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Overview
Charming, beautiful and full of smiles, East Timor may not be
top of everyone's dream destination list, but it is certainly off
the beaten track, offering visitors a taste of something completely
different. With beautiful beaches, exotic forests and exciting
mountain trekking, the coral reefs and colonial towns are drawing
an increasing number of adventurous travellers each year.
Colonised by Portugal in the 16th century, declaring
independence in 1975, only to be invaded and occupied by Indonesia
nine days later and burdened by tragedy, it's been one bumpy ride
on East Timor's road to independence. The tourism infrastructure
isn't the most developed but it seems things in this troubled land
are slowly on the mend, and visitors are now able to enjoy a spot
of snorkelling, diving, hiking and exploration round the exotic
countryside.
One of East Timor's more famous landmarks is the Cristo
Rei, a 100-foot (30 metre) high statue of Jesus, believed to be
the second tallest such statue in the world, rivalled only by Rio
de Janeiro's Cristo Redentor. Beyond the capital of Dili
lies a mysteriously and intensely beautiful land where empty
beaches lead into dense tropical forest and mountains juxtapose the
water's edge.
Visitors to this exotic country should arm themselves with
mosquito prophylaxis and plenty of mosquito repellent, as malaria
is a problem in certain areas.
The best time to visit East Timor and experience its warm, clear
seas dotted with tropical fish, manta rays, turtles and sharks is
just after the wet season, from late April to July when the weather
is warm and the shore diving is at its exquisite best.