Korean Job Discussion Forums

[julian_w]

www.tourdetimor.com

The TOUR DE TIMOR August 23-28 2009

President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr. Jos� Ramos-Horta recently announced the inaugural Tour de Timor bicycle race, which will run from August 24th to 28th 2009. The event is a unique 5 day 350km mountain-bike road-race, which has a lucrative prize pool of USD$50,000, offers free registration and entry for participants and will have significant regional and international press coverage.

The Tour de Timor will be an unparalleled means for participants and supporters to experience Timor-Leste, travelling through 9 of Timor-Leste�s 13 Districts in just 5 days, with 4 nights in and amongst traditional villages of Timor-Leste. President Ramos-Horta welcomes all participants and supporters to utilise the Tour de Timor as an opportunity to showcase the wondrous beauty of Timor-Leste as well as contribute alongside the President and people of Timor-Leste in making the capital Dili a �City of Peace� in 2009.

The first of what will be an annual event, Tour de Timor is being billed as a major sporting challenge but one delivered in the spirit of international peace. As President Ramos-Horta described it, �We Timorese have had the benefit of extraordinary international support for our commitment to the creation of a democratic, inclusive, and harmonious society.

"As we move towards achieving that goal, it is fitting that we celebrate our potential with friends and neighbours from across Timor-Leste and from overseas. Tour de Timor will bring people together in a spirit of friendly competition, where ultimately everyone�s a winner�.

President Ramos-Horta has announced that the overall first prize will be worth USD$15,000, with the overall prize money summing USD$50,000. Generous prizes will be given to teams and individual placing with additional prizes for the first female, junior and masters entrant. Food, water, accommodation and internal transport is being provided for free to competitors from 23 - 29 August 2009.

All information regarding the race and registration can be found at the race website www.tourdetimor.com and race organizers can be contacted directly at [email protected]

[julian_w]

Anyone interested in making up numbers for a team of four?

My only proviso is that I have to be back to work on the first Monday of September, and flights in and out from Dhili to Darwin (and thence to Incheon) may be a bit tricky.

I'll post more here when I know what the situation is. Meantime, any expressions of interest are welcome, either here, PM me, or go to the official site to organise yourself.

Wow, it should be a fantastic trip!

[manlyboy]

Damn! IIRC over the last few years Timor has had one presidential assassination, murders of UN workers, militia attacks, malaria and even leprosy.
Seriously, the lawlessness of Timor Leste makes Russia look like a gated retirement community. A bike ride through the countryside no less?! If they can put several bullets into the President downtown in the "city of peace", what chances do their security forces have of protecting bike riders out in the bush? What's next, the tour de Auschwitz?

[nero]

[manlyboy]

I couldn't disagree more. Hell, the very large Timor Leste community here in Darwin couldn't disagree with you more seeing as how a great many of them started out here on refugee visas fleeing the violence. I've been there seven times myself, and based on your opinion I can't believe you've been anywhere near the highlands and off the privileged white tourist track for any major length of time. Do you know the tribes up there are still known to take heads during their internicine wars? Or that armed anti-government militias are still roaming the place? Look at a history book and you'll see that the East Timorese have been up to their necks in violence since day one - all the way back to the Portuguese and probably even before then. West Timorese people don't even set foot on that side of the island. Now I'm not saying that anyone who wants to do the cycling thing will be targeted by gunmen (although petty thieves are a near certainty), but I am saying that the country is virtually lawless, and that if trouble does strike, their "security forces" will be powerless to help.