Pasar Seribu

Pasar Seribu is just 13 kilometres from Kupang on the road to Soe. Here fruit and vegetables are placed in piles worth Rp1000. There are water melons, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, bananas, mandarins and pawpaw.

Memorial At Oesau

Thirty kilometres along the road to Soe is Oesau village.  On a small hill under the shade of large trees is a memorial to the Australian soldiers of Sparrow Force and local Timorese who died together on Timor in 1942 fighting the Japanese.  The Australian’s graves have been relocated to Ambon.

Noelmina River

About 33 kilometres from Soe is the Noelmina River.  To cross this wide, sandy, rambling river there is a long bridge. At the Soe end of the bridge is a police post Pos Polisi. Everyone travelling towards Kupang is stopped. The Police are searching for sandalwood. The check is done, because there exists an illegal trade in sandalwood. All sandalwood trees are owned by the government. Even if you plant one yourself, it automatically belongs to the government. Local people are not able to trade in sandalwood unless they have authorisation. We noticed once as we came through in a taxi that there was no check.... perhaps carrying tourists helps. The taxi driver was carrying sandalwood as well! This check point is also the border for the Regency of South Central Timor / Kabupaten Timor Tengah Selatan.

Sandalwood is a native aromatic wood. For centuries the wood has been used for all manner of goods. Artists use it to create beautiful smelling carvings including fans, pens and religious items. Pulped sandalwood is made into oil. This is used directly or it is sold overseas to perfume manufacturers.

Camplong

Camplong is a beautiful lush, green, village set in the hills. There is a market there every Saturday morning.  Camplong has two interesting places to stop at on the way to Soe. Firstly, right on the highway is the Camplong Tourist Park (Taman Wisata Camplong). For a small entrance fee, one can swim with the locals at a shallow fresh water spring cemented in to make a pool. In cages there is one young Komodo dragon, a huge rock python and a sadly neglected small crocodile. 

At the rear of the park are a few caves with historical significance. They were used by Timorese  in prehistoric times. During World War 2 Japanese soldiers hid in them. At the end of the war they were still there, not realising the war had finished. Its a pity the caves seem to be somewhat vandalised with writing and carving.

The Deer Park

Across the road from the pool and down a dirt track there is the Deer Park (Taman Rusa).  Taking with you some corn from the market, you may be able to feed the deer kept here. Sometimes they can even be patted.

Taman Rusa has been set up to protect and breed local deer. Over the years local hunters have put too much pressure on the remaining small population of wild deer. They were in danger of becoming extinct. The Park staff report that poachers occasionally steal deer from the park.

The Long Winding Road

From Camplong the road becomes much steeper and hopefully the crowded buses become slower. The road twists and turns. Remember: if you suffer from motion sickness ask to sit in the front seat!  You may wish to be wise like some locals and take a small plastic bag or two for the trip!

You know when you have nearly arrived in Soe because along the side of the road are small thatched warung (road-side stalls). They will be selling local fresh produce, which depending on the season, could include mandarins, pumpkins, chokos, lemons, and pomelos. Not only that, the air is noticeably cooler than in Kupang. In fact at night it’s cold.

Questions/ activities

1. Play bingo with the different Indonesian words for the fruit and vegetables. 2. Draw a chart of the fruit and label in Indonesian. 3. What is sandalwood? What is it used for?  4. Trace the road from Kupang to Soe on a map. 5. What would be an appropriate punishment for vandalism? 6. How would you protect the Japanese caves from vandals?

Extra Activities, Comprehension, Discussion and Research Questions

1. Make a scale model of Timor using atlases and topographic maps.

2. Grow cassava and sweet potato as a class project (it takes 3-6 months for a crop)

3. How far is Pasar Seribu from Kupang?

4. Why is it called Pasar Seribu?

5. What does the memorial at Oesau village commemorate?

6. Why are vehicles checked by police at the Noelmina river crossing?

7. List several uses of sandalwood.

8. What two attractions are at Camplong?

9. How do some react to the curvy mountainous road to Soe?

10. List two items of produce available near Soe.

11. What aromatic trees are found in Australia? What are they used for? (eg Tea tree).

12. What is pomelo? What other exotic fruits are grown in your area? Find URLs for these.

13. What kind of deer are farmed in your area? Go and visit them.