The island of Timor lies to the east of Sumna, and north west of Australia. It is an arid place, with a mountain range stretching across it, from end to end. Timor is divided into West Timor, which is part of Indonesia, and the independent state of East Timor. West Timor is a good jumping off point for the eastern Indonesian islands. Kupang, a busy, noisy city, is the capital of East Nusa Tenggara province. Beyond it, starkly beautiful, rugged countryside sweeps away, sprinkled with traditional villages of neat, beehave shaped, grass and bamboo nuts. Photo by: mikewhitton

While West Timor is, of course, Muslim, East Timor is about 90 per cent Christian, mainly Catholic, and churches, some well worth visiting, can be found across the whole island. Naturally however, pockets of animism still occur there. Photo by: N Takyo

Timor is ringed with unspoiled beaches, most of which are completely undeveloped. In the hills, maize, sweet potatoes and coffee are grown, while rubber, coconuts, tobacco and rice grow nearer the coast. The island has lots of potential: in time, East Timor will enjoy the financial benefits of having off- shore oil and gas fields, which are being developed with Australia and which are needed to rebuilt infrastructure and other war damage. Meanwhile, West Timor will no doubt see tourism increasing, now that hostilities are over. Photo by: Graham Crumb

When to go: The driest months are from May to November. Population: 2,220,000. How to get there: By air from Indonesia and Australia, or by sea from Indonesia. Photo by: yeowatzup