A wonderful 8.5km walk in the hills from Balibar down to the hamlet of Maliqueo in Ailok and the summit of Mt Coulou, before returning back uphill via a different route to complete the loop. There are spectacular views across the city, and the walk includes two Uma Lulik (traditional Timorese sacred houses), an open air chapel, and a shrine to the Virgin Mary.

From the main road it didn’t take long to reach the first Uma Lulik, a relatively new one with the common three branched tree outside, with animal bones tied around it.

There were a few views between the trees and the first of many cemeteries on a short walk.

This open air chapel was worth a short detour, though I attracted the attention of the locals and had to pose for five selfies, one with each sister (plus children) in a family.

It was a beautiful landscape.

Other than perhaps this recent burnt out section.

It was basically all road walking, 3/4 dirt and 1/4 sealed, which was easy and unusually shady.

This house was under construction, using bamboo scaffolding.

Another cemetery and some well tended crops.

This section was wonderfully shady, which can be hard to find when hiking in Timor-Leste.

This green shop marked entry into the hamlet of Maliqueo.

Which had another cemetery, and Uma Lulik.

This shrine to the Virgin Mary was rather beautiful.

As were the views from Mt Coulou, marked by a large white cross.

I took the drone up for a better view.

The walk back was a bit of slog up a steep dirt road almost devoid of shade, though there were a few things of interest. Next time I do this walk I’ll walk it in the opposite direction to try and maximise the shade, and spread out the return climb.