Timor Leste 2024 Trip A Blog

After a small ‘I can’t find my passport’ scare, we packed the troupies and walked down to the school for a flag ceremony and goodbye. The students lined up with our new friends from Hatolia to participate in the flag raising ceremony. It was something totally new to our students and they were in awe of the formality behind it all. We lined up to bid our sad farewell. Every student walked past to shake and kiss our hands and it wasn’t long before it started raining in Hatolia (Eddie’s words).

Gifts were shared, hugs given and Eddie pushed us out the gate to leave. The drive to Palaka was slow and bumpy and a short stop at the beach saw a few 'fall in' to cool down. We settled into our comfortable rooms, excited with air conditioning, flushing toilets and showers. After a short siesta we visited the Indonesian border and got the photo in front of the sign to prove it.

To finish the day we went to the beach and watched the sun set. The students paddled while the staff and Eddie were on crocodile watch. We are loving the fresh salad that is grown on site at Palaka, particularly the cucumber and tomato. It is diak los. The students enjoyed Eddie’s open air man shed where they could play music and talk without disturbing any of the adults. We are all sad that there are only two days left.