Bali, Indonesia: Photo gallery

Photos and captions by correspondent Sydney Pfaff.

Above: On the western side of the Bukit Peninsula, Balangan Beach sits quietly surrounded by cliffs with just a few bungalows, a couple of small restaurants, and a handful of warungs.

Loud and crowded with tourists (specifically loads of Aussies), Kuta Beach is a very active surf spot. One of the most famous spots in Bali, this alley separates some of the most dense streets in Kuta, not far from the popular gay clubs and nightlife haunts of Seminyak.  

Away from the coast and surrounded by rice paddies, Ubud is a peaceful area of Bali once you leave the town center. There are a handful of bungalows situated right in the middle of some of the paddies, just like this one here. 

With some of the most gorgeous (and green) pathways in Bali, Ubud is known for its traditional Balinese culture -- and known to many as "the real Bali" due to the strong presence of ancient arts and religious temples.

On the southern most tip of the Bukit, between the cliffs of Uluwatu, surfers flawk here for one of the most popular surfbreaks in Bali. Home to the one of the most spectacular temples in Bali, Uluwatu is home to many high-end villas and beautiful cliffside views (and sneaky monkey thieves ready to pick your pockets).

New Yorker loves his Delhis, old and new

Story and photos by Ed Salvato, seen here at Humayan Tomb

Only recently arrived in India via the fabulous Jet Airways (more below), I've been instantly confronted with the (in)famous sights, sounds, of smells of the nation's capital city. There are two parts to Delhi: New Delhi is a bustling metropolis with skyscrapers, traffic jams, construction sites everywhere (the Commonwealth Games will be here in 2010; there's an extension being created for the Delhi Metro) and an expanding airport. Old Delhi is a labyrinthine series of alleys, dilapidated-looking storefronts, and a upturned-bowl-of-spaghetti system of electrical wires with an extraordinary hustle and bustle of pedestrians, rickshaws (really pedicabs), stray dogs, goats, taxis and small trucks all competing for a few feet of turf at a time. At the very bottom of this post, I've included a brief video from an exhilarating pedi-cab tour of Old Delhi.

This city of 14 million souls isn't necessarily high up on the tourist to-do lists of most Americans but it should be. Both old and new, there's a lot to keep visitors occupied. The conquest by the Moguls left many impressive monuments to discover. And slowly but surely Delhi's beginning to emerge as an important world city. India, which I will be exploring over the next week, is a fascinating, absorbing, and -- so far anyway -- a demanding destination to experience. Like most things requiring an effort, the rewards will also surely be great.

For those who may have some reluctance to jump into the Indian fray with all its cacophony and movement, my suggestion is to do it in style and comfort. There's nothing quite like a welcome dose of pampering at the end of a day exploring dusty monuments, haggling over purchases and interacting with a few persistent locals.

My method included a trip on Jet Airways, a relatively new (approximately 16 years old in India and operating two years internationally) private Indian airlines. With two classes of service, Jet offers a very modern fleet of aircraft, a young, attractive and attentive staff of flight attendants, a fairly extensive network of flights considering how new it is to the world scene and, in Premiere (business class), private sleeping modules. (That's me in my sleeping pod.)

Prices are incredibly reasonable right now. And with connections in Brussels it's also a good way to get to Europe inexpensively and in style even if India's not on your travel agenda this time. Premiere class travelers also are escorted from the arrival of the flight (from the exit door actually!) to and through customs and immigration. International arrivals just don''t get easier than that.

For a pampering, peaceful (literally, it's in the name: Aman translates as serenity or peace) and secure way to stay, check out the Aman Resorts. Known for their exclusive, small, ultra luxurious resorts, many in remote destinations, Aman opened its first truly urban resort hotel in New Delhi, the Aman New Delhi. It's also the largest of the hotel collection's properties. Just a handful of the many luxe features include huge, airy, modern rooms with private plunge pools, a contemporary Western/Indian restaurant, a tapas restaurant, a 150 foot long lap pool, a state-of-the-art gym open 24 hours, and free wireless throughout the property. Staff is super attentive. The hotel's rates includes pick up and drop off at the airport and a small fleet of hotel cars that can drop you off and pick you up most anywhere in the city. But its key attribute is the calm oasis it affords visitors amidst the seemingly never-ending motion of Delhi.

Today I head out of town to Jaipur. Check back for my next update! First, here's the video of our roller-coaster rickshaw tour of Old Delhi. As a fellow traveler said to me, I experienced more in that 30 minute rickshaw tour as I did in the first 20 years of my life.

Correspondents: Shanghai Shenanigans

Story and Photos by Michael Seibert

Want to see lots of concrete, get lost in a taxi, see elderly men waltzing and ingest more smoke than your eyes or lungs can handle? Visit Shanghai! In early June, Shanghai also celebrated its first Pride event, so there's even a growing gay reason to visit. This Pride was the largest gay and lesbian community event on the Chinese mainland ever. Although it was mildly dampened by police involvement, it is still considered a major success and milestone.

My recent trip started off with a burning desire to witness the Lai Lai Dance Hall (2/F 235 An-guo Road, near Zhou-jia-zui Road; Hong-kou District), which I luckily found with the help of the taxi driver. Once you find the building, you have to dart through a Karaoke Lounge -- there was only one singer who was her own audience at the time -- and up some dingy steps to get to the Dance Hall.

Emerging from the entrance as the only white guy in the place, I found both young and old gay Chinese men waltzing with each other as multi-colored lights flashed out of sync around them. One, almost bouncing through his dance steps, fanned himself and his overly myopic eyeglasses with a fabulous black lace fan.

It was almost like a high school dance, except that the guys only danced to the slow songs -- translating them into waltzes as they went. When any other song came on, they returned to their tables and thermoses of hot tea. at their tables. If you want to witness a different groove, you will love this place. You won't soon forget the smiling faces on these potentially-married, elderly men enjoying themselves for a short 2 hours from 7-9 on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night with quick 'waltz' with another man.

For a more familiar scene. try Shanghai Studio (1950 Huai-hai Zhong Road, No. 4, near Xing-guo Road; Xu-hui District). But beware, this old bomb shelter is so smoky that your lungs will ache the next day. If you can stand it, they have a 100 RMB all you can drink night on Thursday.

If you're in the area, Eddy’s Bar (1877 Huai-hai Zhong Road, near Tian-ping Road; Xu-hui District) is a must -- better ventilation, small, cozy and great on any night. And if you are a bear, there's a place called Bo Bo’s for you. remember, though, that YOU are a “PANDA” in China. The locals informed me that it is rare to find a "Panda," so you may have to do some hunting if you want your own.

For club dancing with cute boys, visit the popular disco, D2 (505 Zhong Shan Road South, near Fu Xin Road; Huang-pu District), in Pudong on a packed Saturday, but skip Friday.

A short bus ride to Zhujiajiao (make sure to take the fast bus, not the local), the "Chinese Venice," is worth the half-day trip. Sip on some hot tea and shell peanuts along the waterway and then head back to Shanghai for the evening fun.

On a final note, visit The Bund -- the old colonial neighborhood -- in the morning if you can get up really early and watch the women dance with each other with Pudong in the background.

Dr. Michael Seibert is part of Out Traveler.com's international team of Correspondents, reporting from around the world on items of LGBT travel interest. If you would like to become a Correspondent, e-mail us here after checking out our guidelines.

Win a free trip to a fabulous destination!

Enter for free to win a trip to Paris, London, Berlin, Shanghai or Buenos Aires courtesy of our friends at Continental and sister company Advocate. It's easy. And free! Just click here.

Each prize includes round-trip airfare for two on Continental Airlines, three nights luxury hotel stay and welcome drinks in the hotel lounge.

We here at OutTraveler.com supplied the travel guides and videos for these destinations, including where to stay, eat, play, shop, and find entertainment and culture.

Click here to discover Paris, London, Berlin, Shanghai, and Buenos Aires.

Magnificent Maldives

Images Courtesy of Six Senses Resort and Spas
Story by Joseph Alexiou

It's only so often that the opportunity for a dream vacation comes along—a secluded tropical island with gay-friendly luxury resorts; a guilt-free, month-long, romantic and idyllic getaway—at half the price it would normally cost.

That's what going on in the Maldives—a nation of 26 atolls and almost 2,000 islands in the Indian Ocean—at two gorgeous resorts, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili. The two "Sonevas" are managed by the Six Senses, a luxury resort company committed to sustainability, organic culture and green living. While they are by no means inexpensive, Six Senses is a responsible and committed to giving back the communities they work with—which is why they're offering 14 complimentary nights for guests who book a two-week vacation (that's 28 nights at half the regular price, for those of us without calculators).

The "catch," if you can call it that, is they ask guests to volunteer four days of their month-long vacation to a variety of community activities—the kind of "voluntourism" Out Traveler seeks out. Choose between four  consecutive days, once a week, or any other combination. The volunteer options include (but are not limited to) teaching English and other subjects at local schools, working on nearby farms, beach cleaning, tree planting, or learning to make traditional tools like cadjan (roof coverings) or fihigan'du (brooms). Those in the medical professions can volunteer their time at hospitals. Connecting travelers with local culture and gives visitors a chance to experience the whole community, both inside and outside of resorts.

The properties themselves are a breathtaking tropical dream—Soneva Gili's rooms are on Condé Nast Traveler 2009's Gold list— and have all of extensive amenities including the Soneva Spa, great restaurants and broadband wireless internet. "Fushi" is full service resort with private guest houses (some of which are more like mini-mansions), while Gili is exactly the same—except they are "over-water villas," meaning that they stand above the lagoon water on wooden legs. Each of the properties a reachable by speedboats (even room service and in-villa dining!), a service provided by the resort as needed.

  Bookings must be made with a minimum three-month advance notice to allow ample time to create the custom volunteer program. The offer is available from June 1 through December 22 2009, and they can be booked by the guest or a travel agent. Fahung baadaluvang! (See you later!)

Correspondents: Beijing's Hustle n' Bustle

Story and Photos by Dr. Michael Siebert

When visiting China one must see Beijing. All the hustle and bustle might scare you at first, but most end up diving in for more.

If you like shopping, for example, consider the Hong Qiao Perle Market. It's mostly for tourists -- this is not where the locals shop -- but is enjoyable just to see all the recent Apple iPhone knock-offs (ranging in price from 150-250 USD depending upon who you bargaining with at the kiosk.)

Upon entering the kiosk for cell phones I was accosted by a girl pushing the latest Nokia phone and boy, was she pushy!  A few kiosks down I found the same phone for significantly less. One bargains for anything in China.

 Wang Fujing street will give you the feeling that you are in Times Square in a much newer NYC. A not-to-be-missed experience is the street that intersects Wang Fujing, which is full of vendors selling anything on a stick.

Here is a brief summary: Dog, ostrich, fried silk worms, grasshopper, fried sheep kidney, beetles, centipede, snake, sheep penis, and let's not forget goat testicles. Although the tasty delights didn't quite grab me, the displays and attention to detail are impressive. One American was caught eating fried silk worms, but he was young and obviously backpacking around the world.

If you want to dance all night hit Destination located on Gonti West Road. Destination is the premier gay club in Beijing and Miami DJ, Tracy Young, was just there in December 2008.

Dr. Michael Siebert is part of OutTraveler.com's international team of Correspondents, reporting from around the world on items of LGBT travel interest. If you would like to become a Correspondent, e-mail us here after checking out our guidelines.

Gay Cambodia

Image by Alan Perry

We here at Out Traveler wanted to share this idyllic photo of a sunset on Ochhueteal Beach, in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Its purpose is not just to make you dream of Southeast Asia, but to call your attention to our new home page feature Beyond Angkor Wat, which highlights beautiful Sihanoukville and the gay-owned (and American-owned) hotel there, the DevaRaja Villa. Please enjoy!

 

Neve Tzedek Hip in Hebrew

Photos (1) by Teena Wildmen, (2,3,5,6) by Lawrence Ferber and (4, 7) by Kobi Israel
Story by Lawrence Ferber

 Lined with bath and body shops, cafés and clothing stores, Sheinken Street once laid claim as Tel Aviv’s trendiest strip: the queer hipsters of 2006’s The Bubble worked and hung out in the area. But now Neve Tzedek, one the city’s oldest sections, has snatched and run off with the glowing torch.

Founded in 1887 (before Tel Aviv even became a city) – the peeling paint and rough edges in the streets of Neve Tzedek still recall the late 19th century. Now snazzy, modern boutique businesses have added serious razzle-dazzle as well as sublime design-oriented flourishes—even the mezuzahs on people's doorframes.

First occupied by literary, artistic and philanthropic types, splashes of Hebrew poetry and art mark the walls of Neve Tzedek while the homes of prominent early residents, including Simon Rokach and painter Nachum Gutman are now museums packed with memorabilia and contemporary Israeli art—both on Simon Rokach St.

Leading the nouveau charge is wine bar/shop Pri Hagefen—the name is derived from the Jewish blessing for wine—with a mod-rustic cellar décor and an exclusively Israeli wine selection. Boasting five different climates in this tiny country, Israeli wines are bringing in strong regard: Galilee-based Rimon produces a couple of unique Pomegranate wines, dry and dessert—the latter boasts a crispness and perfect sugar balance. Blessed indeed!

More after the jump!

Beijing's Quiet Corner

Photos: Courtesy The Opposite House

Recently opened in Beijing, The Opposite House luxury boutique hotel looks like a futuristic fantasy of soft, white minimalism.

With uber-avant garde Japanese architect Kengo Kuma behind the wheel, it seems safe to assume that guests will occassionally wonder if they are in a hotel at all or have been transported into a high-design installation-art version of a spa.
 
 But, then, that seems to be the point.

The hotel was developed by Swire Hotels to be part of the same company's shopping destination, The Village at Sanlitun, which boasts over 100 shops (a movie theatre and a few restaurants) and is still only half open.

Who wouldn't want a relaxing hotel to escape to in that midst? Emphasizing light, bamboo and open space in their rooms, though, just wouldn't be the same without a little decorative opulance in the three adjoining high-end restaurants, would it?

Japan's Gay Ski Weekend

Photos Courtesy Gay Ski Weekend
Story by Joseph Alexiou

Although it's been sold out for a month, it would be a shame not to report on the biggest gay ski event in Asia, a sexy charity weekend on the slopes in Hakuba, Japan.

It sounds like such a blast; Hakuba, a small town in the Nagano prefecture (a region of Honshu, Japan's biggest island) is famous for the most wonderful combination ever: great skiing, and natural hot springs. The springs, also known as onsens, are all over the Hakuba area and so those that don't feel like skiing will most likely soak in one all day.  I could stop right here. But no!

 

The entire Hakuba Highland Hotel was rented out for this weekend, so the whole weekend sounds fabulous. February 14th is the big party night, including the very Japanese "all you can drink" bar, dancing, shows, gogos, and even an underwear party; the only  way to enjoy hot springs in the cold at a gay ski weekend. There are even some videos of last year's party on Youtube, check them out here. This mountain hotel is situated up in the snowy slopes and has a natural, open-air hot spring pool built right on location. So, to recap: a fully rented hotel full of gay ski boys, open bar, and underwear party. Need I say more?

As if the news couldn't get any better, this event is not purely debaucherous, the proceeds will go towards the ILGA, the only international gay rights organization, and Gay Japan News. So, if you're in the Hakuba area, or anywhere in Nagano (or anywhere near or in Japan), hop on over now as I would bet quite a few yen that there's some space for you at Asia's sexiest ski party.