busy with her phone again ＼(☆o◎)／

A close up of Christine (^_-)

Kucu bargaining some Tais ☆～（ゝ。∂）

Really cute and colorful souvenirs

This is the market every visitor should go

The imagery and patterns of Tais vary greatly from region to region, but they often include messages of local and significant events.Imagery often includes animals such as the crocodile, upon which the creation legend of the island is based. Geometric patterns known as kaif are also employed in most Tais. The prize of these Tais could go up to 60$.