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