R&R in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

The President of East Timor yesterday declared a State of Crisis (read: Emergency) for 30 days. As such, AVIs insurers will not send us back until the State of Crisis is lifted. Thus we were faced with the dilemma of whether to return to a wintry Melbourne or wait things out here in Tropical North Queensland. We've elected to do the latter. In early July, we will have a better picture of whether it will be feasible for one or both of us to return to Dili.

As you might expect, we're both shattered. We're very much in need of some R&R and have decided to bring forward our four weeks annual leave by a couple of weeks. (We were due to leave for a two week break in Bali this month followed by two weeks exploring East Timor.) So for the remainder of June we will travel to Magnetic and Hichenbrook Islands, Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands and the World Heritage Area of the Daintree Rain Forest. We've never visited this part of Australia before so we thought we might as well take advantage of the fact that our evacuation flight landed in Townsville.

I have continued to update the blog about the situation in Timor, mostly with news from reputable sources. However, it is doubtful that I will be able to keep this up while travelling.

Here's to a speedy and peaceful resolution in Timor.

Category: Timor-Leste (East Timor)