Gay China, A Local Perspective – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay China - Nomadic Boys

China has the potential to be the gayest nation on our planet. Think about it: a country with a population of 1.5 billion people. That’s a billion! You do the maths, how many gays does that work out to…?

Today, the country is slowly emerging from an oppressive Communist rule under which homosexuality was criminalized and seen as a mental illness. It wasn’t until 1997 when it was legalized and then subsequently declassified as a mental illness in 2001.

Historically it wasn’t always like this. Homosexuality in ancient China appears to have been widely accepted well before the 1800s. For example, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) literature (like the Bian Er Chai – 弁而釵/弁而钗) portrays homosexual relationships as being positive, and writings from the Liu Song Dynasty (420–479 AD) allege that homosexuality was an everyday common thing!

The fabulous LGBTQ folk we met during our travels as a couple in gay China were confident of progressive change – albeit very slowly. During our trip in Xi’an we met the awesome Cass Chen who sat us down and gave us this interview about his experience growing up gay in China.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay China Travel Resources

Pura Lempuyang Indonesian Temple – Keep Calm and Wander

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Pura Lempuyang Indonesian Temple - Keep Calm and Wander

Pura Lempuyang (or Lempuyang Temple) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bali. It is also one of the oldest and holiest Hindu temples worth going to when traveling to this tropical island.

This sacred temple is two hours drive away from Canggu. The picturesque ride on your way up there is one to be enjoyed with such delight.

Visiting Lempuyang Temple during the pandemic has its good and bad side. There were only very few people (close to none) when we were there. On the other hand, not every temple was open.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Harborview Inn – Gay Friendly Gloucester B&B

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Harborview Inn - Gay Friendly Gloucester B&B

GAY FRIENDLY GLOUCESTER B&B ON CAPE ANN

The Harborview Inn sits on the Gloucester Harbor, with a view of the iconic Man at the Wheel statue.

Our gay friendly Gloucester B&B is an easy walk away from all that downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts has to offer – fun museums, great restaurants, local shopping, brew pubs, coffee shops, whale watching spots and tours, and many other seaside attractions.

Our guest rooms are comfortable and well-decorated, and each one has its own singular, charming style. Most of our rooms feature a wonderful harbor view, and all of them come with private bathroom, air conditioning, and cable television.

Guests of the Harborview Inn are invited to a complimentary continental breakfast each morning – you’ll enjoy fresh fruit and pastries from around the Cape Ann region.

Our friendly and knowledgable staff at our gay friendly Gloucester B&B is always there to help make your stay both relaxing and fun.

See the Harborview Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gloucester Gay Friendly B&Bs, Hotels, and Vacation Rental

Lesbian Kerala: God’s Own Country – Once Upon a Journey

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Lesbian Kerala: God's Own Country - Once Upon a Journey

It isn’t without reason that Kerala, India, is known as God’s Own Country. This green state in southwest India has beautiful beaches and stunning landscapes. But foremost, it’s the people that make your trip here so special. The people have created a different kind of life than the rest of the country. A life that revolves around nature. In Kerala, every human act is a way of connecting with nature. 

You will probably travel to southern India because you’ve seen the most beautiful landscape pictures, and you will fall in love with the state because of its people. People that are hospitable, loving, and kind. People that live in the present and make you appreciate moments while they last. 

While traveling, it’s important to feel at home, and in “lesbian Kerala” we certainly do. Yes, you certainly need to get used to those spicy curries (who doesn’t?) but it’s a region in India you MUST explore. There’s so much to do and discover here. We will give you our best tips for your Kerala trip in this short Kerala travel guide.

By Maartje and Roxanne – Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Lesbian India Travel Resources

Indonesia’s Floating Temple – Keep Calm and Wander

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Indonesia's Floating Temple - Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia’s Floating Temple

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul, in the highlands of Bali, gains its monicker as Indonesia’s Floating Temple as it is on the edge of Lake Beratan. However, the structure is not literally floating on the lake. It depends on where you stand, the temple, at a far distance, looks like it is buoyed up. 

On the day I visited it, the water was so low that it didn’t really look like I expected it to be. It was disappointing to me because I already knew how/where I want my photos taken. Backdropped with a gorgeous mountain, the complex reveals its beauty on a sunny day. As it is on the highlands, the weather changes from time to time.

I was lucky that on the day I visited it, the sun cooperated. But as soon as I was done, a thick cloud revealed, and rain came.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Finding Gay China – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay China - The Nomadic Boys

Picking out the best vacation destination is a challenge, which is why we’re here to give you a simple word of advice: don’t be sleeping on the Sleeping Giant!

It seems a common misconception that China only represents oppression and a loss of freedom. We definitely understand concerns from the LGBTQ community regarding discrimination, but allow us to assure you that most Chinese citizens are respectful, kind, and almost too eager to receive visitors from all walks of life. Welcome to gay China!

As one of the world’s first civilizations, there has been more than enough time for specific Chinese cultures to steep like an exquisite cup of tea. Seemingly every region of China offers its own distinctive cuisine, architectural wonders, and natural sights. The country provides boundless opportunities for exciting travel from the countless pagodas and temples to the towering mountains and shining bodies of water. And that’s not even mentioning the gay bars, clubs, and saunas that can be found in some of gay China’s more progressive cities.

As daunting a task vacation planning can be, just follow our comprehensive guide to gay travel in China, and you will surely leave the country with a smile on your face.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay China Travel Resources

Visit Tempe for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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TeTempe for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

It’s rare that just one of us dads gets to escape for a trip with just one of the kids. It happened though!! It really did! Oliver (our oldest) and I (Rob) got to take an adventure down to Tempe, Arizona and it was the perfect bonding trip that we needed. This central AZ town was the ideal spot for us with nonstop outdoors and kid-focused activities. Tempe for gay families = best idea ever. Tempe engaged us to go explore and share our experience and huzzah we loved it!

It might seem strange to go to a small city,, but it’s actually smart travel. When you hit up a spot like San Francisco or Miami you’re going to be faced with lots of skyscrapers and fancy food. Tempe with kids fit us just right for keeping things mellow and fun (and still great food). Check it out!

Tempe for Gay Families

A lot of people fly through Phoenix (PHX) for work or as a general travel hub, and if you’ve got a long layover or want to add an easy adventure to a work trip, This Phoenix suburb is super easy for that. Located about fifteen minutes east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport you are really close to whatever else you’ve got planned.

Indonesia’s “Broken Beach” – Keep Calm and Wander

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Broken Beach - Keep Calm and Wander

The Broken Beach in Nusa Penida is one of the most-visited tourist attractions on the small island, next to Bali. But is it really broken? When I saw it personally, I couldn’t figure out why they call it as such. Nothing there is broken.

Broken Beach Views

As you can see in these photos, there is a natural bridge with a natural arched tunnel under it. The water passes through the tunnel and smashes to the small beach below.

Of course, there’s no way going down to the beach, except taking a boat tour – as we were told. You see, the area is circular, and the hole in the middle forms a 50-200 meters high cliff. It is a unique rock formation and truly one of the island’s natural wonders.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Frog Meadow – Vermont Gay Bed and Breakfast

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Frog Meadow - Vermont gay bed and breakfast

VERMONT GAY BED AND BREAKFAST
& MASSAGE OASIS FOR MEN

Welcome to Southeast Vermont’s Frog Meadow Bed & Breakfast and Massage Oasis – a welcoming, non-judgmental place for men of all colors and backgrounds. Stay with us and relax and get away from your busy modern life.

Frog Meadow is a Vermont gay bed and breakfast that’s surrounded by 63 private acres with hiking trails (snowshoeing in the winter), mountain views, gardens, swimming pond, a wood-fired hot tub, and a full gym. We’re just 2.5 hours from Boston, 3.5 hours from NYC and 4 hours from Montreal.

Enjoy Frog Meadow’s spring-fed swimming pond & gym, and then relax your sore muscles and tired soul with a long soak in our wood-fired hot-tub.

At our Vermont gay bed and breakfast, we offer six unique lodging options:

Main House South Room: king bed and lovely views of the Vermont hills, the swimming pond and gardens. The room’s southwestern exposure is bright and sunny and offers wonderful cross breezes. On the rare occasion when it does get warm and muggy at night, the room offers quiet central a/c. There’s also a large full bath tiled in beautiful blue handmade ceramics, shared with the North Room.

Main House North Room: the mirror image of the South Room, complete with king-sized bed and a plush yet firm pillow top mattress. 

See the Frog meadow Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Vermont Gay Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Gay Vancouver – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Vancouver - The Nomadic Boys

Greenpeace, Ryan Reynolds, Hayden Christensen, and Botox – what do they all have in common?
Vancouver!

That’s right, they were all created in this super cool city located right on the far West coast of Canada. Vancouver is the capital of the British Columbia Province, famous for being one of the most diverse regions of Canada. It is also nicknamed “The Hollywood of the North” due to its popularity as a filming location for TVs/movies after LA and NYC. Oh, and did we mention the part about Ryan Reynolds and Hayden Christensen?

We visited Vancouver several times on our trips to Canada and always have a fantastic time. As well as a bustling Gay Village over at Davie Street, Vancouver has tons of fun things to do, with the mountains on its doorstep and the natural paradise of Vancouver Island a short ferry ride away.

Most importantly of all, we found gay Vancouver to be a very tolerant city, accepting of everyone. We frequently saw many gay couples walking the streets hand-in-hand all across town and felt comfortable to do the same. Of course, this comes as no surprise as this is Canada, a country we absolutely adore and rate as the most gay friendly country in the world.

In this detailed gay guide to Vancouver, we summarise our experience discovering the gay scene of Davie Village, as well as some of the best things to do in the city, gay hotels to stay and more practical tips for LGBTQ travellers.

Davie Street: The Gay Vancouver Village

Vancouver’s gay village, also known as the Davie Village, is the heart of the city’s LGBTQ community. It is based mainly along Davie Street between Jervis Street and Burrard Street. This is where the majority of the queer bars and clubs are. Although it’s not as big as the scene of Montreal or Toronto, it’s just as fun.

There is also a more bohemian area popular with the lesbian community of the city at Commercial Drive, called “The Drive” over in East Vancouver, which we did not visit so have not covered in this guide.