Story and video by Michael Anthony; Photos in order: Michael Anthony (3); Getty (1)
If the ship is a-rockin'…get those anti-nausea pills ready!
Yes, on the 5th official day of RSVP's Alaskan cruise (from which I've been reporting) we awoke to hurricane force winds. Standing on our balcony, holding on for near-dear life, we watched as the captain tried to tender in (or pull into harbor, in landlubber-language). Literally 4 attempts ensued before the commander made an announcement: "I regret to inform you that we will not be docking in Sitka. Instead, you will be enjoying another day at sea."
On one hand, this was disappointing. Sitka is a cultural city that my world traveler friends have told me is definitely worth seeing; it's a rural yet refined collective with heavy native and Russian influences. But, at 60-knots, docking was out of the question. So enjoy the boat, we did!
Even five days in, it's shocking how many things were yet to be discovered on this 12-story ship. Aunt Ros spent the entire day in the "Crow's Nest" library, grilling the on-staff Alaskan expert about everything and anything wilderness-related. Helen and the Uncles took to the ship's culinary school -- culinary school! David, as he usually does, ran off to the gym and spa for some mind, body and soul respite. I jumped in on my first-ever slots tournament. (Second place ain’t bad for an amateur, now is it?)
At night, the cruise ship party scene commenced. Unlike other gay cruise lines, RSVP has those gay good-time vibes rather than that "party atmosphere" that many LGBTQ travelers would prefer to avoid when relaxing. There are parties nightly (like Day Five’s "leather-themed bonanza"), but this Alaskan Adventure boasted all of the fun with none of the attitude; even the great-aunts took to the dance floor and had a blast.
Day Six brought us to Ketchikan, a small Alaskan port town. While the uncles took an historic nature walk and Helen went off to perform in a Native tribe dancing ritual, David and I sated our inner-adventure
seekers and spent the afternoon zip-lining through the city’s rainforest (the second biggest in the world, only second to the Amazon). What can I say about taking a 400 foot nosedive through the misty woodland with nothing more than a mere rope harness as your savior? Priceless!
The evening of Day Seven dropped us off in the heart of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. We arrived by bus to the world-famous Butchart Gardens just in time for a fireworks spectacular for which clearly no expense was spared.
We also got a quick tour of the Gardens themselves before being bustled back to the Westerdam. Now I’m not a big "flower and fountain guy," but something about outdoor floral design done right really makes a man appreciate the world around him; it was absolutely stunning, whether you’re a "stop and smell the roses" kind of traveler or not.
Of course, David and I rocked out the night as hard as we could; refusing to admit that our vaca-y had come to an end. The verdict? From 28-to-70-some-years-old, each and every one of us enjoyed a five-star time. It's hard not to enjoy any openly-gay cruise, but when it’s done in a setting as beautiful as the picturesque Alaskan coastline, it's truly memorable. An expensive memory, yes, but worth every pretty penny.
Story and video by Michael Anthony. Images in order: Getty; Michael Anthony; Getty
Although Day Three of RSVP's Alaskan Adventure cruise was technically a "day at sea," we sailed through the indescribably beautiful Glacier Bay and tendered for a bit.
Here, we saw our first glacier of the trip (and of my entire life!), a family of passing whales (who followed alongside our ship and surfaced no less than a dozen times) and miles of gorgeous, untouched-by-man shoreline.
Aunt Ros and Uncle Bill had a field day, snapping picture after picture. Seeing sights like this in movies, on nature flip calendars and in National Geographic specials can be desensitizing, but actually beholding beauty like this in real life is in its own category entirely.
On this cruise, which I’ve never experienced on any other cruise before, they tugboat in resident experts and naturalists to discuss the culture and lay of the land as we pass it. Today’s speaker was Alaska’s one and only gay park ranger; Aunt Helen twisted my arm into attending the lecture, and I’m so glad that I tagged along.
Not only did he give the standard "that’s a glacier, over there is a mountain goat" speech, but he discussed the trials and tribulations of finding success and happiness in such a (stereotypically) hetero-centric environment. It was pretty moving and definitely inspiring.
Day Four took us to Juneau, Alaska's capital (interesting fact: the city is only accessible via passenger plane and boat; not a single road is paved in or out). We spent the first half of the day shopping at the local port: trinkets, furs, Russian cultural items (surprisingly frequent here) and jewelry native to the area.
But the best part of our capital visit (and of the trip to date!) was the one-hour helicopter flight that the 'family' and I took through the local wilderness. (See the clip above for a taste of the majestic beauty that we encountered.) Bears, flora and fauna abounded, as well as glaciers (one which is near the size of Rhode Island at times of the year).
Our pilot, a rough and tumble yet strikingly beautiful local woman, even maneuvered a touch-down on a remote glacier; for nearly 20 minutes, we got to hike and trek around the area, harsh and uninhabitable yet entrancing. The tour cost us well over $500 for four, but was well, well worth it.
Tomorrow, onto the city of Sitka, with a slew of other RSVP-promised surprises in store.
Writer Michael Anthony, contributing from aboard RSVP's Alaskan cruise
Planning the perfect 'family' getaway is tricky. Everyone wants to escape, but no two can agree on how to do it: beaching in Tahiti? Bar-hopping in San Francisco? Hiking the Appalachian Trail?
Perhaps it’s just my ever-growing “bear-ness” -- the desire to literally let the hair on my chest grow and actually keep my shirt on for an entire vaca-y -- or the need for a respite that’s a little less party enthused and a lot more R&R. L.A. (my home) isn’t great for R&R, but there are few more relaxing and spectacularly beautiful places than Alaska.
RSVP's Alaskan Adventure is also surprisingly all-too fitting for my 28-through-79-year-old ragtag collective -- my boyfriend and I, together for 6 years and gay as the day is long; my Uncle Bill and his partner of 24 years, Steve; and "Aunt Ros" and the love of her life, Helen, happily partnered for 40 “wonderful, just wonderful” years. With a 2,000-ish person capacity, the cruise offers something for everyone and it's decidedly lions, tigers, bears, oh-my guests was a welcome change from the West Hollywood twink set.
Days One and Two at sea gave the fam and I time to explore; and explore, we did! While my partner and I sauntered about with the "been-there, cruised-this, enjoyed-that" ease of cruise veterans, our accompanying gaggle of first-timers stumbled about with awe in their eyes. The Westerdam (part of the Holland America fleet) may not be the largest ship on the sea -- a 2,000 capacity is still plenty -- but it has everything a traveler needs.
There’s a full gym with free weights, cardio machines, spin classes and even free lectures. The award-winning spa is on hand -- which I tried within a few hours of boarding -- has a hot stone massage to rival any treatments I’ve experienced in LA.
There are also two pools (indoor and out), a casino, art gallery, live-stage theatre (shows every night) and (of course, my favorite haunt) a buffet! Every amenity is well-staffed and top-notch.
On this afternoon’s agenda? Culinary school begins in 20-minutes, my acupuncture awaits afterward, and the pool deck BBQ starts at five. It's only been two days, but we’ve all already taken to the Westerdam, eager for each new event and excited for our first soon-to-see visual tomorrow afternoon: the Glacier Bay shoreline.
There are also plans for a new design university to accommodate all the talented young Finns who are building on older international A-listers like Eero Aarnio -- remember this chair? -- and Alvar Aalto.
Of course, the best place to see chic new Finnish design work -- famously simple, eco-friendly and functional, but still statement-worthy -- is at the annual international design fair.
Barring that, downtown Helsinki's Design Forum combines showroom, shop and café into a stylish multi-use space where you can see (and purchase) work by both established and University-fresh designers.
At the top of the rising star list (look for his watch work with Issey Miyake) is Harri Koskinen, whose elegant but pleasantly whimsical glasswork for Iittala is simply beautiful. His furniture can be harder to find -- and transport -- but will be online soon.
Dotting Helsinki's Design District, you'll also find a handful of cool boutiques stocking the wearable version of new Finnish design. IvanaHelsinki, for example, the first label invited to Paris' main catwalk, has their flagship womenswear shop in the heart of the neighborhood.
Beam and Tiger are the best places to start for menswear by Scandinavian designers, but neither carry Finnish labels. A few can be found, along with everything else one needs in life, at Stockmann, Helsinki's massive department store.
For something funkier -- but still very Finnish -- check out Secco, a small shop on Fredrikinkatu that specializes in recycled streetwear and accessories by forty or so local designers.
After a long day of the new Finland, unwind with one of the culture's oldest traditions: the dry sauna. A beautiful, central sauna -- and, built in 1926, perhaps Helsinki's oldest -- can be found at Yrjönkatu alongside a huge pool and a Turkish steam room. Check for mens' and womens' days and be comfortable sweating nude with a bunch of Finnish men of all ages.
Nikko will be
reporting from his travels in Helsinki, Stockholm, Paris and Berlin
this month. If you have a tip on a new place he should visit, e-mail
him here.
Story by Ed Salvato; photos courtesy of Manchester Pride (above and below); Ed Salvato bottom.
I recently had the pleasure of discovering Manchester Pride. I'd heard a lot about how fun it was but thought, a Pride is a Pride is a Pride, right? Wrong! This 10-day celebration of the arts, culture and sense of fun of the LGBT community really is one of the best Pride events I've ever attended. It seems to have just the right balance of really fun events, cultural events and even a stirring candlelit vigil to honor those taken away from us by HIV and AIDS.
Here are a few photos so you can get a sense the experience, but the best way to really do that is to plan now to attend. It's held the last week in August to coincide with a national bank holiday. It's especially fun to discover something new about England if you've already visited London or elsewhere in the United Kingdom. And the best part is the Mancs or Mancunians, as the locals are known: They are incredibly hospitable hosts!
I've written a short guide for enjoying Manchester beyond Pride. Click here to see it. For more official gay and lesbian trip-planning information from the Visit Manchester tourism folks, click here.
Getting there gay
To get to Manchester, I flew direct on American Airlines in business, which really is the only way to travel to Europe or any destination that requires an overnight flight, and discovered that the American's gay and lesbian employee Group, GLEAM, was founded in 1994, thus celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. AA.com/rainbow, their dedicated LGBT-specific website, founded in 2006 and also a first for any major carrier, is still going strong. It's a great place to find exclusive offers for gay and lesbian travelers.
In addition to these, AA boasts a whole slew of LGBT-related firsts, like being the first major airline to implement same-sex domestic partner benefits in 2001. You can read more about it at AA.com/rainbow and book your next gaycation on a demonstrably gay and lesbian friendly airline. Also, it's worth nothing that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Admiral's Club.
Here are 7 random things I loved about my visit to Boston and Provincetown this weekend.
1. The ICA. Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art relocated to its stunning new location in 2006. This multi-level art museum, library, theater and more has always been at the avant garde of Boston's art scene. This visit there were thought provoking videos exploring human emotions. That's me reflected in the mirrors installed in the ICA's entry way below. It's located next to the Provincetown ferry operated by Bay State Cruise Company, so just plan to arrive at the ferry an hour or so before the scheduled departure and enjoy a tour of the museum.
2. The ferry to Boston. There are two companies operating ferries from Boston to Provincetown, including Bay State Cruise Company located on Seaport Blvd next to the World Trade Center and Boston Harbor Cruises from Long Wharf. Both normally take 90 minutes. The minute you step foot on those ferries, you are officially on holiday. The presence of other gay and lesbian travelers drinking (yes, there's a bar on board!) and socializing guarantees a relaxed environment.
3. The arrival into Provincetown harbor. It's beautiful especially at sunset.
4. The breakwater, a manmade stretch of cut bolders from the far west end of Commercial Street (Ptown's main commercial strip) to close to the tip of Ptown's curlicue end. That's Phil on the breakwater above.
5. People watching along Commercial Street. Best place is Spiritus Pizza. You can check out their web cam before going down there to see what the scene is like.
7. Working out at Mussel Beach Health Club. Great equipment and always a sexy crowd of guys who actually work out on vacation that you haven't seen 100 times at your own gym!
Bonus round: another picture from Ptown's harbor. Cool portraits of local Portuguese women on a building on a pier in the harbor.
Photos in order: Courtesy Tony; courtesy Sausalito Floating Homes Tour
For city dwellers, August and September spell escape and, for those that eschew a big, beachy retreat, the cooler climes of a wooded Northern area or Cape Cod breezes can be particularly appealing. Check out a few convenient excuses to skip town that have come across our desk recently.
Out in the Adirondacks August 21st - 23rd Steve Hayes, who starred in Trick, will be hosting this first gay get-a-way by Blue Mountain Lake in upstate New York at what promises to be a intimate and intelligent weekend summer camp for adults. At an inclusive $249, Out in the Adirondacks is also a comparatively affordable -- and easily-accessible, particularly for Bostonites and New Yorkers -- way to bow out of another sweaty, urban weekend.
Carnival August 16 - 22 One of Provincetown's many summertime events, Carnival is a festive annual treat in the grand Rio tradition. Well, maybe a scootch gayer. This year's theme riffs on Woodstock's 30th Anniversary with "Summer of Love: Peace, Love and Go-Go Boots." Expect the usual hilarity and casual fun of live DJs, drag competitions and a parade.
Lily Tomlin Fundraiser for Pilgrim Bark Park August 29th Just a week later, P-Town will go to the dogs. Lil Tomlin, a long-time Provincetown lover will perform as part of a late summer fund-raiser for a much-needed new dog park!
Sausalito Floating Homes Tour September 26 Over in breezy side Sausalito, a waterfront community just North of San Francisco, the Annual Floating Homes tour is an oddball, but fun one-day escape. Wander around these colorful and unique floating houses from 11am to 4pm while just enjoying being out of the city and actually on the water.
One intriguing home, for example, is known as the "Train Wreck" and was built from a half of a 1889 North pacific Railway Pullman car. Registration for the self-guided tour is $35 and organizers recommend advance purchase, as registration tends to fill up quickly. For more, check out the news clip below -- the style isn't great, but the info is good!
Since Gavin Newsom is already taken and Pride madness is behind us, check out these other hotties that San Francisco has to offer this summer. All of these events are heterofriendly, so don’t be afraid to bring straight friends to support the community. There is a mix of opportunities to learn history and celebrate from the Castro district to the Capital.
Beach Blanket Babylon Gay Night September 4 The longest running music revue in theater history pays homage to a huge percentage of its supporters as part of their 35 year anniversary.
Folsom Street Fair September 27 From live entertainment to food it’s all fun at the largest street fair of its kind. All types of gay lifestyles are welcome and will be represented, from leather to fetishes.
Crusin’ the Castro Tours Year-round Kathy Amendola has owned and operated these cultural walking tours through the district since 1989. Locations relevant to Harvey Milk’s history recently added for a fresh perspective.
Hayes Valley Follies Every Saturday Let Miss Galilea school you on the ABC’s of what it means to dress drag. The show starts at 10PM and there is no cover.
Photos in Order: (1,4) copyright DutchAmsterdam.nl, (2) by Quentin Xerxes Zamfir, (3) courtesy Getty Images, (5) courtesy Geert van der Wijk Story by Joseph Alexiou
One of Europe's gay-friendliest capitals, Amsterdam is host to a legendary pride celebration with unique parade floats that, in their utility, top almost any others across the globe: They actually float (!), because Amsterdam's Pride Parade takes place in its majestic canals.
Gay pride weekend is officially July 30 to August 2, with the official opening ceremony on Thursday at the city's famous Homomonument, one of the few permanent civil homages to queerdom. Located in Westemarkt, the 6 p.m. ceremony extends to midnight and will be officiated Frank van Dalen, the sexy former president of COC Nederland and an active member of VVD, a liberal dutch political party. Also unique to Amsterdam is the GreyPride party at Paleis van de Weemoed. This monthly fête celebrating LGBT's who are 40 and older will also take place on Thursday starting at 6 p.m.
However Friday is the "first real party night" of pride, with street parties along some of the many intricately named Amsterdam thoroughfares: the young and trendy gays will collect along Reguliersdwarsstraat and Amstel Westmarkt (near the monument), while women tend to gather along Paardenstraat. Other gay street parties will be going on at Thorbeckeplein and Amstelveld, popular streets for the general population of the city (the last two will be the most mixed of the parties).
The Canal Parade on Saturday, August 1 requires no trucks, but 75 "spectacularly decorated boats with beautiful boys and girls." With over 350,000 spectators from the bridges, banks, and boats on the river, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the party boats will drift by on the Prinsengracht and Amstel River.
Ever the party town, the highlight nighttime event will be Fresh at Club Marcanti—featuring beats by world-famous Israeli DJ Offer Nissim. Powerzone will feature the Amsterdam White Party while Bear Neccessity (muscle bears and lovers) will head to Club Odeon—while all of the Perverts will head over to Church (no, really; the leatherboy party "Perverts" takes place in Club Church).
For those in need of nearby lodging, the four-star Eden Rambrant Square
is very close to the gayborhood and the favored property by NightTours,
an Amsterdam gay nightlife guide (and Pride organizer). Also
recommended is the gay-owned Jolly Carlton. Located on Reguliersdwarsstraat, you can't get much closer to the party than this location.
With nothing but dancing and celebrating planned for 48 hours, the Sunday recovery party is a late afternoon celebration at the Stopera, with more artists and DJs and a very mixed and Amsterdam-ish crowd. For those with the strength still in them, the circuit party Rapido will start at Paradiso from around 5 p.m. until 2 a.m., for those who can't get enough "booze, boys and beats."
This year's "Surf Saga-Themed" event takes place on August 15 at DNA Lounge, and the San Francisco Bay Times has called this yearly event as "Sexy, campy, draglicious, professionally executed, and full of talent."
This year's featured performers include 2008 Solo King winner Papa Don Preach, 2008 reigning troup Fella-Fem, special guests Arty Fishal, Dee Dee Luxe, and the Psychobilly Punk Band.
The judges will rate everything from studliness to sex appeal and fashion sense—this year's panel will include previous titleholders Rusty Hips and Jay Walker, as well as SF scene celebrities Anna Conda (hostess of Charlie Horse at the Cinch, Herr-a-Chick, and Simone DeLaGetto (of Harlem Shake Burlesque).
Door open at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 15 at DNA Lounge—the show will benefit P.A.W.S., a volunteer organization that provides companion animals to people with debilitating diseases. Dress code looks are as follows: Drag of all kinds (faux, king, and queen), Fetish, formal, High Femme, Surfer (and Surfette), and Bikini Beach Babe (of all time periods) and/or "Festive."
Out Traveler G.P.S offers dispatches from the ever-expanding field of gay and lesbian travel -- as soon as we know, you know. Check back frequently for updates, insider information, advice, and offers brought to you by our ever-roving band of gay travel experts and by readers just like you.
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