Timor Leste: North Coast Road to Baucau

The picturesque road running from Dili along the northern coastline to the old colonial town of Baucau and beyond may not be in the best condition, but the scenery along it is stunning. On the ocean side – it’s one spectacular bay after another with azure waters and coral reefs just steps away from shore ( the reef is pristine here and the water is absolutely clear). On the land side – there are misty mountains preceded by rice fields and terraces with grazing water buffaloes. There are several small towns along the way, including Laleia with a beautiful pink Portuguese colonial church and another snow-white one at Manatuto. (At times it feels you are traveling through European countryside and not in some place near Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea)