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