For the detailed route and logistical information please select this hike below (click top left for the list of hikes).
An enjoyably varied and scenic easy short walk to the west of Dili that included beaches, lakes, and not one, but two memorials to the visit of Pope John Paul II to Timor-Leste in 1989.
It was a logistically straightforward walk. I caught microlet #10 to the western end of the route, got off, walked for a couple of hours, and caught microlet #10 back from where I started. It was a little cloudy at Tasi Tolu Beach but it was still a great place to start the day.
Across the main road is Uma Adat São Paulo II, a memorial to the visit of Pope John Paul II. Pope Francis is hopefully visiting in August 2024 so I suspect the scaffolding surrounding the memorial relates to that.
Tasi Tolu literally means “three seas”, which aptly describes the three shallow inland lakes, though in the dry season they can disappear almost completely. There was enough water thankfully at the end of March for some beautiful reflections across to the hills and communities that surround them.
An unexpected treat was to find where taxis go to die / be salvaged in Dili. There were at least 30 vehicles in various states of dismantlement, as locals strip them for parts and anything useful.
I then wandered through the village on the end of the lakes, passing a traditional Timorese building and a small cemetery.
The second lake, Danau Tacitolu, also offered great reflections.
There were a few fish swimming around, but there were outnumbered by dead fish on the lakeshore.
Returning back toward the main road a large Saturday morning market was being set up.
I spotted one of the colourful, if uncomfortable looking, regional buses drive by.
The main road out west is pretty decent, with the grass verge in the centre being maintained by a handy cow!
Dili’s Inland Dry Port is along here, and had some interesting equipment outside.
It was then time to climb lots of steps up the hill opposite Dili Rock, which is home to a rather striking statue of Pope John Paul II. It was opened in 2008 by the then President of Timor-Leste, Ramos-Horta, who is now President again as I write this in 2024.
There is a chapel near the statue and a pretty cool wall cross.
Views are surprisingly limited from the top but through a gap in the trees I could see Dili Rock below, and in the distance the airport, and even further away the Cristo Rei Jesus statue.
Coming down there were a few glimpses of the Tasi Tolu lakes.
There is good snorkelling all around Dili Rock, and local kids were enjoying the water.
Walking back along the beach on the eastern side was far more enjoyable than the road walking I’d done on the way out.
I found a huge pile of used coconuts being recycled by the local goats, along with a convoy of motor-taxis taking a break in the shade, sensible given how hot it was.
