Despite being the capital city of Timor Leste, Dili is a small city with one small shopping mall and zero skyscrapers. A simple city - with its very own charm. Dili has a beautiful waterfront and Portuguese influence is very evident, being a former colony. The architecture, street names and even the names of the Timorese are very Portuguese. They have their own language, Tetun, but Portuguese language is also widely spoken. Visitors will also enjoy authentic Portuguese food in Dili.
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| Casa Europa |
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| By the waterfront |
Amost every year, work takes me to Dili- where I could not say I fit in well- but I do get along with the place. The last time I was there, I had to stay for 3 weeks to do a training, and the month before that, I had to stay also for the same number of weeks, to provide some support.
So what to do when in Dili?
The fist thing visitors do is to hike up the 580 steps to Cristo Rei. It's a huge statue of Christ the King situated at the top of a hill in Cape Fatucama. It was a gift from the Indonesian government to appease the Timorese after Timor Leste got its independence from its colonizer, Indonesia. The Stations of the Cross lines up the stairs leading to the statue. From the Cristo Rei, you get a view of the beautiful coastline of Cape Fatucama. The best time to go to the Cristo Rei is before breakfast.
After the hike, drive down to Areia Branca beach, which is a favorite breakfast hang out place during weekends. There are several beachside cafe's and restaurants which serve European breakfast menu, with very good coffee selection. Fresh coconut juice is also available.
So what to do when in Dili?
The fist thing visitors do is to hike up the 580 steps to Cristo Rei. It's a huge statue of Christ the King situated at the top of a hill in Cape Fatucama. It was a gift from the Indonesian government to appease the Timorese after Timor Leste got its independence from its colonizer, Indonesia. The Stations of the Cross lines up the stairs leading to the statue. From the Cristo Rei, you get a view of the beautiful coastline of Cape Fatucama. The best time to go to the Cristo Rei is before breakfast.
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| To the top!! |
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| The Cristo Rei |
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| Ocean view... |
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| View from the top |
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| Life is a beach! |
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| Palacio do Gobierno |
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| Parlamento Nacional |
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| Office of the President and job seekers looking at job postings |
A visit to the Arquivo and Museu da Resistencia Timorense is also worth it if you want to learn more about their history. However, you will get out of the museum feeling disturbed given that the museum depicts their history of resistance when they were annexed by Indonesia, which was a bloody part in their history.
Late afternoons would be a good time to chill or just to take a walk or watch sunset by the waterfront or at the Largo de Lecidere.
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| Man selling fish at the Largo de Lecidere |
And then you can call it a day and cool down at that cozy Italian restaurant near the Largo de Lecidere.
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| My favorite berry iced tea. |
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