ONE OF THE world’s youngest countries, according to the United Nations, but not according to the Timorese people who resisted Indonesian occupation at a terrible cost for 25 years. Timor had its independence recognised in 2002, after horrific Indonesian violence which followed a referendum. There are good beaches, mountains, friendly villages and good coffee.
I visited in 1992, during the Indonesian occupation, not long after the infamous massacre at Dili’s Santa Cruz Cemetery. Despite tight security, frightened people and the presence of informers, it was a pleasant, friendly place, with potential for tourism.
A "gift" from the Indonesians, this statue shows the Timorese breaking the chains of colonialism. Indonesia itself colonised Timor from 1975 to 2002.
Australia's dealings with East Timor are a stain on the nation.
Churches in occupied East Timor provided sanctuary, both spiritual and physical, from the invaders.
Victim of the Santa Cruz massacre, where Indonesian troops opened fire on a funeral, 12 November 1991.
The Timorese have disticntly Melanisian features, like this family on the beach.
Timorese are overwhelmingly Catholic.
The market in Bacau.
A traditional stilt house in the mountains.
In a village in the hills, this lady was pounding like there was no tomorrow....until I got my camera out. This lifeless pose was the best she would give me.
Probably the only legacy of Indonesian rule was the excellent roads, made that way for the army.
I visited Timor about six months after the Santa Cruz massacre, in 1992.
Bacau is a pleasant coastal town with a busy market.
A market in the countryside. The Indonesian presence in Timor drove up prices for everyday items like food.
Despite the troubles, I found Dili to be a pleasant, spacious provincial city.