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Oecussi prison

Oecussi prison

Oecussi prison – East Timor
An abandoned prison just outside of Pante Makassar in Oecussi is a reminder of Indonesian times.
I don’t have the full history on it but the general consensus is that is was pretty full under the Indonesian administration.
If I get the chance to talk to Father Richard maybe he can give [...]

Pasabe Oecussi

Pasabe Oecussi

Pasabe district – Oecussi – East Timor
The people living in Pasabe scratch out a living by farming under harsh conditions.
The dry season is difficult and when it rains the rivers fill and further isolate the villages.
The few vehicles that travel there often use the dry riverbeds as roads.
It is the perfect place for touring by [...]

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Rivers of Oecussi

Rivers of Oecussi

Oecussi rivers – rainy season
Oecussi is usually very dry but when the rainy season starts many of the rivers swell and make travel difficult.
These people just deal with it and just wait for the river level to drop and then resume business as usual.
Some communities can be cut off for several weeks when the bigger [...]

Old buildings Oecussi

Old buildings Oecussi

Oecussi East Timor
This Catholic church is still in good condition. Many of the buildings in Oecussi were destroyed in 1999 but there are a few interesting remnants left standing that still give the place a Portuguese feel.
This one was an official Oekusse – Ambeno government office.
Rows of Indonesian buildings that have been burnt down line [...]

Farming in Oecussi

Farming in Oecussi

Oecussi farming East Timor
Slash and burn practices are still commonly used in Oecussi and the rest of East Timor.
Some groups are supporting reforestation and trying to introduce other methods to grow crops.
Oecussi is very dry so the rainy season is waited for in earnest. This year it was late and began the second week of [...]

Bareback Horse racing in Oecussi

Bareback Horse racing in Oecussi

Traditional bareback horse races in Oecussi – East Timor.
Horse racing is one of the big events in Oecussi. The other is waiting for the rainy season to start.

The horsemen camp out near the airport under the trees and start racing in the late afternoon.

I was able to go down and meet them but did not [...]

Getting to Oecussi by Ferry

Getting to Oecussi by Ferry

Atauro Express – Ferry to Oecussi from Dili
The Atauro Express runs from Dili to Oceussi on Mondays and Fridays.
The boat is Indonesian and will be replaced by a donated ship from Germany in the year 2007.
(dp note – this ship has already been replaced)
This ferry is the main lifeline between Dili and Panta Makasar in [...]

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Lifau - Oecussi

Lifau – Oecussi

Lifau Oecussi
In the year 1515 the Portuguese made their first landfall in an area called Lifau. It is near the racetrack where the locals race their ponies.
There are rugged hills for a backdrop behind the town of Pante Makasar in Oecussi also spelled Okusse.
The local language spoken here is Baikano.
The Portuguese arrived in the year [...]

kus kus

kus kus

Makaleb – Oecussi – Kus Kus
The villagers were getting ready to stew these 2 little rascals so I decided to buy them and take the little guys home on my motorbike.
Kus Kus in Oecussi
I gave a guy holding a dead  turtle  a lift home on the back of my motorbike.
Killing turtles isn’t too cool but [...]

Hotel Rao - Oecussi

Hotel Rao – Oecussi

Hotel Roa – Oecussi
The bus to the border comes up this road on the way out of town for a 45 minute ride to Bobometo.
There you can cross the line and catch a lift to Kefa in West Timor. Make sure you have your visa in advance if going into West Timor.
The Hotel and Restaurant [...]