Asian And South Pacific Gay And Lesbian Destinations

When is the best time for gays and lesbians to travel to Asia and South Pacific?

If you're going to go to Asia and the South Pacific, again, you really need to be country specific and look at those seasons. You don't want to go during the monsoon season. It's just not the time to be out active. I think it's going to be country specific. If you're coming from a colder climate in the U.S., you're probably going to go in the winter anyway ... January, February, March ... those are peak season times to go, but it's a great time to get away from here.

What are popular gay and lesbian destinations in Japan?

Japan has traditionally not been a very gay specific destination. Tokyo had it's first bright festival about five or six years ago, and started off very small. The challenge with Japan is that you're going to be safe, you're going to have a good time but it's not necessarily a gay or lesbian specific destination. If you're going to go to Japan, you want to get out into the country side. Stay in a beautiful little tea house out in the green valleys - it's going to be a better value and you are going to enjoy it more than necessarily Tokyo or Osaka.

What are popular gay and lesbian destinations in New Zealand?

New Zealand has done an exceptional job of bringing in the gay and lesbian community. The country is divided between north and southern islands. What I think is if you're going to New Zealand, don't go unless you are an active traveler. If you're an active traveler, there is no better destination. Whether it's the north island which is warmer and has got almost subtropical rain forests, or the southern islands with biking, mountain biking and hiking, you differentiate between the two islands but it's an active destination and you'll love it. And it's great value.

What are popular gay and lesbian destinations in Indonesia?

Indonesia is one of the largest countries in the world, size-wise, just because it's spread out so big. Indonesia is really two different things. One is if you're going, you're probably going to Bali, and you'll love it. It's filled with Australians and New Zealanders, and it's a great chance to meet people from those cultures. It's a very warm culture, and I think people would enjoy excellent food, and beautiful beaches. The other side of Indonesia that people don't necessarily get to see would be going to some of the heavy rainforested islands, if you want to go for extreme active vacations. And I mean extreme, where you're going to be trekking through a rainforest, through a jungle, to see primates, and to see animals that you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else in the world.

What are popular gay and lesbian destinations in Australia?

Australia is the mother of all destinations when it comes to gay and lesbian travel. There's the Sydney Mardi Gras - that's the largest gay/lesbian celebration in the world, it's a yearly event, half a million people, and it is broadcast on national television. If you happen to be in America, it's almost as if you were watching Betty White in the Rose Bowl parade. It is that big. If you want to say I support a country that's supported us, they've done some great stuff - go to Sydney and go to Mardi Gras. Melbourne is up and coming. The other thing, of course, is the Great Barrier Reef. If you are a snorkeler or a scuba diver, there is no place like the Great Barrier Reef.

What are popular beach destinations for gays and lesbians in Asia and South Pacific?

If you're going to the South Pacific, go to Tahiti. For those people who haven't been to Tahiti, it is a once in a lifetime place to get out of Papeete, and go to Moorea, and Bora Bora. We did a program when I was at our RSVP where we took over an entire island, this tiny resort. And the magic of the people of Tahiti - you will never, ever feel as welcome as you will in Tahiti. It's an expensive destination, but you have to go once. The beaches, snorkeling, and scuba are exceptional. it is great to go hiking in Bora Bora, or Moorea, and the romance. If you talk about a honeymoon destination, there's no place like Tahiti. Do you know what's first in Southeast Asia? Thailand. They've done a great job of welcoming us as gay and lesbian communities, and the island of Phukat, if you want a beach. If you are going for an active vacation, go up and track in the north, the Chang Mai area.

What are some money-saving tips for gays and lesbians traveling through Asia and South Pacific?

Money saving tips: don't go to Tahiti. This is simply because of the dollar exchange. On the other hand, if you're going to go, try to go off season - there are very specific times, and your travel agent can help you with that. If you can, and you really want to go to Tahiti, go off season. Although it's expensive, it's worth it. Money saving is best in south east Asia. It is good value, so there's not a lot of tips I'd give. Negotiate airfare - get to a travel agent or go to a good site and do some research, because there are some good money saving tips on airfares. Once you get over there, the price of hotels, especially in the four and five star range, is going to be 50% of what you'd pay here. It's great value.

What are some safety tips for gays and lesbians traveling through Asia and South Pacific?

If you want to be in South Pacific there are very few safety tips other than walking on call - don't. As crazy as it sounds, but it is bad. South East Asia coast could be little different. Bangkok is always going to present a huge challenge in the city. It is not a key destination, but is one of the worlds heritage sights in a great place. Singapore is not a welcoming destination for gays and lesbians. You want to ensure that you're behaving like anybody.

What are some lesser-known gay and lesbian destinations in Asia and the South Pacific?

As far as lesser known, Fiji. It's a welcoming destination. It's close to Los Angeles, about six to seven hours. It's an undiscovered place. I would say of all those places, probably Fiji.

What Asian and South Pacific cities should gays and lesbians avoid?

If you're going to Asia, specifically, Indonesia is a tough destination. It is a conservative Muslim republic, and it can be a challenge. Again, Bali is a wonderful place, but you do have to be careful if you're going to Indonesia. China is an emerging destination; the gay and lesbian community's in flux there. I don't know if this is really a great time to go to China. I wouldn't say to avoid it, but I don't know if I'd necessarily recommend it. And then Myanmar, which is the former Burma -- it's just a tough destination to begin with. Beautiful, people love it, but I wouldn't say it's the time to go right now.