Oecussi prison
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 a better idea [...]
Pasabe district - Oecussi
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 motorbike. There is [...]
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 [...]
Oecussi
This Catholic church is still in good condition.
Oecussi - East Timor
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 Portugese feel.
This one was an official Oekusse - Ambeno government office.
Rows of Indonesian buildings that have been burnt down line [...]
Oecussi farming
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.
Farming in Oecussi
Oecussi is very dry so the rainy season is waited for in earnest. This year it was late and began the second week [...]
Traditional horse races in East Timor.
Oecussi Horse Racing
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 get [...]
Atauro Express
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.
Ferry to Oecussi
There were at least hundred dolphins and one whale splashing around near the boat on the way back to Dili from Oecussi.
This ferry [...]
Lifau
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.
Lifau - Pante Makassar
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 [...]
Makaleb - Oecussi
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 turtle he just killed a lift home on the back of my motorbike.
Killing turtles isn’t too cool but when [...]
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.
Oecussi lodging
The Hotel [...]