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Southeast Asias Newest Nation East Timor

The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste,colonial towns, rugged mountains and a
commonly known as East Timor, is anlush interior, with Dili a taste of
island nation in Southeast Asia,Portugal in the tropics.
consisting of the eastern half of theThe countryside is magnificent. Houses
island of Timor, the nearby islands ofmade from bamboo and wood, with thatched
Atauro and Jaco, and Oecussi Ambeno.palm rooves, dot the whole of East
A political exclave of East TimorTimor. It is mountainous, surprisingly
situated on the western side of theso, yet the toughness of the mountains
island, surrounded by West Timor.give way to some of the most serene and
Formerly controlled by neighbouringpicture perfect beaches you are ever
Indonesia, which annexed it as alikely to see. The water so clean and
province in 1975, East Timor broke awayclear, show the pristine reefs available
in 1999 and achieved full independencedivers should be visiting in droves.
on May 20 2002. When East Timor joinedGo when the weather is best. East Timor
the United Nations in 2002, it decideddoesnt yet have a tourist season, so
to be officially referred to by itstheres no time of year when youre going
Portuguese name, Timor Leste, as opposedto be overrun by crowds. So go during
to its English name.the May to November dry season when
It is one of only two majority Romantheres little rainfall and youre assured
Catholic countries in Asia, the otherof good weather. By the end of the dry
being the Philippines.season, it can be rather dry and dusty.
The security situation in East TimorThe December to April wet season can be
remains uncertain. Violent protests havevery wet indeed, making travel
taken place in Dili and UN troops aredifficult, particularly if you get off
patrolling the streets. Travellersthe main routes where unsealed roads can
should exercise extreme caution, avoidbecome impassable and unabridged rivers
any protests or demonstrations and heeduncross able. The end of the wet season,
any local advice regarding safety. Thehowever, is the time for festivals.
border with West Timor has beenIf you are used to constant electricity,
temporarily shut travellers should checkplenty of accommodation and eating
news services before attempting to enteroptions, air conditioned coaches, having
East Timor.access to a can of coke when you need
Southeast Asias newest nation Eastforget it. This to me is the appeal of
Timor. Independence has brought mixedthis place, it is so untouched, so raw,
fortunes to this recovering conflictif this appeals to you than be sure to
zone and it remains a country invisit soon.
transition. But it has fine beaches,



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