Hoi Ann

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Gay Travel - Get Off the Beaten Path & Pave Your Own Road to Adventure

Tired of burning up hard earned vacation time on family reunions, weddings and the pre-requisite Christmas and Easter visits with the family? Are you thinking that it's time to do something different, something challenging, something rewarding with your time?

Then it's probably time to put some thought into getting off the beaten gay path and look into exploring adventure options. The easiest way to break down your options is to look at the obvious and then dive into adventure.

Let's tackle Asia first! With direct and in some instances non-stop service from North America to Asian cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, Manila and Seoul, it is easy to see why Asia holds such a fascination for many gay travellers. Some of these cities actually have quite a buoyant gay life due in part to the large ex-pat communities that live in these cities. In Singapore for instance you'll find gay bars, restaurants and cafes. But in most Asian cities the gay options are pretty scarce and when they do exist they operate under the radar.

But that actually presents an opportunity to really explore Asia in a different light. Unless you're travelling to gay beach meccas like Phuket in Thailand then you are probably going to have to get off the beaten path to explore the real Asia. This region is so fascinating for so many reasons and it's incredibly varied as a result. Why not consider a trip through the former French colonies of Vietnam and Cambodia. This region, once known as Indochine or Indochina is an area that will get your adventurous spirit flowing.

Vietnam is a beautiful, coast hugging country running from Hanoi, the capital in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. But don't just stop at the cities! Make sure that you visit the picture postcard Halong Bay where you can take an overnight junk boat into the island sprinkled bay where you can swim and kayak in the clear water. Spend a couple of days in the Hoi Ann, a world heritage site where you can take Vietnamese cooking classes and get made to order clothing. When you get down to Ho Chi Minh City make sure you visit Uncle Ho himself. Ho Chi Minh is credited with helping the Vietnamese to expel not only the French but also the Americans in what they call the "American War", not the Vietnam War as we are taught. He is embalmed and lies in state for public viewing. Kind of creepy but hey, how often to you get to see an embalmed national war hero?

Cambodia is also another Asian destination that is pretty much off the beaten gay path, but you won't be disappointed for making the effort. Strolling through the imperial palace grounds in Phnom Penh is such a different experience from the tourist swamped royal palaces of Thailand. There are so few tourists that you can take your time and get some pretty amazing photographs. Cambodia does have a very sad and tragic past and you must spend some time understanding the massacre that took place in the 1970's. The Khmer Rouge rose to power and wiped out entire generations of their own people. The elite, teachers, business people, lawyers and doctors were all killed as the Khmer Rouge attempted to revert the country to a feudal society and one based solely on farming. It's a sad history but an important one to remember.

The absolute highlight of Cambodia is however the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat. Wow, is pretty much the only way to sum it up. Anyone interested in Asian cultures surely has this site on their Top 10 list. You will marvel at the intricate stone carvings of the various temples and ruins. Watching the sun set and the sun rise over the ruins are two definite musts. Be warned though, it does get more than a bit crowded...this is now well and truly a tourist highlight. People from around the world make their way to Siem Reap to view the temples. And it does get stinking hot, especially as the sun beats down onto the stone ruins. But, it is so worth it. You will be amazed at the craftsmanship of the ancient Khmer culture.

The further you get off the beaten gay path the more you'll realize that the world is an incredible place full of amazing people, places and things to see and do. Let Gay Adventure Travel become your new passion. Don't be afraid to take a chance and to challenge your view of the world. You'll be happy you did. What better way to take the plunge than to sign up for a Gay Tour with a Gay Travel company like OUT Adventures!

Robert Sharp is a responsible travel advocate who has travelled to all seven continents and is also Co-Founder of OUT Adventures, a gay tour operator that specializes in small group adventures with over 25 worldwide destinations including gay tours to Peru. Visit http://www.out-adventures.com for more information.

 

About the Author


"Hoi Ann & Hue" Rholmberg's photos around Hanoi, Vietnam


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