The vast majority of Baucau’s residents live in New Baucau, a ten minute drive uphill from Old Baucau. Very few tourists venture here, but though it lacks any real sights it was still an interesting place to explore for a couple of hours.
It is easily reached for 25c by one of the many microlets leaving from Old Baucau. Slightly confusingly they have the colour schemes of Dili microlets, but the unlike in Dili the colour doesn’t relate to their route, just the number on the front.
I took a microlet to the top of town, paying a quick visit to Ginásio de Baucau.
This was next to the seemingly never ending Merkadu Baucau, which is concentrated at the top of town but shops ran the entire length of my walk.
As usual there was quite the range of produce and products on sale, though with more shade that I’ve typically seen in this sort of markets. Most towns have built formal structures to house the markets, but not Baucau it seems.
The Stadium Baucau wasn’t as colourful as the one in Emera, but from the top of the stands there was a good view of Matebian. At 2,376m it is the second highest peak in Timor-Leste. Though the taller Mane (male) peak (on the right) was hidden by cloud, the 1,963m Feto (female) peak on the left was clear and looked impressive.
Terminal de Baucau was near empty in mid-afternoon, as the inter-town buses leave in the mornings to Dili, Los Palos, and other destinations.
The Catholic Church in New Baucau was surprisingly low key, as there is a large cathedral in Old Baucau. It had an interesting mural and water feature opposite the entrance.
Heading down to the coast to Watabo Beach, an idyllic stretch of sand backed by palm trees.
It is best to stay away from the water though, as illustrated when I saw this huge crocodile swim by!
Close to the beach is the unusual Fatuk Domin, a natural arch topped with a tree.
To finish with the lovely daTerra Agroecological Farm, where I had a delicious dinner. The farm was started in 2011, and opened to accommodation from 2017. I had the best chicken I’ve eaten in Timor-Leste and enjoyed the atmosphere.
The bathroom / toilet set up was interesting!
