May 2013: As part of a two-week trip that included Bali, Komodo Island-Hiring a Skiff to See the Giant Dragons of Komodo Island and Walking Through a Snake Cave in Waist High Bat Excrement in Search of Reticulated Pythons | Venture The Planet, and the Northern Territories of Australia-The Australian Outback-Exploring Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territories | Venture The Planet, I visited Timor-Leste for two days with my friend Dan.
Timor-Leste, the second newest country in the world (after South Sudan), became independent in 2011. Located in the Indonesian archipelago, the country speaks Portuguese, a legacy of its colonial past. The past 70 years have been tumultuous, marked by the Japanese invasion in WWII, the struggle for independence from Portugal, and an invasion by Indonesia, resulting in a brutal conflict that caused around 200,000 deaths. The international community, including the United States, was slow to react to Indonesia’s invasion of Timor-Leste under the rule of Suharto, who was considered an ally of the West against the Soviet Union, especially in a region where many other nations turned to communism.
When I visited, Timor-Leste was still in transition. Much of the capital, Dili, was experiencing unrest and considered lawless. I was advised to stay in safe districts and avoid walking around at night. UN peacekeeping forces remained visible throughout the country. With newfound oil reserves and its strategic location near Australia and Indonesia, Timor-Leste is actively being courted by both China and Australia, seeking influence in the region.
Location of Timorleste
Dan and I decided to stay outside of Dili, along a large beach that stretches all the way to a giant statue of Jesus, Timor-Leste’s version of Brazil’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue. The locals were incredibly friendly and engaging, and we ended up sharing beers on the beach with a group of college-aged kids. They were kind enough to let us take their motorbikes for a spin, and we had a great time riding up and down the beach road. The laid-back atmosphere and warm hospitality made for a memorable experience.
Dan on a motorbike
Me sharing a beer with a new friend
Our new friends from Timor-Leste kindly took us to the Christ statue for free, just to show us around. From the statue, we had a fantastic view of a much wilder beach, completely empty of people and development. When I asked why the beach was so deserted, I was told that the local people believe a giant man-eating squid comes in from the ocean at night. My immediate thought was, This is something I absolutely need to see if it’s real!
Christ Statue
For the most part, we lounged around the beach, sipping Caipirinhas and coconuts, and snacking from the beachside food vendors. With the Portuguese-speaking locals around us, it really felt like I was back in Brazil, just enjoying the laid-back vibe of the beach. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure!
Dan at the beach
Beach where our hotel was located
Beach where the giant squid is believed by locals to live
We took a taxi around Dili at night and ended up at a lively local bar, but the taxi driver strongly urged us not to go in for our safety. So, we decided to check out another place, which turned out to be much safer. It was packed with foreign aid workers and UN folks, with very few locals around. The food and drinks were great, though, so we stuck around for a while before heading back to our hotel. The next day, I continued my journey to Darwin, Australia, where I rented a car and set off to explore Kakadu National Park-The Australian Outback-Exploring Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territories | Venture The Planet.