Mambae la?

In Timor Leste, the common greeting is “Ba ne'ebé” (where are you going)?

In Ermera you will hear it in local language: Mambae la?

You’re expected to answer, giving people a topic to talk about. You'll quickly become the talk of the town for a day.

They say the mountain areas are supposed to be a cool escape, but for me, that promise seemed overrated.

The high altitude and constant wind didn’t bring relief; instead, they scattered the heat and dust, making the atmosphere feel restless and unyielding.

What stood out to me the most wasn’t just the weather— it was the sense of loneliness that permeated the place.

Ermera felt vast and quiet, with sparse signs of activity. I couldn’t help but wonder what life was like for the people who call it home.

Ermera Vila— town with its own unique character but not exactly brimming with tourist infrastructure. It's seems the kind of place where visitors need to come prepared and rely on local connections. The absence of guesthouses, hotels, or restaurants is adding to the raw, untouched vibe of the area.