MAF & Story Telling Tuesday 1 July

By Zara & Devyani

We began the day at 7:00am with a delightful breakfast ready for us, an opportunity for everyone to get together and discuss the day ahead. We had to be fully packed for the lengthy journey back to Dili by 9:30am, which was easier for some more than others due to organising the night before. 

As 9:30 struck we gathered in the common area with our rooms clean. Once all the exciting chatter about the MAF planes dimmed down, the first two groups of 4 students was driven to the runway.

As the other 3 groups waited for the planes to return to Atauro, we shared singalongs on the ukulele and ball games on the sand. The  MAF planes flew below the clouds allowing us to experience Atauro from above, with an ocean view where some lucky groups spotted whales.

Hour by hour as the planes arrived the first 4 groups walked down to a local café and supermarket for lunch, while the fifth and final group was boarding the plane.

Lunch at the café was a choose your own where partners split $10 to get a meal of their own. After a filling lunch they went to a homemade craft shop down the road, where many bracelets were purchased. 

When the first four groups arrived back at the hotel they were greeted by the last four students excited to hear their stories. Shortly after everyone was together at the plaza hotel we got the chance to relax, with card games and colouring in at our friends rooms, before dinner at 7:00pm. 

After dinner was finished and everyone was excited to head back to their rooms and get ready for the day ahead, we were informed about the early start we had the day ahead. We were all ready for the many activities prepared for Dili making it an enjoyable end to the day!