20.07.08

The big kahuna

Posted in Events, Food & drink at 10:46 pm by Squatter

From time to time, you get big ships visiting here but few bigger than the hospital ship USNS Mercy.  It is parked off Dili for 2 weeks providing specialist medical services.  I believe it is concentrating on cleft palate operations on this its 3rd trip to Dili.  Hard to believe there is more medical grunt on that ship than the whole country put together.

On Wednesday at lunchtime, a supply ship provided entertainment by airlifting supplies by chopper to the Mercy.

It is also noticable that there seem to be more oil exploration ships passing through.  Maybe its just because I know what one looks like now.

Someone said to me recently, “there’s gotta be a market for dry cleaners here”.  Funny how you only start noticing signs advertising laundry services - at the Sands Motel and the new Sealion Laundry next to the new “Pinoy Grill” restaurant.  This may be a new incarnation of the Pinoy that existed in the old Fat Boys premises.  Its on Comorro Road between the heliport and the OZ Embassy.  And there is a new Vietnamese restaurant across the road.

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13.07.08

Flying here - update

Posted in How to get here ? at 11:16 am by Squatter

Fairly soon, AustAsia Airlines will be commencing flights from Singapore to Dili - 1 August, I believe*.  They have been offering opening specials at USD200 (+ taxes) each way for the 1st and 5th August flights, returning by 19 August.  This brings the number of incoming airlines to 3, flying from Darwin, Denpasar (Bali) and Singapore.

One can never really quote a fare as they seem to change all the time but I needed an update as I am fanging for a trip out real soon to recharge the shopping and eating batteries.

* FOS corrected my dates.

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10.07.08

Dili renovations

Posted in Culture/Society at 6:02 pm by Squatter

Some may have noticed renovations to the “Tais Market” in Colmera.  New roofing and walls plus a sign.  There are a few of those banners strung across the road at a few places promoting the new improved market - courtesy of USAid.

The future Presidential palace building next to the heliport is moving along, as is the new Chinese Embassy building on the seafront.  Perhaps something of more interest is the new 1st floor deck being built at Casa Minha thus providing another venue with views across the road to the sea.

The Aribu Beach Resort (near OceanView Hotel) remains in permanent building mode - one wonders when it will end.

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09.07.08

Mid-year budget update background info

Posted in Culture/Society, Getting around at 7:33 pm by Squatter

We all seem to know that there is an extra mid-year budget update process going on which at this stage represents a 122% increase in the budget allocation.  As always it is best to know your facts and Lao Hamutuk have kindly made some official documents plus some responses available on their web site.

Some days you just shouldn’t get out of bed.  I got sunburnt on Sunday and felt like a cooked prawn yesterday.  I had 3 bicycle flat tyres - (1) the original hole, (2) the faulty replacement inner tube and (3) my 1st repair to the original hole failed.  I am down to less than 10 minutes to do a tyre change now - something I have always aspired to !!!???

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04.07.08

For some, little gems

Posted in Food & drink at 5:44 pm by Squatter

If you follow that small lane on the left of Dili Beach Hotel and head towards Comorro Road, there is a little warung on your right a couple of hundred metres before Comorro Road.  Almost completely out of malae-land, looks quaint & promising.

On a similar quaint note, the little ice-cream shop across from Carla Mansions in Motael/Palopaso/whatever is no more.  Sad really.  I hope it is because he has moved somewhere else.

Had a nice lunch at Bangkok Spice 2 recently - not bad.  Similarly, the new Tuk Tuk (aka old Thai Jasmine) is doing fine down at Metiaut.  Me thinks the Thais have cracked the code here.

Also went to the photo exhibition across from the OZ Embassy.  Made me think that I have seen a lot of these things as well - just didn’t take the pictures !

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03.07.08

Cheese - the new luxury food

Posted in Food & drink at 7:51 am by Squatter

According to the IMF, inflation here in TL is predicted to be 9.0% for 2008 which is climbing even higher than the 6.7% for 2006 and 7.6% for 2007.   Cheese inflation feels like 100% over the last year or so.  In price, the humble cheese sandwich must be rivalling a few canapes with pate now.

Good for the arteries.

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29.06.08

Cultural events

Posted in Events at 10:28 am by Squatter

It may be a bit late but this weekend at the Mercado Lama building, there is a “Home and Garden Expo”.  I have been and if you are souvenir hunting, it is the place to go.  More than half the stalls are selling tais (from everywhere) and the woven grass products (from Maubara) and I would have thought all targeted at the malae market.

Yes, you can buy plants (as you can every Saturday morning across from Tiger Fuels anyway), hardware items and the odd bit of brick paving.  It feels exactly like the “buy Timorese” expo held at the same venue about a month ago.  If this were monthly and they had a bit of a coffee shop with the top shelf stuff and some bakery items, maybe a bit more furniture, I could imagine it extending into something quite worthwhile and enduring.  Freshly roasted coffee, freshly roasted peanuts, freshly toasted foccaccia  …

Over the next week, there is also a photographic exhibition across the road from the Australian Embassy by Gavin Cooper (closes 6 July).

This is the funniest thing I have heard for a long time.  You had to be there but imagine a group of people in jovial mood being told that one of their (malae) number had just failed their Timorese driving test.  There was that completely uncontrolled outburst of laughter that I have not heard for a very long time - many tears.  You had to be there.

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25.06.08

Jackie Chan and the frigate

Posted in Events at 8:03 am by Squatter

If you have nothing better to do, Jackie Chan (a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador) will be “interacting with youth” at the Dili Stadium from 4:30pm today.  And if you see a naval vessel down at the docks, it is a French frigate on its annual goodwill tour of the region.

Lots of goodwill today.  I bet the best restaurant in town is parked at the Dili port.

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23.06.08

Atul Khare on UN Police Drawdown

Posted in Culture/Society at 6:19 pm by Squatter

This is an interview by ABC’s News Hour with Atul Khare, the head of the UN here.  Dated 17 June 2008. Flashplayer required.

http://australianetwork.com/newshour/stories/m1598847.flv

Where would we be without the dedication of the UN ?

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22.06.08

Timor-Leste Crocs football

Posted in Entertainment, Recreation at 5:28 pm by Squatter

Recently, I was a little disturbed that I was not called on to offer my silky skills to the newly-formed “Timor-Leste Crocs” AFL football team *.  Obviously, the news of my dog bite and tree incident travels fast and they assumed I was on the injury list.  The Crocs went to Bali to play in the 2008 Bali Nines competition (because 9 players fit more easily into the much smaller soccer pitch playing area).

However, I have made myself available for the next match which is coming up soon I believe here in Dili.  My health insurance is paid up and I need a trip to Darwin anyway

I think the Crocs came 6th out of 9 teams and played against the elite of expat-based teams from Bali, Jakarta, Borneo, Dubai and a couple of others.  The boys were extremely complimentary towards the standard of playing surface in Bali.  It is a pity I don’t play too well on the bumpy surface likely here in Dili.  (This is called excuse forward planning.)

Watch out for this memorable game coming up soon.

* AFL means Australian Rules football.  Normally 18 players a side on thee ground at the one time.

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