We have been in Indonesia for almost three months. We had high expectations before we arrived in the country but the beginning was quite disappointing. The worst part was getting used to the dirty and smelly rooms and that for the same price as our clean rooms in Thailand. Starting from Bali our feeling about Indonesia improved, we have seen remarkable natural scenery and encountered lots of friendly people.
The poverty of the East Timorese is obvious as soon as we enter the country. The people have nothing more than a bamboo roof over their heads. There are hardly any shops or restaurants to be found, which is very strange in Asia. The road starts pretty well but soon becomes a path of boulders. Again, it is clear that the dry season lasts too long, the nature is arid and the riverbeds are empty. After a few kilometres a young man, called Fabio, approaches us. He invites us into his home in Dili, the capital of East Timor.
In the morning we want to leave Dili but the road is blocked because there is a mountain bike race going on. We wait since this is the only way to Baucau, our next destination. After an hour of waiting we can finally leave. The road first follows the coastline for a long time. The sea and the beaches offer a nice view but you immediately see that it is not ideal for swimming due to the coral. Then we drive inland where its very dry but is invigorated by the many animals that walk around: cows, goats, pigs and dogs.
Back in Dili we unfortunately receive some bad news from the shipping agent. Apparently there is no more space in any of their containers on the next ship, which is planned for early December. The next boat to Australia sails around mid-December so we would have to wait until New Year to pick up Mickey in Australia. They are also bothered with the situation and advise us another shipping agent. It's getting late now, so we first go check in at a hotel that weve already visited during our first stay in Dili.
Our shipping agent ANL (TOLL) proposes not to put Mickey in a crate but just put him in a container and secure with straps. Without a crate, a minimum of 3 m³ is charged but you avoid the crating costs. She shows us some pictures of other overlanders who shipped this way, since we are not convinced. We see several motorcycles in containers so decide it will do. The shipping agent tells us that we must provide the straps and have to drive to customs at the port of Dili to get a stamp in the Carnet.
We spent two weeks in East-Timor. We had high expectations before we entered the country but were very disappointed when we left. It had been a long dry season so everything was very arid, we can imagine that it would be much nicer if the country would look green again after some rain. The road ran many times through the mountains with beautiful views over the ocean. Very nice were the many bays and small beaches and the beautiful clear blue sea. The beaches and the sea usually werent really pleasant to linger due to the coral in the sea and on the beach, and the many pebble beaches.
This video is a summary from our trip through Timor-Leste
More info on www.wijzijnweg.org
At the airport in Bali, we look for a taxi to take us to our hotel in Denpasar. We are talking to a taxi driver but he charges quite a high price. He blames this to the fact that gasoline prices have risen. We know that gasoline prices are fixed in Indonesia by government subsidies. So we do not believe him and continue to negotiate the price. Afterwards well see that the gasoline price indeed has risen, about 0.60 euros per litre (before 0.40 euros).
Denpasar Airport
When we wake up, we see its the perfect weather for a swim. We walk to the centre and rent snorkel gear. After breakfast we immediately start our snorkelling trip to Gili Meno. We each have a backpack with drinks and some clothes. After about an hour of swimming, we arrive at Gili Meno, we have a rest on the beach and snorkel further along the coastline. The coral is a lot nicer here than at Gili Trawangan and we also see some very big fish. We also walk a bit on the island and notice that its a lot quieter here than on Gili Trawangan.
Arrived in Denpasar we go to our hotel to drop off our luggage and to take a shower. Hereafter we go to the BIMC Hospital, internationally known as a better hospital in Bali. The doctor tells us that the wound isnt looking too bad but gives us an antibiotic injection and new medicines. The next few days we return to the hospital for further care. At the end of the week the doctor decides we dont have to come back and the hospital provides us with all the materials to clean our wounds ourselves.
**For more information about the shipment see Shipping East Timor Australia : Part 2 on our blog,or on www.wijzijnweg.org under the section Travel Info Shipment**
**For more information about the shipment see www.wijzijnweg.org under the section Travel Info - Shipment**
In a few days it's Kevin's birthday and he chooses to celebrate on Gili Trawangan. On arrival in Bali, we rent a scooter and drive towards the island. Here we enjoy the sun, the sea and the beach at our previous bungalow. Balimoon is still here and enjoys our company. On Kevin's birthday, we discover a new spot on Gili: we follow the path to the viewpoint and arrive on the grazing fields with sights over Gili Meno and Gili Air. Its really a beautiful spot.
At sunset we cross the state border with South Australia and spend another night on a rest area. In South Australia they seem less equipped and look less maintained. By the evening of the next day we finally see some other landscape than bush when we are driving between nice hills with beautiful views over several large salt lakes.
In Mildura we find a great camping: we get a site close to the river, there are very clean toilets, theres a nice pool and a camp kitchen with all necessary kitchen appliances. We see ourselves staying here for a while and hope to find a job close by.
Camping by the River
