Timor is an island , which is devided among the two countries . West Timor is part of Indonesia and the East Timor is an independent country . East Timor get it’s independence in 2002 from Indonesia . I mainly traveled in the Indonesian part of timor . West timor tourism is mainly concentrated around the beautiful blue watered beaches , clear water cave and traditional villages around SOE . Capital of this region is Kupang and this place is very near to the Australian Peninsula .
How to reach West Timor ?
Timor is situated in the eastern corner of Indonesia . West timor can be reached by two ways – First by the help of water ways and Second by the help of the airlines . Main port of the entry in West Timor is Kupang , which is also the capital of the West Timor .
I reached here by the help of the Pelni Ship . I board this ship from the Makassar Sea port in Sulewasi . My ship name is Umsini and it takes two days to reach here from makassar . The journey was wonderful . First the ship crosses the wider sea in between the Makassar and the Flores island and then by Maumere and L Larantaka it finally reached to Kupang . In most of the journey our ship was very near to the flores island . Flores island is mostly mountainous and you can seen the beautiful scenery from the ship also . Near to the Larantaka you can see the volcanic mountain Ile Boleng . Our ship reached there around 9 pm in the night and fortunately , that day way full moon day . So view of the Ile Boleng from the ship was wonderful . In the mean time I meet some wonderful people .
There was a Muslim clergy , I meet in this journey . He said , he traveled lots of countries in the process of his profession and having a good chat with him. As you traveled in the ship you have v good chance to meet new people and build a relationship .
If you want to come to Kupang by the flight then you will get lots of flight from the city of Bali and Jakarta . Flight to this area is limited to only few cities . I heard a story of a man who traveled from the papua to Timor . But there is no direct flight from there so he flight toward Makassar and from there he traveled toward Timor by ship .
Beaches in West Timor :
There were lots of beaches in Kupang city . Color of the water in this beaches were deep blue and the water was crystal clear . Ketapang beach , Namosain beach , kelapa beach , Pasir Panjang beach , batu kelapa beach and Warna beach are some of the beaches in Kupang city . I don’t know the name of the beach but the beach from the pasir panjang toward oesapa is the most beautiful . There , you can find only the local people and in the beach there was coral reef . First time , I see some live snails and also some small shrimp in the water of the coral . In the beach there was no dirt . In the evening you can see the beautiful sunset from this beach . In the evening Local peoples were played football and volleyball in the beach and some kids were making fishing trap to catch fish . Some vendors were selling the sticky rice and fried corn in the beach . you can really enjoy the calmness of the beaches .
Pasir Panjang Fish Market:
Fish Market in Pasir Panjang is really something you should not miss if you come to Kupang. Mostly , in the evening , this market starts . I was amazed by seeing the variety and sizes of the fishes , crabs and snails in this market . This market is just beside the sea beach , so fishes are very fresh . People are very friendly in this area . I make a video and they tell me the names of the lots of fishes .
Clear Water cave :
Clear water cave is another tourist attraction in Kupang city of West Timor . This place is situated near to the Pelabuhan Ferry Bolok (ASDP ferry terminal) . This is just a cave , under which , there is a pool of crystal clear blue water . I did not went up to the base as the way is little difficult to reach . This are hard rock and very slippery . It looks like a private property and a local people operate this place . There was just a small tin door to enter in the property . I meet some local children who show me this cave .
Price of the ticket : Entry Price of the ticket is 5000 IDR .
After visiting clean water cave I take lunch in a local restaurant . The item was just fish and rice . I must say fishes are most tasty in this parts of the world . Being a bengali , still I am not fond of the Fish . But I end up ordering three fish here . Fishes are such tasty here .
People in Kupang are looks different than the normal Indonesian . People mostly are the catholic christian . When you visited this part of the Indonesia immigration officer will interview or contact you .
Fatumnasi(A Traditional village ):
Fatumnasi Is a traditional village situated near to the SOE town . SOE is situated 100 km from the Kupang city . Minibuses and some local transport goes this way . From the kupang city it takes almost 2hour and 30 minutes to reach SOE . From SOE you have to hire a bike to reach Fatumnasi . I hire a Gojek motorbike . It costs me 150000 IDR . I started my motorcycle trip from SOE around 12:00 pm . First I take my lunch here in a restaurant near to the bus stand .After finishing the lunch we started the journey . It takes almost an hour to reach to the Fatumnasi village . The scenary was very beautiful . As you passes toward the Fatumnasi temperature becomes more cold as you also more altitude . In the middle of the way , just near to the Fatumnasi village there is a view point . From this place you can have a clear view of the near by landscape and the Fatumnasi village . Fatumnasi village is just 5 km from here But the road condition was not good from here . After sometime the tarmac road also ends .
First we reached a parking space , there was a local shop , from here we learned that the King of the Fatumnasi lives near to this place . They have some specific traditional houses which were used for the Dormetory for the tourist . Then we back track in the same road toward , that place . In the whole fenced area first , there is a big house which was the guest room of Matius Anin (Who is the last king in the village of Fatumnasi ) . After that comes, his own room .
I must say that the room of the king was very small and dirty . Actually the door of the traditional houses were very small and there was no window . Inside this room in one corner the king stays in his bed . Inside this small room there was lots of wooden masks and some musical instruments . There was lots of Pegions inside the room . He said that in the morning this pigeons fly outside and comeback in the afternoon . Inside the room there was lots of cooked corn hanged from the roof . He said that in the winter months they eat this half cooked corn .
I must say that the king was really a good person and he welcomed me whole hearty . He also invited me to see his dormitory rooms in the other quarters . He said that in the older days king have some real power but after independence of Indonesia he is just the village chief . Some foreigners come here , to know about the tribal life in Fatumnasi . His name is mentioned in the travel book of Lonely planet – Indoesia edition .
In the way back , I meet some of the group who were dancing Giring Giring . Giring Giring is a traditional dance in the Fatumnasi village where traditional music was played by some local instruments . In this dance performance they tied up the bells in the leg and then they dance with the music . Someone invited me in this dance performance and also I joined them in this performances . This is just like a village dance .
After this , My ojek driver invited me in his home for tea . In his house I meet his wife and his daughter and son and some local kids . He also show some herbal plants inside his house . His house was a smaller one with tin shaded . People of Timor are very welcoming and mostly christian .
Summary :
Timor is situated in the farthest east part of Indonesia , very near to the Island of Australia . Fish in part of the world is most tasty . This place have some beautiful beaches , crystal clear blue watered caves and some traditional village with very very small lowered door and King . King of the village of fatumnasi is very polite and very hospitable . He invited me to see his village .
