Originally Posted by swingaling In October 2018, I contacted two tour operators for quotes on a half day tour of Dili, Timor Adventures (TA) and Eco Discovery Timor Leste (ED). Both companies provided quotes, but ED was 50% more expensive than TA. So I booked a tour with Timor Adventures (TA), sent a deposit and confirmed the tour. So far so good. A few days before my arrival, ED emailed me asking to confirm if we were still on for the tour. I found it strange, as I'd not booked anything with ED, so I ignored the emails.

I'd arranged for TA to meet me at the airport at 8:30AM. I arrived at DIL around 7:15AM, prepared to hang out for an hour waiting on my guide to show. Strangely, a guide was already there when I landed (printed sign with my name, the whole works). I figured that was my guide from TA, so off we went in his car. Note: he had no company insignia on his shirt, car, sign board, etc. Anyway, it was strange he was there so early, but I didn't give it much thought.

We're driving into town, and ten minutes later my phone rings. The guy calling tells me his name is Julio and he's my tour guide from TA; he's at the airport and looking for me. Hmmm, strange. So I ask the driver what tour company he's from and he tells me he's from Eco Discovery. Ok then. I asked the driver/guide to take me back to the airport because I'd already booked a tour with TA (and never booked anything with ED, just asked for a quote). He complied and dropped me at the airport without any issue.

Definitely not how I expected to start my visit in Dili.