I'm off to East Timor for a couple of years and want to take a suitable quiver with me. I'll be hitting Indo a fair amount, but ill be based out of Dili.

I know there were a few Defence guys kiting there last time I pasted through, but never got to touch base. Fingers crossed one of you read this.......

If anyone has some tips regarding:

- Wind conditions
- Season - when do you all kite? all year or just during specific seasons?
- Gear the guys are using on the ground? I'm thinking of taking a 2012 12m Blade Trigger
- Localities to explore ?
- Anyone over there I can contact to get exact recommendations

Cheers in advance

... get in contact with Rachel the physio when you get there. Not sure how to contact her from here but I'm sure there aren't too many Rachel's who are physio's working for defence in East Timor!

If the winds anything like Darwin, organise big gear too ie bigger twin tip and 14/17m kite or if you only got 12m then you might just have to wait for the good stuff to come.

I heard rumours there are wicked waves on the south part of the island but this report was from a non kiting dive boat operator who said he's seen Sumbawa and looked the same???? Dunno, but you might be able to find out for us????

Another idea just came to me, contact Geoff at Funsupply funsupply.com.au/ , he used to fly there alot (air med pilot) and may have ideas too.

Good luck,

Robbie

You'll be right with a 12m. If its too windy for your 12m virtually all kite resellers will post something to you. I was camping in West Timor last May, just surfing not kiting and it blew its ass off the whole time. Lucky you, Timor is right in the 24hour/day trade winds. Its windy May-September 20knots.

Select to expand quote

NJPornstar said...

You'll be right with a 12m. If its too windy for your 12m virtually all kite resellers will post something to you. I was camping in West Timor last May, just surfing not kiting and it blew its ass off the whole time. Lucky you, Timor is right in the 24hour/day trade winds. Its windy May-September 20knots.

Hmmm. DKC . Are you thinking what i'm thinking ? N8 can you give any more info about Timor . Haven't been there.

Hey DKC, I probably wouldn't go East Timor with out a gun and a tank as back up
West is best. Fly to Kupang. Go for a beer at Lavalon and there will be a random dude (cant remember his name)who speaks pretty good english. He will hit you up big time to take you on tours to remote villages cause he knows the customs etc. He is good value. No body speaks english or good bahasa in regional areas. Think there are a couple hundred languages between the villages in Timor. Smile alot and carry beetle nut as back up cause they don't really use money either. Kupang night markets (everynight) are tastier than Parap markets. Lots of volcanic rocks and coral reef so take booties. Check out Rote island too for a bit more adventure.
Its all very remote so don't bother unless you are fully frothing and travelling light.

Mate, have a look on Google maps/earth. Just west of the airport in Dili is a good kiting spot. I was there recently and saw the occassional kite there and was spewing that I didnt have my own gear. Through the dry season the wind seemed to be awesome, 20kts easy in the afternoons and was cross onshore at that small bay west of the airport. That would be the closest place to Dili. Be prepared for local kids to go totally nuts when they see you launch. Aside from that, one of the nicest beaches there (that doesnt have rubbish and floaters) is the little bay immediately east of the Jesus statue. Im not sure how the wind would be there because it would be slightly sheltered but could be worth a look. Only 20 min drive (traffic dependant) from Dili centre. Atauro Island is also quite nice and could be gnarly for kiting. Once over there head to Barrys resort. If your super keen, the nicest spot in the country is all the way out to the east called Jaco Island. I have no idea how you would get there but I have heard there are random hippies in a commune out there so there must be some way of getting there. Watch out for crocs though and that goes for all places in Timor. Let us know how you go!

In the dry season you will get sea breezes 15-25 knots, 3-4 days per week.

Best place is between Port HERA and METINARO, east of MANATUTU river is good too, although watch out for the crocs.

BAUCAU is great and gets some nice wind and sometimes some waves. ATAURO works in any direction, get in contact with a guy called Barry and he will hook you up with accommodation and transport.

In the far east you have COM in LAUTEM, again theres a few nice hotels there and also further east JACO island which is an absolute paradise.

Your best bet is to hire a car from TIMOR LODGE on arrival and drive east, as mentioned above there is a spot just west of the airport called TACITOLU, I would probably kite away from DILI.

I disagree with NJPornstar, you are probably safer in East-Timor than you are on the streets of Melbourne.

You wouldn't want to cook a crook spaghetti ragu on Lygon street, bloody get shot