Asia

Take the Georgia Coast Road Trip – 2TravelDads

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Take the Georgia Coast Road Trip - 2TravelDads

Have you ever done a Georgia Coast road trip? No?! Well now’s your chance and you will love it! A road trip along the Georgia shore is rather surprising, as it’s not a big long beach like doing a California seaside trip or a Florida Gulf Coast trip. But it’s awesome!

A lot of people ask us about living in the South and how to get the best of both beaches and history. Making the drive from FL to GA is the perfect way to get the full experience. Departing by car from Atlanta is an option too, but that’s a bit more complicated. Here’s the scoop though for having an incredible coastal Georgia road trip including Tybee Island, Savannah and the Golden Isles.

Getting to the Georgia Coast Road Trip Start

If you’re not familiar with the map of the East Coast, you may think that Atlanta is super close to the beach, but it’s not. Savannah actually isn’t even a beachfront city, but it’s pretty close. So, how do you get to the beaches? While heading to the coast is one of the best drives from Atlanta, it’s not the best way to get to Savannah.

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By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Georgia Gay Travel Resources

Ten Days in Lesbian Bali – Our Taste for Life

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Ten Days in Lesbian Bali - Our Taste for Life

10 Days in Lesbian Bali – The Best Itinerary for First-Timers

10 Days in lesbian Bali is the perfect amount of time to appreciate what this beautiful island has to offer. In this guide, I’ll be sharing a recommended 10 Day Itinerary, including the best places to visit, where to eat, sleep, & party, as well as all of our top tips for visiting.

Before the pandemic struck, this beautiful island was one of the most visited destinations in South East Asia. And with its rich local culture, laidback bohemian vibe, and endless natural beauty, it’s not too difficult to see why.

With the island opening up again to tourists, you might be wondering whether Bali is worth all the hype. So I’ll start by saying that yes, it’s every bit as magical as everybody makes it out to be.

That said, there’s more to Bali than all of those famous Instagram spots.

Take the time to enjoy the warm Balinese culture, seek out hidden gems like the unique black sand beaches, and escape the crowds for a truly authentic experience.

Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Bali Gay Travel Resources

Exploring Bagan Temples in One Day – Keep Calm and Wander

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Exploring Bagan Temples in One Day - Keep Calm and Wander

Exploring Bagan Temples in one day is possible – on a motorbike. Yep, you can rent a motorbike and go at your own pace! However, I’d still advise you to ask for a map from the hotel/hostel receptionist. 

And don’t just ride unprepared. The weather in Bagan is scorching hot all year, except on monsoon mornings. Pack an extra t-shirt or sweatshirt and bring water or food. And oh, the road is dusty so you better have a pair of sunglasses. 

This post is the last of the 22 temples you can explore in Bagan in one day. So, let’s continue with our little adventure in Bagan!

Bagan Temples: Yinmana

Yinmana is an interesting complex of well-tended temples. Despite its wondrous beauty, the temples are off-the-beaten-track. There were only two of us there at the time of our visit. If you notice in the picture below, each temple has a different style and they’re interesting to see if you observe them from afar. The downside is that nowhere we could find descriptions of the pagoda’s history.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Myanmar Gay Travel Resources

Pattaya’s Supertown – Thailand’s New Gay Destination

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Supertown - Gay Supertown Blog

Thailand is a wonderous country, it is a mix of a ancient culture and modern cities, warm beautiful beaches and cool misty mountains. Thai people are very welcoming by nature and will endeavor to make you feel most welcome!

Most major cities have a significant gay population of both Asian and Westerner and the public by & large is accepting of the lifestyle. As a vacation spot, it is hard to beat. For gay tourists it can be a wonderful destination to explore. Unlike many places, Thailand caters to gay tourists of all ages.

Pattaya / Jomtien Beach is located on the Eastern Seaboard of the Gulf Of Thailand approximately two hours south of Bangkok, the country’s Capitol. The official population stands about 100,000 but that number does not include non Thai Ex-Pats and many Thais who work here but call other provinces home.

Thailand’s Supertown Gay Complex

Jomtien Complex  south of town by about 4 km which for years seemed a “hit or miss after thought” with only a few bars and a lot of empty shophouses. A few years ago, Jomtien Complex was renamed Supertown Jomtien Walking Street to avoid confusion with a similarly named Condo.  Many locals still refer to by its former name.

Full Story at the Gay Supertown Blog

Jomtien Gay Travel Resources

Zhuge Bagua Village in Zhejiang, China – Keep Calm and Wander

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Zhuge Bagua Village

Morning at Zhuge Bagua Village in Zhejiang

Zhuge Bagua Village is an ancient town in Zhejiang Province in the eastern part of China. It has a history that dates back to the Qing and Ming Dynasties. The locals call it “Zhugecun.” History has it that the village’s name comes from the last name Zhuge which was widespread in two dynasties. Most of the residents here claim to be descendants of Zhuge Liang, a 3rd-century Chinese military strategist, and noble statesman.

I arrived at Zhuge early evening and I didn’t want to explore it right away because, you know, I might get lost in the dark alleys. I stayed in a hotel that was along the main road in the newer part of the town. However, the receptionist assured me that the ancient village was just behind the hotel and it can be seen from my bedroom windows.

Well, it was not 100% true. Yes, the village was just behind (according to the map) me but I didn’t see it from my window. There was no shortcut trail from the back of the hotel to the old village. Fortunately, it was just a 10-15 minutes walk from where I was.

Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

China Gay Travel Resources

Mandalay Pagodas – Keep Calm and Wander

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Mandalay Pagodas - Keep Calm and Wander

These 6 Mandalay pagodas are must-see tourist attractions when you are in this ancient capital of Myanmar. They are all Buddhist temples/pagodas but each one is distinct from the other. You will be surprised how the locals devote their time when they are in the temple. Myanmar, I think, has the most number of Buddhist temples/pagodas in the world. Not sure about that but many of their tourists attractions are temples – and Mandalay is no exemption.

Let me introduce first these three Buddhist pagodas within the city of Mandalay.

Remember to take your shoes off when entering temples. Dress appropriately or cover you exposed skin with a sarong that you can borrow/rent at the entrance of some temples. You can also bring your own sarong if you’ve got one. Don’t worry about losing your shoes. No one will snatch them away. Be respectful when taking pictures inside the temple. There are places where “No Photography” sign is displayed. Don’t be THAT tourist! Always bring wet tissues to clean your feet after visiting.

Myanmar Pagodas – Kyauk Taw Gyi

The most prized possession here is the presence of the largest marble Buddha in Myanmar. As soon as you enter, you’ll see its imposing size and brilliant whiteness surrounded by a not-so-well-lit temple. Remember to check out the backyard where some interesting things to do and see await you.

Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Labuan Bajo’s Rangko Cave – Keep Calm and Wander

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Labuan Bajo's Rangko Cave - Keep Calm and Wander

Rangko Cave in Labuan Bajo was the first place I went to as soon as I settled myself in a hostel. I arrived at Labuan Bajo a day before the 3-day tour and I had the whole afternoon free with no agenda. A fellow hosteller told me to explore Rangko Cave and she was raving about it. She showed me photos of the cave and I was wowed! So, without thinking twice, I hopped on a gojek (Indonesia’s Uber) motorbike.

Directions to Rangko Cave

Going there is pretty easy – that is – if you drive a motorbike. If you don’t, like me, here’s what you are going to do: Take a gojek that brings you to Rangko village. The trip should be around 45 minutes. Remember that this is a very small village and it’s very rare to get a gojek so it is wise to ask your driver to wait for you. Negotiate for a reasonable price.

From Rangko Village, there are outrigger boats that you can rent. As a solo traveler, I rented it for 250k rupiah ($20) for the whole trip. The “captain” also became my photographer. From the shore to the cave, the boat ride took us 15 minutes. When we arrived, we were the only people there + the ticket master. The water was very clear but the shore where we disembarked was full of plastics. Tourists pay 50k rupiah to enter but no one really cares about cleaning the site. It’s heartbreaking to see those floating plastic bottles and boxes.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Georgia’s Jekyll Island – 2TravelDads

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Visiting Georgia's Jekyll Island - 2TravelDads

Jekyll Island is a great destination for beach goers or travelers that want to mix a little history with relaxation. An excellent stop along a Georgia Coast road trip, It’s just across the Florida-Georgia border and very easy to get to from Savannah or Jacksonville.

It’s been several years since we first fell in love with the Golden Isles of Georgia. Our first experience was on St Simons Island when we visited the King and Prince Resort. From the food to the Spanish moss, we were hooked. And now we’ve gotten to explore another of the Golden Isles: Jekyll Island. Again, wow.

Jekyll Island is actually one big state park but then it’s also a town and a collection of beaches and hotels and golfing and… It’s funny to compare this palce with St Simons because they’re so different with such different attractions and a totally different feeling. Take a look at our weekend there and you’ll see why we’re always ready to head back there for another getaway!

Visiting Jekyll Island

The Island is a part of the Golden Isles of Georgia. It is in the very southeastern most tip of Georgia almost at the Florida border. The Golden Isles aren’t far off of Interstate 95 which means that you can add them onto a trip to the Jacksonville or St. Augustine area or make them a stop off on your road trip North to Savannah or Atlanta.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Georgia Gay Travel Resources

Bali Waterfalls – Keep Calm and Wander

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Bali Waterfalls - Keep Calm and Wander

These 11 Bali waterfalls will add to the excitement when visiting the famed Island of the Gods. Whether they’re big or small, these waterfalls can surely delight your adventurous spirit. All of these waterfalls involve a bit of hiking, some are a bit exhausting and others are easy peasy. But once you see/hear the raging or calming sound of these waterfalls in a middle of a lush jungle, all worries are gone. Not to mention the sounds of birds, insects, and other living creatures that harmonize with the cascading water.

Bali Waterfalls – Sekumpul

I have no doubt this is Bali’s most beautiful waterfall. Sekumpul Waterfall is way up north of the island right in the middle of a jungle. I was speechless the first time I saw it. It was just beautiful from afar and much more stunning when I was at its base.

The hike down was easy but you’ve got to be wearing shoes to make it easy to wade in the water and to protect your feet from sharp objects/rocks. Going back up can be challenging as it would test your physical limits.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Bali Gay Travel Resources

Nasi Goreng, Indonesia’s Signature Dish – Everything to Sea

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Nasi Goreng - Pixabay

In 2018, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism declared fried rice – better known as nasi goreng – as one of the five national dishes alongside the likes of gado-gado (assorted vegetables coated in peanut sauce) and soto (traditional soup composed of an assortment of meat and vegetables).

What’s interesting about these choices is that they share a similar trait, which is their malleability. Although there’s a universal definition or understanding of each dish, their serving or presentation may differ from each Indonesian region to the next; gado-gado, for instance, may transform into lotek, karedok or pecel in other regions, all of which essentially employ the similar principle in composition but perhaps contain slightly different ingredients.

What Is Nasi Goreng?

The same also applies to nasi goreng. Although not native to Indonesia – the origin of nasi goreng is often said to hearken back to China and the world-famous Chinese fried rice – the dish has become so iconic and singularly Indonesian thanks to its distinctly aromatic, earthy and smoky taste profile and most importantly, its versatility.

At present, there are roughly around 60 variations of the dish known across the archipelago, ranging from all-veggies to meat-heavy. Furthermore, there is no single defined recipe for it, as every fried rice dish with certain mixtures, additions, ingredients, and toppings could lead to another version. 

Full Story at Everything to Sea

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources