Tour De Timor

After a week of filming, cutting, crashing… the Tour De Timor 2010 is oficially over, but the post production of the Long Form doco “Gone Cyclin” has only just begun! With over 10 days of footage – it’s going to be an epic few weeks ahead.

But before I head back down to Melbourne to begin the edit – I’ll be making my way to Bali to collect and consolidate some more footage from another production team that was in Timor.

For now, while I wait patiently for the transcode  - here are some highlights of the trip:

The East Timorese put up a fantastic competition against the world champions! With limited funding, equipment, and training – they still managed to score a place in the Top 10 nearly every day! Everyone should be extremely proud.

A Politician, a President, a Prime Minister, an activist, a freedom fighter –  José Ramos-Horta was present throughout the event, to show his support to the participants. A passionate and devoted man – he should also be extremely proud of his people and country to be able to perform such an incredible feat.

A big thankyou to everyone at TIMOR AID – you’re work is invaluable. And ofcourse, a massive congratulations to the Gone Cyclin team – who managed to make it over the finish line after an INCREDIBLE week cycling over 400 kms through the timorese mountains! Amazing!

I would also love to thank my motorbike driver Toby from Timor – who managed to keep me on my bike while I was filming the team. We only crashed once! Well done!

Our visit to TIMOR AID (one more day before the race!)

The last three days have been stunning. I arrived in Timor, where I met Beth from TIMOR AID. Instead of staying at the hotel booked for me, we drove together 9 hours to the western boarder to one of the poorest villages in Timor; Suai.

The road was incredibly … well… using the term “road” is probably exaggerating. It was exciting – crossing rivers, rocks and over mountains… but I found it difficult to imagine the how anyone on this bike race was going to survive!!! It certainly got me very excited, now I can’t wait to see how it all pans out!!!

After some rice and local veggies, we had a night of well earned rest. (we arrived at about 9pm) The next day, we got up early to go and meet the local women working on Timor Aids “weaving” project. It was incredible! Using natural dyes, the women create beautiful cotton cloths (Tais). I caught some amazing footage, and got a few interviews in the local language of “Tetun”. Next week I will work with TIMOR AID to assist in the translations…

The children in the village, although in extreme poverty, were just so much fun!! They thought the big funny looking white girl was hilarious! I probably spent a bit too much time focusing on the kids – but who wouldn’t? They lit up my spirit! Especially one group of young girls, carrying heavy water for their family, who started to play “hide and seek” with me and laughing hysterically when I showed them their photos. They are the future of Timor; beautiful, prospering and at peace.

Then yesterday, team GONECYCLING arrived!!! I went to film them at the airport, and to my surprise, on the same flight, was none other than the President of Timor Himself! Mr José Ramos-Horta! COOL! It was a big decision whether to follow the president or my team – but in the end the Gonecyclin guys won out on priority. But don’t worry, next week we’re planning on shooting an interview with Jose ~ which will be incredible!!

Thanks to the awesome Media Coodinator for the Tour de Timor,  I was also invited to the Press Conference with President Jose ~ although I gave it a pass to go with the guys back to Timor Lodge!!

Now? It’s Sunday morning – Race starts tomorrow! It’s going to be EPIC! Can’t wait to start shooting. Met up with the main media coverage of the event from Jungle Run Productions (Ubud, Bali) – hoping to coordinate with them today to share some b-roll footage. NICE! Plan is to get some heli shots too, but we’ll see how we go.

@ 5.30 today I have the media briefing, which includes training with my motorbike and driver on how best to film the race and not die falling off!!! Should be really interesting! We’re even doing some rehersals with a few riders to show how it works on the bike. Wooo!

But for now! I’m heading outside to film a beautiful sunrise…. GOOD MORNING TIMOR!

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