Posts Tagged ‘Binagua’

Day 412. 76km. Binagua – Tutuala

Posted: July 10, 2016 in Cycling, Timor Leste
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The island has come to an end and the road has come to an end. It feels like the end of the earth. We’re at the end of a bumpy dirt road, on the edge of a high grassy plain surrounded by rocky mountains reaching up to the heavens. Heavy black clouds hang low over the peaks ahead, and the sun behind casts long evening shadows in front of us. There is tranquillity in the air. Here time stands still, and we have come to rest.

Towards the dark clouds

Towards the dark clouds

This island is incredible. Every day – every few hours – the landscape changes. We started the day cycling on a peaceful road bumping along the coast, grassy plains to the left and right. Cows and goat graze, watching as we pass, and water buffalo wallow in the muddy pools.

Coastal road

Coastal road

Then it was time for lunch – 30 fried bananas and a watermelon. A bus stopped – a typical one for East Timor. The busses are always colourfully decorated – usually with paintings of young, attractive women or of Jesus Christ. This one was with young, attractive women.

Colourful bus

Colourful bus

Colourful bus

Colourful bus

Then the road climbed through forest to a high plain with endless grassland and cows, ending in a lake in the distance. The road was very bumpy, and the standard Timor headwind kept our speed down, but our spirits were high as we breathed in the beauty of this remote part of the earth.

The road to the end of the island

The road to the end of the island

The lake

The lake

Tomorrow we will descend to the beach at the end of Timor island, and visit Jaco island – and wave in the direction of Darwin… Australia!

Day 411. 71km. Lalela – Binagua

Posted: July 9, 2016 in Cycling, Indonesia
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‘Look! Dolphins!’
Cycling in the evening light, the road was flat along grassy plains next to the beach, and, there they were – 10 metres off shore – lots and lots of dolphins.

Our camping spot

Our camping spot

This morning I woke to the sound of the monks singing. They sing all the time, even just walking through the mission. Happy people. I even ventured into the church service this morning. The church is immaculate as are the whole church grounds – such a stark contrast to the village outside. The wealth of the church and the religious life must be very attractive. The young students seem happy – their passion for religion makes them happy, which makes me happy. Such passion has brought the church, and help for the local people into these remote places. The passion has also brought Christianity.

Today Clement asked me what I ate in Iran. Like with faces and with clothes, I only remember if I like something or not – if it was tasty or not. He was shocked at my lack of memory of this – for him a very important part of life. He has told about a Swiss cycling companion he had, and how they spent hours reminiscing what they ate in great detail. For me, I remember different things. I guess this may shock lots of cyclists, as eating is an important part of the cycling experience for many. I spent the afternoon thinking about this – is this strange? I have never liked cooking, and when at home by myself, I usually went to minimum effort to make something I wouldn’t offer to anyone else (like toast and marmite). I don’t know – I was happy enough.

We decided to camp near the dolphins today, and I have put up the hammock on the beach between two trees. Dinner was bread and tuna, and a desert of a brilliant starry sky with two shooting stars.

Sunset

Sunset