| The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, | | | | taste of Portugal in the tropics. |
| commonly known as East Timor, is an island | | | | The countryside is magnificent. Houses made |
| nation in Southeast Asia, consisting of the eastern | | | | from bamboo and wood, with thatched palm |
| half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of | | | | rooves, dot the whole of East Timor. It is |
| Atauro and Jaco, and Oecussi Ambeno. | | | | mountainous, surprisingly so, yet the toughness of |
| A political exclave of East Timor situated on the | | | | the mountains give way to some of the most |
| western side of the island, surrounded by West | | | | serene and picture perfect beaches you are ever |
| Timor. Formerly controlled by neighbouring | | | | likely to see. The water so clean and clear, show |
| Indonesia, which annexed it as a province in 1975, | | | | the pristine reefs available divers should be visiting |
| East Timor broke away in 1999 and achieved full | | | | in droves. |
| independence on May 20 2002. When East Timor | | | | Go when the weather is best. East Timor doesnt |
| joined the United Nations in 2002, it decided to be | | | | yet have a tourist season, so theres no time of |
| officially referred to by its Portuguese name, | | | | year when youre going to be overrun by crowds. |
| Timor Leste, as opposed to its English name. | | | | So go during the May to November dry season |
| It is one of only two majority Roman Catholic | | | | when theres little rainfall and youre assured of |
| countries in Asia, the other being the Philippines. | | | | good weather. By the end of the dry season, it |
| The security situation in East Timor remains | | | | can be rather dry and dusty. The December to |
| uncertain. Violent protests have taken place in Dili | | | | April wet season can be very wet indeed, making |
| and UN troops are patrolling the streets. Travellers | | | | travel difficult, particularly if you get off the main |
| should exercise extreme caution, avoid any | | | | routes where unsealed roads can become |
| protests or demonstrations and heed any local | | | | impassable and unabridged rivers uncross able. |
| advice regarding safety. The border with West | | | | The end of the wet season, however, is the time |
| Timor has been temporarily shut travellers should | | | | for festivals. |
| check news services before attempting to enter | | | | If you are used to constant electricity, plenty of |
| East Timor. | | | | accommodation and eating options, air conditioned |
| Southeast Asias newest nation East Timor. | | | | coaches, having access to a can of coke when |
| Independence has brought mixed fortunes to this | | | | you need forget it. This to me is the appeal of |
| recovering conflict zone and it remains a country | | | | this place, it is so untouched, so raw, if this |
| in transition. But it has fine beaches, colonial towns, | | | | appeals to you than be sure to visit soon. |
| rugged mountains and a lush interior, with Dili a | | | | |