The waterfront promenade along Dili's harbour is one of the liveliest spots in the city. Street vendors sell fresh coconut water and grilled corn, children play football on the grass, and fishermen mend their nets on the beach nearby. At sunset the sky turns brilliant shades of orange and pink over the water, and the whole city seems to come outside to enjoy it.
From the harbour you can see Atauro Island sitting on the horizon - it looks like a long blue shadow on the sea. Ferries make the crossing regularly, chugging back and forth across the deep, dark strait. Sometimes dolphins follow the boats, leaping alongside in the wake.
The harbour is where Dili wakes up in the morning. Fishermen bring in the night's catch before sunrise, and the fish market nearby fills quickly with buyers choosing fresh fish, squid and prawns. The sounds, colours and smells of the morning market are something visitors to Dili remember for a very long time.
Looking inland from the water you can see the green mountains that ring the city. Dili is sandwiched between the sea and the hills - it is one of the few capital cities in the world where you can go swimming in the ocean and hiking in the mountains all in the same day.