West Timor

Understand

There are many languages spoken in West Timor, depending on the area. One of the major languages is Dawan. Just like in independent East Timor, the dominant religion in West Timor is Roman Catholicism.

Getting there

By plane

The airport of the provincial capital Kupang, El Tari International Airport (KOE IATA), is connected by regular flights to major Indonesian cities including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Denpasar (Bali), as well as a range of destinations in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, including Labuan Bajo, Ende and Maumere (on the island Flores) and Waingapu (on the island of Sumba). There are also international flights to Dili, the capital of East Timor, by Air Timor.

By bus Since 2017 there are flights to Kupang from East Timor. However, many people still get from East to West Timor by taking the bus from Dili to Kupang, which takes about 12 hours. A short bus called Gemilang with about 30 passengers connects Dili, Timor Leste with Atambua. Passengers are picked up at home and disembark at the destination.

By boat National long distance passenger ships operated by PT.PELNI call at the port of Tenau, west of Kupang, about once a week. PELNI ships connect Tenau with ports in Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua.

Eat

As most Timorese are Roman Catholic, pork is fairly common in the local cuisine, and most local food stalls are not halal.

Jagung bose: a porridge made from ground corn, mixed with red bean and peanuts. Usually eaten with pork or dried fish. The local substitute for rice. Se'i babi: smoked pork. "Babi" means pork.