Having worked for over 30 years in community services and education in Melbourne, Dave and Shirley Carlos began their association with Timor-Leste in the late 1990s through supporting Timorese people living in Melbourne as refugees. They began visiting Timor-Leste in 2007 and started Timor Adventures as a way to improve economic development in the districts of Timor-Leste. With an in-depth knowledge of the capital, Dave is happy to share his insider tips for anyone planning a visit to Dili.
Best coffee
Letefoho coffee shop; it is just down the road from my office, so I tend to spend more time there than I should. It is on the waterfront and the coffee is great, so are the banana bread, Portuguese tarts and sweet potato bread.
Best cocktail
Go to the restaurant at the Timor Plaza on the 5th floor. Great view and great cocktails.
Best breakfast
The Caz Bar (run by Caz) makes a great banana pancake, or try its cooked breakfast and coffee on the beach. The Caz Bar is at Areia Branca and if you go midweek, you will have the beach to yourself.
Best local view
Cristo Rei, the Jesus statue, has a great view. Go early in the morning while it is cool and take some water because there are a lot of steps, but the view is worth the climb.
One fun thing you can do for free
Well, it’s not for free but it is pretty cheap: jump on a Microlet and ride around Dili. Microlets are the local buses and they cost 50 centavos (50 cents) for a ride.
Something only a local knows about
The former president of Timor-Leste and Nobel laureate José Ramos–Horta has a collection of unusual small cars. He has a restored original mini Moke, a stretch mini Moke (an extra set of seats in the back) and an old VW sedan, and often tours the country in his beach buggy.
Favourite thing to do in and around the city/region/town
I love live music and there is a lot of it here: Esplanada on a Tuesday and Thursday, Ocean View on a Sunday, Castaway Bar on a Friday, Timor Plaza restaurant on a Friday and Saturday and Nautilus on a Friday. There are also several music festivals throughout the year.
Why do you love this town?
I am so lucky to be in this country at this time. It gained independence after a 24-year struggle and it has been a new nation for 13 years. It, finally, has peace and stability, and growth and change are occurring alongside traditional ways of living.
