After being able to relax a bit in Kupang, it was time for a new adventure! We were picked up quite early, before six in the morning. We had a time, and they were not there on time, so we had to wait, while being super tired, until the bus came. Traveling with Timor Travel, Conny recommend them. They were the cheapest option, besides, of course, hitchhiking.
The bus ride
The bus ride to Timor Leste was long, it was over 12 hours from Kupang to Dili, the capital. Doing the border crossing was included that time. It was quite a small bus and also not much space. People were smoking, and the only way of getting fresh air was to have the windows wide open. When having the windows wide open, you are not the favorite person in the bus, it is important to not care though, put the window open when you are hot! They also smoke even though you might not want it!
While getting to Indonesia, we were doing some breaks, even a break to eat in a restaurant. We first thought that it was included, which sadly wasn’t the fact, but it wasn’t expensive, just normal Indonesian prices.
We tried to sleep, but the road wasn’t fun, and with a smoking guy next to me while sweating from the heat, let’s say it like that: it wasn’t easy. The ass hurt, and the tired feeling overwhelmed as well, but in the end, Bana and I saved a lot of money, and probably the other bus wouldn’t be that much better.
Border Crossing
The border crossing was quite fun, to be fair, it was really hot, and being exhausted didn’t help. We first had to get our exit stamp in Indonesia and walk through no man’s land. Many people looked at us, but Bana surprised everyone by his skill of using random picked up words in no context at all to satisfy other people, or at least leaving them in confusion. Probably it’s confusion, so people are not thinking of robbing us, or something like that.
Before finally reaching the border, we had to show Indonesian soldiers our passports. After showing them the passports, they asked us for pictures, so what can you say to people with Kalashnikov right in front of you? We wanted a picture on our phone too, so they agreed. I guess we were more hyped about the pictures than them.
After some photo sessions, we reached Timor Leste and were trying to fill out everything at the border. A lot of people wanted money for using their pen, but in the end, we luckily found a way around that.
It was quite busy there, which is basically in all countries where the entry is manual and people wanting to visit. It just takes a long time, but that is how it goes. People in Kupang told us that we need to pay for the visa there, but luckily we are not from Australia or the USA. Our visa for Timor Leste was for free, and we just got stamped. Or at least we should have. When I was on the bus again, I realized that I didn’t have a stamp, so I went back and received it. This was actually easier than expected.
Making it to Dili
Back in the bus, I realized that I lost my water filter bottle in the other bus because we switched buses. Luckily Conny was able to take it for me, after the bus arrived back in Kupang. That’s just on the side.
We were finally in Timor Leste on the way to the capital Dili. With Josh, our host, we were in contact, and after arriving in Dili, he was picking us up. Everything went quite well with Timor Travel; they pick you up at a suitable location and drop you where you want as well. Dili seemed to be a busy city, which looked a bit like a place that could be an interesting experience. Nothing fancy, just a bit rocked down with not much money included. We heard mainly bad things while talking to Indonesians, but were excited to see what exactly Timor Leste has to offer.
The lulik Josh
Our host Josh picked us up near his place and drove to his place. It was a place on a dirty-looking side street. We parked and entered his nice and cozy place. Food was prepared from someone from his big family, and we shared the meal. It was super tasty and good food, exactly what we needed after the long drive.
We got along really well and had some nice talks. Bana is a professional by asking hundreds of questions, which are interesting to hear answers to. The questions were often quite random, and it is a skill I, for sure, need to learn!
Lulik could mean basically holy, sacred, or forbidden. In his village, he was the leader of them, so Josh was there represented as holy. We heard already interesting stories on the first day of how village life is going and also about how life in general in Timor Leste is happening. Learning about the culture of the country was great and helpful for understanding more during the trip. For the first day, we already heard a lot about him and his personal life, which was sometimes information that was unexpected.
First full day in Dili
After waking up and talking a bit to Josh, he went to bed because he was up the whole day. It was time for us to explore the region a bit and get some cash because they pay in $US in Timor Leste, so why not get some? Also, in general, it is always better to have cash on you, sometimes people will not accept cards.
We walked to the beach, and it was super early, but already hot! Along the beach, there was out of nowhere a parade happening. It seemed like some school was performing something. The people were dressed up with traditional clothes, at least it seemed like it. It was for us a great way to start in the country, by experiencing something unusual for us. Also, the people were willing to take pictures with us, which was amazing!
We still focused on getting some cash, but it was harder than expected to find an ATM, but also not as hard as written online by people. We just found a supermarket, who was having an ATM, after the two ATMs before were not working. I wanted to get out cash first, but I am using a Mastercard. The whole country of Timor Leste is not accepting Mastercard, so without Bana, I would have big problems actually. So when you are planning to go there, don’t take your Mastercard, it is useless. Visa and Cash is working!
After being back home, he was getting up as well, and we went together downtown to drink a coffee. I took something cold. We had some more talks and thought of maybe exploring together, but Josh wasn’t motivated, so we went ourselves then.
Meeting new people and feeling like in Rio
We were walking along the street to find the right bus, and we started asking some girl who was not local. She was from Singapore and helped us find the right bus. At the end, she actually joined us on the trip. We wanted to go to the Statue of Christ, which is one of the main attractions in Dili and feels like being a little copy of the one in Rio.
We took the local bus for $0.25 one way and made it almost completely there. On the way, we were getting to know each other. She was in Timor Leste for some development work in the mountain region. There she works voluntarily as a teacher. She was also really religious, and we had many talks about religion actually. Bana asked again many deep questions, which was for me always super interesting!
Walking up the mountain to get to the statue was actually super exhausting, due to the stairs and the midday sun. Nobody was at the statue, which was great, so we could enjoy the view to the fullest. I tried to enjoy it, but the sun actually was killing me a lot, so it was quite challenging.
Receiving some energy
We took the ride back to town and searched for some food. During the ride, we actually met two Australian tourists there. I mean they lived in Australia, but were also from Germany, at least the husband. It was quite funny actually. The first other tourists we met there.
She knew all the good spots, which were also cheap! Perfect for us! I ordered two portions of noodles with some rice, and at the end, I also drank a coconut which she brought us! It was luckily prepared, not spicy and super cheap as well. Even cheaper than in Indonesia. We alone might not find that actually without her help. It was just a sketchy-looking place, without prices on. So not a place a tourist would choose. In the end, it was amazing. The food was quite decent, and I enjoyed it for sure!
We walked along the coast together before we went back to Josh to finally lay down underneath the air conditioner. It was nice having a semi-local with us to show us more a local way during traveling.
What is next?
Next up is more exploring of the country, with some interesting things in it again. Including a salty wet story, stay tuned!
