When I first saw Jesus Backside Beach, the first thing that cross my mind was this must be what Alex Garland was referring to when he write the novel “The Beach”.
We all knew where “The Beach” was and like many others I went there on the hopes that I will feel that sense of enthrallment. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful alright but the number of ferryboats disembarking tourists every five minutes was a huge distraction to appreciate what supposed to be a paradise.
Jesus Backside Beach is my piece of paradise in the kingdom of Dili. If you ask me, it was the embodiment of everything what a beach is supposed to be.
“Pasar Putih” is what the locals usually refer to what the international community called as the Jesus Backside Beach. The former attributing to the white sand and the latter referring to the position of the beach against the 88.6 foot statue of Jesus(Cristo Rei).
The beach is free and open for anyone. You don’t need to book a tour or pay for anything; you go there and enjoy its untamed beauty.
The surrounding mountains highlighted by sneaking sun behind the eruption of clouds, the endless green-blue ocean water, the pieces of tree trunks and branches offering a contrasting beauty against the white sand- this has to be the most amazing place in the whole of Dili.
There are no toilets, lifeguard station or snack shops in the area. You swim at your own risk and bring with you everything you need.
No tents or beds for rent. You’re best option for shelter is to sit under the trees.
There are no sellers offering you snacks or beaded jewelleries, you lie down at the sand, stare at the sky and just rest peacefully.
No distracting noise from zooming motorcycles or someone playing loud music, it was as quite as what nature is supposed to be.
You can literally count the number of people spending a weekend afternoon at the backside beach.
The fact that it takes a few minutes drive for those with cars that can navigate a rough road or requires a short hike up and down station XIV of Cristo Rei for those who don’t have one, makes it the ultimate and far worthy alternative to the usually crowded Cape Fatucama and Areia Branca.
The only additions to the usual small crowd at Jesus Backside Beach are the company sponsored outings or diving lessons offered by travel agents in Dili.
Like any paradise, there is always a bad side. Be warned there are several reports of looting in the area. The drinking plastic bottles not properly disposed will soon accumulate in numbers and poise to be a major problem if the visitors will not be responsible on pocketing their own trash back home.
“You fish, swim, eat, laze around, and everyone’s so friendly. It’s such simple stuff, but… If i could stop the world and restart life, put the clock back, i think I’d restart it like this. For everyone.” – Alex Garland
True Mr. Garland, very true.
life to reset 
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