East Timor could practically be the definition of off-the-beaten-track.
It only gained independence in 2002, and gets just 60,000 tourists a year.
Hitch hiking up mountains: Climbing East Timor’s highest peak
By comparison, neighbouring Indonesia gets 10.4million.
I’ve just left East Timor (also known as Timor-Leste) after a whirlwind trip: I climbed a mountain, explored the capital, visited an island and did some snorkelling.
I fell in love with the place.
It’s a country that bears exploring.
Here’s why you should add it to your bucket list.
It’s got the novelty value of an unexplored destination
How many people do you know who have been to East Timor?
One of the best things about the country is that you have no bar for comparison: you don’t have dozens of friends who have visited, and whose pictures you have to better.
You don’t have to compromise on your coffee
For many people, good coffee is an essential part of the daily routine.
In East Timor, you don’t have to search to find it.
I’m not just talking the grainy, gritty stuff. I’m talking proper flat whites, here.
It’s total heaven.
Even the main attractions are undisturbed by crowds
Unlike other places in Southeast Asia, East Timor remains on the road less travelled.
So while you have to fight the crowds at any given waterfall or mountain peak elsewhere, in East Timor you’re likely to be the only foreigner there.
No more standing on tiptoes to get the perfect photo without the silhouettes of a hundred heads in front of you.
The snorkelling and diving are unrivalled
Crystal-clear waters and white sand make for some of the most spectacular views of marine wildlife in the world.
Think David Attenborough, think Blue Planet.
It’s so good that you actually want to hang your mouth open in wonder, except you can’t because you’ve got a snorkel in it.
Its crafts are unique
The famed tais of East Timor are different from any other handicrafts you will have seen before.
Something like a cross between Peruvian and Nepali styles, these works of art make a great addition to any home decor – and fab presents for your pals, too.
The locals are lovely
One of the perks of being a largely unvisited destination is that the people of East Timor haven’t learned to hate tourists yet.
And this shows – almost always you are met with a cheerful greeting of ‘Bom dia’ as you walk along the street.
The food is delicious, and they know how to make a good bread roll
An important aspect of any destination is its local cuisine; East Timor does not disappoint.
Fresh, spicy, and vegetable-heavy, Timorese food is delicious but won’t leave you with an overriding feeling of guilt after consumption.
And, a bonus for us British who love a crusty white loaf, they really do know how to make the perfect fluffy bread roll.
Tempted yet?
How to get there and where to stay
Return flights to Dili from London will set you back about £1,700, but a cheaper option would be to fly to Denpasar, Bali, from £397, then get a cheap return flight to Dili from there, starting from about £130.
Rooms in Dili’s basic but friendly backpackers’ hostel start from $10 a person ($15 including air con, which you will definitely appreciate), and include a very good breakfast.
For something a bit more upmarket, a double room at the Plaza Hotel is £54.
MORE : 6 amazing places in Indonesia that aren’t Bali
MORE : Can we please stop making travel a competition?
MORE : Learning the lingo and working on the move: here’s why travel can be fantastic for your CV
Share this with