Behind the back of Jesus

Jesus Backbeach behind Kristo Rae. 

As you arrive into the Dili you are greeted by these steep green hills charging down to the coast line. Out the window of the plane it seems the city is surrounded by amazing beaches but it's kind of lost once you get to the National Airport you see huge Russian UN helicopters parked on the tarmac, then in the streets white UN Prado’s speed around and the UNPOL (UN Police which are composed of Australians, Turkish, Nepalese, Egyptians, Mayasian...) seem to be everywhere. Everyone, locals and expats alike seem to be working for an NGO or the UN; this makes Dili a very cosmopolitan place compared to other Indonesian cities in the region... the Portuguese wine selection is huge but I'm yet to figure out what is quality.

It looks like an Indonesian city, and after 25 years of occupation and having such a close neighbour it’s not surprising, but it really is different. I guess Pontinak would be kind off similar in size... the roads are terrible, traffic annoying, footpaths unpredictable and drainage limited. It’s when you get down to the people is when you start to notice the big difference to its large neighbour; less conservative and more progressive social attitudes...

Only behind the back of Jesus would someone be bold
enough to sport hot pink and mustard in a
striking J-pop pose.

Sample of the hills that line the back of Dili. Green now; but later... not so green. Maybe charcoal.

A statue of Jesus overlooks the Dili harbour and apparently faces towards Meca. The Indonesians were kind enough to build it so i guess they had the final say in which way J was facing. Behind Jesus is the real gem of Dili though... Jesus Backbeach. The hills are lush now as it's the end of the wet season, but once the dry kicks in apparently it all get's burnt back... stunning.