The party gets ready for the Pilgrimage in the Leeuwin Care vehicle.
Note the petrol in plastic jerry cans,
There are no petrol stations or petrol pumps left working in East
Timor.
The first stop on the pilgrimage is the Santa Cruz Cemetery,
where 300 people were killed in October 1991
Then to the house of Bishop Belo.
Typical of the wide spread destruction that took place
after the independence vote.
Another part of the house of Bishop Belo.
The next stop was a visit to the large statue of Christ,
which overlooks Dili harbour
Travelling to Letefoho in the 4 WD provided by Leeuwin Care.
The vehicle travels extensively to distribute aid directly to local
communities.
Mt Ramelau (2964m), the highest point in East Timor is visible from
Letefoho.
Ramelau, The Mountain of the Resistance, it is a place of special
significance
to the Falintil and to all East Timorese.
The early morning markets at Letefoho, the nearest town to Mt Ramelau.
Letefoho means "Mountain Top"
It is one of the places where Notre Dame students will offer English
classes
The vast church at Letefoho is being built by local volunteer labour.
Mass at Letefoho is regularly attended by 2000 people.
Mt Ramelau is shrouded in mist as the party approaches.
The guides that will lead the party to the top of Mt Ramelau.
They know the area well, having lived here as members of the Falintil
resistance.
The group appraches the mountain across terrain defoliated to reduce
cover for Falintil.
Mt Ramelau is shrouded in mist on the left of the photo.
At last, the summit is reached and John, a Leeuwin Care worker,
shows the party where they have come.
The students take in the view from East Timor's highest point.
The party endured a very cold night sleeping out at the peak of Mt
Ramelau.
The dawn was a welcome sight.
An early morning mass was celebrated on the windswept peak.
The descent began and with it began the journey to work on the various
aid projects.
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