East Timor is a country in Southeast Asia. It lies northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago. East Timor includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the small islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco.
The half island of East Timor is a former Portuguese colony that declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975. Nine days later, Indonesian forces invaded and occupied the former colony, without incurring the disapproval of the United States and Australia. By July 1976 the colony had been annexed as the province of Timor Timur.
Over the next two decades, Indonesia integrated the colony, with many significant positions of authority being occupied by Indonesians, rather than the Timorese. An estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals are believed to have lost their lives during a campaign of pacification during this time.
The United Nations supervised a popular referendum on 30 August 1999, in which the people of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. After the results were announced, gangs of independence opponents, supported by the Indonesian military, terrorised the population in a civil war that destroyed much of the country's infrastructure. A United Nations peacekeeping force, led by Australian forces was sent in to re-establish a civil society and reconstruct the nation.
On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state and the world's newest democracy under the official name of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste.
HOW TO REACH
Visas - See - Immigration Department of Timor Leste
A 30 day travel permit is available to foreign nationals for US$30 on arrival. This permit can be extended after arrival allowing a total stay of 90 days. Portuguese passport holders do not need a visa for short stay entry (max 90 days).
By air - Dili International Airport (DIL) is served by flights from Darwin, Australia on AirNorth and Bali (Denpasar), Indonesia on Merpati Nusantara Airlines. AustAsia Airlines also offers weekly charters on Silkair aircrafts from Singapore. Flights are not scheduled every day so check schedules when making travel plans. Flights occasionally fill weeks in advance so plan accordingly.
By land - The main land border crossing with Indonesia is at Mota'ain (or Motain), 115km west of Dili. The nearest East Timorese town is Batugade, 3km to 4km away. The nearest Indonesian town of consequence is the West Timorese town of Atambua.
For those arriving from Indonesia, East Timorese visas are issued on arrival.
However, for those going the other direction, Indonesian visas must be obtained beforehand as they are not issued at the border. Getting a visa at the Indonesian Embassy in Dili is possible; it takes one week to issue a 60 day tourist visa (return flight not needed!) and it costs US$35.
By bus - Cross-border buses - There is a direct bus service daily between Dili and Kupang in West Timor, Indonesia. Operated by Timor Travels and Leste Oeste Travel. Journey takes 12 hours.
Non-direct buses - From Dili, catch a bus to the border (US$3, three hours). Once you get off the bus, go through East Timorese customs and immigration, walk across the border into Indonesia, go through Indonesian immigration and catch another bus for your onward journey to Atambua or Kupang.
From Atambua, regular mikrolets (vans) or ojeks (motorcycle taxis) run to the border at Mota'ain.
By boat - Indonesia's Pelni ships no longer serve Dili. There is a weekly barge service from Darwin for vehicles and goods.
STAY SAFE
Timor-Leste continues to face sporadic internal ethnic & political tension and related violence may occur. This may not be targeted at foreigners or tourists, but follow the guidelines below. During periods where this is not an issue, remember you are travelling in a poor country, and crimes such as assault and theft do occur:
Avoid large gatherings
Don't go around Dili at night on foot, especially alone.
Be careful around the refugee camps
Be careful getting into taxis at night or those with darkened windows - they may already have someone in them in addition to the driver
CITIES
