J
UST ONE HOUR NORTH of Darwin by air,
Timor-Leste (East Timor) is blessed with
natural scenic beauty, colourful events, a
unique culture and friendly people.
Dili, the capital, is the entry point and home
to about 20 per cent of the country’s one
million people.
Nestled into the base of the surrounding
hills and looking out to the sparkling waters of
the Wetar Strait, this little city shows all the
signs of a bustling and dynamic centre and yet
manages to retain a laid back atmosphere
where people still have time to savour life and
smile. Dili’s youthful energy is contrasted with
Portuguese features harking back to colonial
times, like the villa-lined beach roads, the
former colonial garrison and the waterfront
Motael church.
New resorts and tourism facilities are being
developed all the time and you will find myriad
accommodation options, a wide range of
restaurants, both modern and traditional, shop-
ping, bars and entertainment. There are plenty
of attractions to visit close by. A white sandy
beach in Area Branca is a perfect location for
those who like to spend a day relaxing by the
water. World class diving and snorkeling
opportunities await offshore with the ever-visi-
ble Atauro Island a favourite spot for visitors.
For a perfect weekend brunch you can drive
up into the hills to enjoy stunning views of Dili
and savour some delicious Timorese coffee at
the Dare Memorial Museum and Café. Here
there is a monument commemorating the
Australian soldiers who fought in Timor-Leste
during World War Two and their Timorese
‘kriados’ or ‘helpers/friends’.
Timor-Leste has a strong and unique cultural
heritage reflecting many influences:
traditional beliefs inherited from ancient
times; five hundred years as a Portu-
guese colony; the impact of World War
Two; the more recent Indonesian
invasion and Timorese resistance; the
role of the Catholic Church and the
impact of other minority groups such as
Chinese traders.
Beyond Dili there are many special
places to see. On the eastern tip is the
Nino Konis Santana National Park with
its offshore jewel, Jaco Island. This
area’s pristine terrain with white sand
and crystal clear water has been
described by visitors as “a true tropical
paradise”.
The island is open to visitors in the
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