Final report of the trip in East Timor

History:
The history of East Timor merges with that of Indonesia up to its independence in 2002.

I Origins:
-- Before 1500 AD little facts are known,
-- From 7th to the 13th Chinese and Javanese tradesmen established settles on the coasts of the Timor Island,
-- As of 1509 Portuguese vessels visited the country,
-- In 1556 Dominican Portuguese converted the autochthones by establishing a mission in Lifau,
-- In 1642 Francisco Fernandes carried out a military expedition to weaken the King of Timor,
-- In 1653 a Portuguese governor settled in Lifau,
-- In 1759 the Dutchmen unloaded in Kupang and occupied the west of Timor,
-- In 1859 the Treaty of Lisbon divided the island in two parts, the west to the Dutchmen and is to the Portuguese.

-- During WWII Timor Island was occupied by Japanese but the Australian stopped their expansion,

-- After WWII East Timor became again Portuguese,
-- After the coup in 24/04/1974 Portugal gave up its colonial empire,
-- The 28/11/1975 the Democratic Union of Timor proclaimed independence,
-- The 07/12/1975 the Indonesian army unloaded in Kupang and occupied during 24 years East Timor,

-- In 1998 President Habibie of Indonesia announced a referendum,
-- 30/08/1999 more than 78% of voters chose Independence,
-- The 20/09/1999 Interfet, International Forces in East Timor, unloaded and quickly controlled violence,
-- After three years of management by Untaet, Transitional Administration in East Timor, the economic activity developed,
-- May 20, 2002 the independence of East Timor was proclaimed under the aegis of UNO.

II Facts:
East Timor extends on 15000 km² in the east part of Timor including the islands of Aturo and Jaco as well as the enclave of Oecussi in Indonesian West Timor.
-- Population is lower than one million made up of several ethnos groups whose main one is Tetun with 250000 people then seven other ethnos groups.
-- Portuguese and Tetun are the official languages of East Timor,
-- 90% of the population are catholic,
-- US dollar is the official currency.
But also:
-- The poverty of the sandstone ground and the scarcity of rains make agriculture problematic,
-- The culture of Arabica coffee developed by the Portuguese began again during the management of Untaet,
-- Oil and gas resources would be abundant but there is a dispute with Australia to fix the maritime border. This dispute came to an end at the date of my stay.
-- May 20, 2002 independence of East Timor was proclaimed under the aegis of UN.

GPS tracklog of the trip in Timor Leste

I Team:
No change, MAN truck and its Guy driver.
II Journey:
This trip would have to last a few days to clean my truck to satisfy the AQIS. Alas a inappropriate cold following the difference in temperature between the day and the night had unforeseen consequences. Indeed the embassy of Australia required X-ray with visas of my passport, in particular Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, with my request for a twelve month visa and with my seventieth birthday during this stay. Of course the beginning of cold was visible on my X-ray and the doctor announced it to the embassy which sent the document to Australia for decision, time three to four weeks!
2.1 the trip:
The visit of the east of the Timor island was reduced to an escapade to the beach of Wataboo before giving my truck to A1 Services. Consequently the truck was not to run any more.
2.2 The road network:
The coastal road is asphalted but in bad shape.
2.3 Timor Leste drivers:
The behaviour of the local driver is free from any reproach.
2.4 The insurance of the vehicle:
I did not have insurance. The carnet de passage en douane is accepted.
III bivouacs:
There are relatively easy accesses to the coastal beaches. The menu Campsite-position gives waypoints of all my bivouacs as well as mileage between each stage.
IV Supply of food:
Supermarkets exist in Dili where the UN members are met.
V Fluids:
Fuels are provided by Pertamina.
VI Money:
The national currency is the US$ putting the life expensive consequence of the presence of UN. In Dili, US$ run with flood. But in the back country it is the barter economy, peasants never saw a dollar. Information page gives some costs as an indication.
VII Guides:
I had Lonely Planet Lp.
VIII Passport, visa, border crossing:
One of the characteristics of the countries of the South-East Asia, except Vietnam, is obtaining a VOA, visa one arrival, of which the duration is 30 days in Timor Leste which can be the subject of two thirty day extensions. The crossing of frontiers is reported to see Information page.
IX My appreciation:
9.1 I liked:
-- The welcome of the population is courteous and benevolent.
9.2 I hated:
-- The high cost of living.  
X Relevance of the voyage by motor home:
Any campervan can travel in Timor Leste, no special equipment is necessary.

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