Gaycation Magazine Issue 14 March 2015 by Gaycation Magazine

Gaycation m a g a z i n e

March 2015 Issue 14

West Side story: St. Pete, Florida The colors of conservative Seoul, South Korea Bangkok, the world’s most gay-friendly city

Spending time Out in the Vineyard

Provincetown in May— why you should go

Gaycation m a g a z i n e

Founder/Editor-in-Chief DJ Doran dj@gaycationmagazine.com Executive Editor Aaron Drake @theaarondrake aaron@gaycationmagazine.com Feast Editor Joe Morales joe@gaycationmagazine.com Webmaster / IT Nic Baslock nic@gaycationmagazine.com Social Media Gregory L. Kiep @gregorykiep Contributors James Careless Aaron Drake @theaarondrake Gregory L. Kiep @gregorykiep Ben Lambert @highsocietyhobo Meg Ten Eyck @dopesontheroad Advertising Department sales@gaycationmagazine.com Subscription Department subscriptions@gaycationmagazine.com Article and Photo Submissions editor@gaycationamagazine.com General Info travel@gaycationmagazine.com Social Media GaycationMagazine GaycationMag +Gaycationmagazine1 GaycationMag gaycationmagazine gaycationmagazine March 2015 Issue 14

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About the above photo: Courtesy of Visit St. Petersburg-Clearwater. In honor of our Executive Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move cross country, we thought it only fitting that we post this image. While the rest of us live elsewhere (buried in snow), this is what Aaron Drake and his husband Jake will get to wake up to each and every day! ENJOY GUYS! Send address changes and subscription info to: Gaycation Magazine 931W 75th St Suite 137-215 Naperville, IL 60565

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Postcards 42 Photos of your favorite gaycation destinations from all over the world. Feature: Interview with Out in the Vineyard

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s This Place... Recommendations of unusual LGBT destinations. St Pete.

Feature: Seoul Street Art 60 Street art from Seoul and the cultural impact. What Was I Thinking? 66 Stories submitted by Gaycationers about crazy experiences. Book It! 72 Recommendations of LGBT friendly hotels and resorts. Hyatt Scottsdale Arizona About the above photo: Hot Air Expeditions takes hot air balloon riders up to see mile-high views of the Greater Phoenix Area. Another hot air balloon can be seen floating in the distance as the sun sets.

CONTENTS

Letter from the Publisher

Gaycationers 78 Photos of people showing off their best gaycation. Classifieds

Advertising Index

The Wire 10 LGBT travel news and information Feature: Bangkok, The Worlds Most 22 Friendly Gay City Wandering the friendly streets of Bangkok. Events 31 Feast 36 An exploration of a traditional local dish and how it connects to the culture. www.gaycationmagazine.com

COLUMNS Gregâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gaycations Adventures in Provincetown, RI

Cruising Corner

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Letter from the Publisher

As winter draws to a close and spring begins to awaken, I am reminded that life, like nature, is about renewal and growth. During the harsh northeast winter this year I have had a chance to slow down and reflect on the importance of appreciating what I have and where I am at the moment. The Cabin has turned out to be a refuge and calming influence for my mind and soul and with each snowstorm, bitter cold temperature, and the sometimes harsh winds here on the mountain, I have learned to allow myself to enjoy the moments, savoring each experience, not an easy task for someone, who is by his very nature, a nomadic spirit. In the past I have often bristled whenever the conversation turned toward settling down and living in one home, one town, one state, one city and one country for any real length of time. After living aboard a sailboat for 3 and half years then travelling across the USA in a motor home, the thought of being land locked scared the hell out of me. But like many things, the anticipation of what was to come was far worse then the reality. I slowly began to realize that although travel is my 6

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passion, having a home to return to afterward, did have certain benefits. The peace and calmness that comes from the mundane of living in a home helped me to appreciate the feeling of freedom that I often experience when I am traveling. I am sure that 2015 will be filled with exciting adventures both home and abroad and I hope that I will remember to slow down and remind myself to LIVE my life in the moment and while I am on the journey. Someone once told me that toward the end of our lives, nobody has ever said that they wish they could have spent one more moment at work or in the office. Hard work is admirable and in most cases needed, but if in the process of working we forget to live our lives to the fullest, then I ask you, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the point? It is my hope that Gaycation Magazine reminds you that there is a big world out there and it is inviting you to explore it. Whether it is in your own backyard or halfway across the globe, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just dream your life, live it!

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PROVINCETOWN your vacation just got sexier

PTOWN.ORG

The Wire

LGBT travel news and information, ranging from new hotel/resort openings to cruise itineraries and travel planning tips and products and services that we like

photo courtesty of https://instagram.com/mrtin_/

The Wanderlust Gene: Why Some People Are Born To Travel by Dan Scotti As told on one psychology blog, the inherent urge to travel can be traced back to one gene, which is a genetic derivative of the gene DRD4, which is associated with the dopamine levels in the brain. ...Assuming that all forms of human life originated in Africa, Chaunsheng Chen, who conducted a study in 1999, supported the premise that “the DRD4-7r form of the gene [is] more likely to occur in modern day societies where people migrated longer differences from where we first originated in Africa many thousands of years ago.” ...According to Dobbs, the mutant form of the DRD4 gene, 7r, results in people who are “more likely to take risks; explore new places, ideas, foods, relationships, drugs, or sexual opportunities,” he went on to say that bearers of this gene, “generally embrace movement, change, and adventure.” ...When compared to sedentary populations, 10

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or those who have stayed in the same region for most of their existence, members of present day migratory populations – those with a history of relocating, over time – tend to carry the 7r gene much more commonly. Dobbs goes on to highlight a more statistically sound study, conducted a little over a decade later, which supports the notion that 7r, in conjunction with a second genetic variant (2r), “tends to be found more frequently than you would expect by chance in populations whose ancestors migrated longer distances after they moved out of Africa.” ...With regard to humans, there are a few differences within our limbs and brains that can be distinguished from our most common ancestors, the apes – “such as legs and hips that let us walk long distances; clever, clever hands; and an even cleverer brain that grows far more slowly but much larger than other ape brains,” explains Dobbs. www.gaycationmagazine.com

While these differences allow us, as a species, to be better suited to travel long distances and explore creatively – our genetic makeup is still almost identical to that of apes, despite the visual differences in our anatomy. You can find the original article here: www.elitedaily.com/life/culture/wanderlust-genepeople-born-travel/953464

seats, dated lounges, and subpar catering. ...Just as importantly for business travelers, carriers have added flights, making it easier for passengers to have a meeting in London or Paris and immediately return to New York. ...Air France, American, British Airways, Delta, and United may bleed a small number of pricesensitive travelers to La Compagnie, but they’re more concerned about losing share to each other than to a niche startup. ...One is OpenSkies, which operates 757s between New York and Paris with both a luxurious business class (with fully flat seats) and a premium economy section with two-by-two seating similar to La Compagnie's. You can find the original article here: www.cntraveler.com/stories/2015-02-27/lacompagnie-the-airline-that-may-finally-makebusiness-class-to-europe-affordable

Photo credit Airside Mobile

Photo Courtesy La Compagnie

The Airline That May Finally Make Business Class to Europe Affordable by Brian Sumers Startup airline La Compagnie admits that it's "not the best," but super-low fares and service that's just good enough make it an intriguing new option for travelers. ...In April, La Compagnie will begin flying between Newark and London’s Luton Airport with introductory fares of $1,007 round trip—a fare that's better than coach on some airlines. ...Before the global recession, four airlines— Eos, Maxjet, Silverjet and L'Avion—tried a similar all-business-class model, offering a better product than legacy carriers, which at the time had angled www.gaycationmagazine.com

Finally! You can now clear customs using an app on your phone by Nick Vivion Yep, you read that right: you can now clear that painfully long, mind-bogglingly frustrating customs line using an app on your phone — though you still might have to tip toe around speaking with the (alleged) humans at customs. The app is called Mobile Passport App, and has been in trials at Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson Gaycation Magazine

airport since last August. Apparently the powersthat-be were pleased with its performance, as it’s now also available at Miami International Airport as well. The app is available for both iOS and Android, and works to speed up the information that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) needs to process international arrivals. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, or a Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian passport and either B1 or B2 visa status. Built by a third party, Airside Mobile, in partnership with CBP and Airports Council International, the app: lets you skip the line at US airports for Custom and Border Protection (CBP). Just fill out your profile and answer CBP’s questions – then go straight to the “Mobile Passport Control” express lane at the airport! Clever use of the #MobilePassport hashtag makes it certain that there will be plenty of conversation on Twitter about the new app. And as long as there aren’t that many people using it, the lines should be short — at least for now. Hopefully the elimination of the time spent filling out the questionnaire finally means a tech fix to a painful part of arriving back into the United States.

A glass walkway which gives visitors a bird's eye view of traffic has been unveiled at London's Tower Bridge. Tourists can test their head for heights by venturing on to the structure which soars 42m (138ft) above the Thames. The £1m walkway is 11m long and gives visitors a unique viewpoint of the world-famous bridge lifting, as well as the traffic and boats below. The West Walkway was unveiled with the East Walkway opening next month. Christopher Earlie, the business and marketing manager from the bridge, said: “The opening of Tower Bridge marked the dawn of a legendary feat of engineering creating what is considered by many as the most famous bridge in the world. “For the first time ever, visitors will be able to experience a never-seen-before viewpoint of London - the Thames, road and pedestrian life, all moving at pace 42 metres below.” This year marks Tower Bridge’s 120th birthday, following its opening on 30 June 1894 by the Prince of Wales, who was later crowned King Edward VII. You can find the original article here:

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-29985906

Photo courtesy of the BBC

You can find the original article here: www.roadwarriorvoices.com/2015/02/27/finallynow-you-can-clear-customs-using-an-app-on-yourphone

Tower Bridge unveils glass walkway above River Thames Photo courtesy of the BBC

Photo courtesy of the BBC

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ainbowTourism.com

Destinations, Accommodations, Tours, Events & Services

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Gregâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gaycations

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May is the Best Month in Provincetown?!

By: Gregory L Kiep

Oh Ptown. A fabulous summer destination for thousands of visitors each year who clammer to the beaches, tea dances, and fabulous shopping and restaurants. No one can question the beauty of Ptown during the summer months with long days and so much to do. But what about the “early season” in Provincetown? May is really the start of the season to most locals where businesses emerge from Winter hibernation and start getting under swing. So why do you want to get to Provincetown in May? 5 Reasons. 1. Opening Parties One of the most fun things to do in Provincetown is attending the opening parties of the many restaurants, bars, and boutiques in town. Throughout the month of May, each place opens up and invites guests to sample their menu selections and tasty cocktails. It is a great way to meet business owners and those who live in town year round. You don’t want to miss it, trust me. 2. Rates Hotel rates are lower in May so you can get some great deals before the season really kicks off. There is a pleasant calmness to town where 80% of things are open but it does not have that July 4 busyness. Hotels are competitive this time of year meaning great rates for guests. I love the Cape Colony Inn which has insanely comfortable beds and is always competitive on price - especially in May. You can also get some great deals in the local boutiques. 3. Weather OK, some may fight me on this one but the weather this time of year can be simply perfect. No, you may not be able to sunbathe everyday, but it www.gaycationmagazine.com

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can be perfect to walk around, go whale watching, or go out in the evening with a light jacket. It really varies so come prepared but be ready for some beautiful weather. 4. Entertainment You can see all the shows of the season before your friends! And, they are typically less busy earlier in the season meaning you can get tickets and a more personal experience. Find out what Miss Richfield 1981 is up to this seasonâ&#x20AC;Ś. 5. You Need A Vacation Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call it what it is! At the end of the day, Provincetown is still one of the best vacation spots on the planet and offers a variety of things to do for anyone. Catch a show, jump on a boat, have a cocktail, enjoy a bike ride through the dunes, or just relax. Ptown is the quintessential vacation spot, no matter the time of year.

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About Greg Greg travels the world from one gaycation to another, all the way from Iceland to Mykonos. Whether a speedo-filled beach or a cultural excursion, he has been around the world once or twice! He funnels this expertise into his work as one of the premier marketing consultants for the LGBT community. Based between Los Angeles and Boston, he goes from coast to coast working with events and companies to propel their brands and social following. You can find out more about him at www.GregoryKiep.com.

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Un rendez-vous élégant L’escale française par excellence, que ce soit pour des vacances ou un voyage d’affaires. Dans le confort luxueux d’une demeure historique située en plein centre-ville de Saint-Pierre, à 200 mètres du traversier. Une expérience exquise vous attend.

For a holiday, getaway or business trip... NSP is the quintessential French experience. Indulge yourself in modern luxuries. In the centre of town and a mere 200 meters from the ferry terminal our heritage building is a haven of elegance. An exquisite experience awaits you.

À Nuits Saint-Pierre le petit déjeûner est inclus At Nuits Saint-Pierre, breakfast is included

orial du To rrit

isme ur

Prix Te

Une petite faim? Besoin d’un cadeau ou d’un souvenir? A tad hungry? Need a gift or a souvenir? Rendez-vous au rez-de-chaussée de l’hôtel aux Délices de Joséphine Visit Les Délices de Joséphine on the main floor of the hotel

10 rue du Général Leclerc, BP 4445, 97500 Saint-Pierre et Miquelon 011 508 41 20 27 | 011 508 55 59 82 (cell)

nuitssaintpierre.com info@nuitssaintpierre.com

vos hôtes

Mermaid and Merman Statue, Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Photo Courtesy of “Chinatown bangkok” by Jacob Siverskog - Uploaded by Jabba. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

Bangkok. The World’s Most Gay Friendly City by Ben Lambert

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I turned around to find a 5” white, very

anatomically detailed, dildo in my face. While not something I’m unaccustomed to, I was surprised that it was happening smack in the middle of the brightly lit, crowded sidewalk. I was even more surprised by the fact that behind the dildo was a little Thai grandma asking, “You like? You want, yes?” I finally recovered and politely declined. Two weeks later, I’m still in Bangkok and I can honestly say that I’ve felt more comfortable being out and proud here than in many other western cities. In fact, Bangkok just might be the world’s most gay friendly city. I know it sounds a bit crazy but bear with me a few minutes while I tell you all the reasons this should be your next gaycation destination. First, let’s get the boring but important legal bits out of the way. Homosexual acts are completely legal in Thailand. In fact, they’ve been legal since the government repealed their anti-gay laws in 1957! That puts them 25 years ahead of England, which decriminalized in 1982 and 36 years ahead of Australia (1993). As for the United States, well we only fully eliminated anti gay sex laws in 2003 and it only took years of litigation and a Supreme Court ruling. Let me repeat that for all of you gaybies out there, as of 2003 (a mere 12 years ago), it was still a crime in several states for you to have sex with another guy. Thais are renowned for being super friendly people and Thailand is even touted as the “Land of Smiles”. I must say it is true. The people here are incredibly friendly and that friendliness extends to the LGBT community. In fact, my experience with a local, 70-year-old cab driver pretty much sums it up. When he discovered I was American, he was insanely happy and excitedly informed me, “I work in American GI bar during Vietnam War!! Love America.” He was even more excited when I gave him an address in Silom, near the gay bars. “Ohhhhh. You go bar gay!” he exclaimed, winking and giving me a thumbs up. “YEAH! You have good time!” www.gaycationmagazine.com

Photo Courtesy of “Thai Woman at Silk looms Jim Thompson House photo D Ramey Logan” by WPPilot - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

I wonder if he was married to the dildo lady… As a foreign observer, Bangkok today feels very open and accepting of the LGBT community. The Thais seem to take a “live and let live” approach to life, which I can totally respect. There is a small, but thriving and always packed gay district in Silom with loads of bars and clubs, mostly dedicated to gay males. Take a stroll through Soi 2 or Soi 4 any night and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven – you won’t find a single nongay establishment in the place and the streets are overflowing with gay men. Many of them insanely hot and several of them scantily clad.

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Getting around

Hotels

Bangkok’s metro system is fairly straightforward though there are some lines that require separate passes. The primary lines are referred to as the BTS system there are two lines to this part and they run above ground. There is also the underground MTS (the actual “metro”) and another rail line that runs on the northern side of the city out to the international airport. Overall it is fairly easy to navigate. Unfortunately, the Bangkok metro system covers only a small portion of the city, so if you’re on a strict budget best to stick to the areas covered by or somewhat close to the transit system. That said, taxis here are relatively cheap and run on meter, pretty much like any city in the US. However, be aware that even once you’re in the car the driver can refuse to take you where you want to go. Motorcycle taxis are an even cheaper and really fun option. Avoid Tuk-Tuks, while they can be fun they’ll charge you twice the price of a metered taxi.

Super Budget: Phiman Riverview Guesthouse, Samsen Soi 5, Wat-Sampraya District. Roughly a 15-minute walk from Khao San Road, this basic guesthouse is tucked away down a maze of alleyways in a quiet, residential area behind Wat Sampraya. Phiman is literally right on the river’s edge with stunning views of Rama VII Bridge and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. The common area is an open air platform within spitting distance of the water. The place is very basic, but for about $4.50/night for a dorm bed it’s understandable. The dorm is a bamboo and grass hut, with fans, mosquito nets and under bed lockable storage areas provided. They also have private rooms for rent at very reasonable rates. One drawback is the “curfew” – the owner shuts down the common area promptly at 11 pm and gets extremely upset if anyone is found there after hours. Look for the purple arrows chalked on the sidewalk and the randomly placed signs pointing the way. If all else fails, stop at one of the food

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Photo Courtesy of “Bangkok Night Wikimedia Commons” by Benh LIEU SONG - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

stands or shops on Soi 5. It’s the only guesthouse around so everyone knows where it is. Budget: Oldtown Hostel Bangkok, 1048-1054 Chareonkrung 28, Bang Rak District. Upon entering the massive lobby/common area, you’ll question whether you’re in the right place and, if so, how in the hell can the place only charge $11/ night for a dorm bed. This place is unquestionably the nicest hostel I have ever seen anywhere in the world. The building itself is a wonderfully cared for, huge colonial building with loads of character. The aforementioned lobby/common area is massive, airy and comprised of several distinct spaces. There are plush, tufted leather chairs, reminiscent of the English gentleman’s library and a billiards table. Communal (think German beer hall) style tables border the generous kitchen area and look out upon the outdoor seating area, complete with swing. It is an absolutely amazing place and will be my first choice every time I return to this amazing www.gaycationmagazine.com

city. Oldtown is a 15-minute walk south of Hua Lumphong station (Bangkok’s main train station). Just follow the canal south, sticking to the left hand side. Then when you come to the major, three way, triangle-like intersection, turn left. It’s less than 50 meters away on the right. Luxe: Aetas Bangkok, 49 Phloenchit Road, Soi Ruamrudee, Lumpini Pathumwan Starting at around $144/night for the “Superior Double Room” Aetas is definitely on the higher end of the scale. This place is best defined as a business hotel (I got to roam around it thanks to a flight attendant friend). Aetas boasts a fitness center with sauna and spa services and a nice, if small, seventh floor, outdoor pool, surrounded by an open-air bar/restaurant. If you’ve got a bit of cash to splash around, then this place is definitely worth a night or two. You want the location near the American Embassy, just east of Lumpini Park. It’s also only two BTS stops from Siam, where you will find hundreds of shops in several large, new malls. Gaycation Magazine

Photo Courtesy of “Ratchadamnoen King80 arch” by Lerdsuwa - self-made. EOS 400D + EF-S 10-22/3.5-4.5.. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Dining and Drinking

Silom Society is a gay café located right on Silom Road near Sala Daeng BTS station. Free WiFi, good food, reasonably priced coffee and an outdoors seating area are all reasons to frequent Silom Society. It also has a gay club upstairs, so cute gay guys will be constantly flowing through, yet another reason to grab a seat here.

Street food. I don’t care how posh you think you are, if you come to Bangkok and don’t eat at least 1/3 of your meals from a street food vendor then you haven’t really experienced this city. For Thais, street food is an integral part of daily life. You’ll find even the most basic of places packed with locals during peak hours. Even if the menu is exclusively in Thai, just be brave and point. The food is delicious and cheap. You won’t be disappointed.

Tom n Toms is a coffee shop chain located throughout Bangkok. Prices are reasonable, the coffee and food are decent and their cafes are comfortable. Plus, free WiFi.

Crepes & Co. is a French expat owned restaurant serving up delicious salads along with sweet and savory stuffed crepes in an elegant but casual dining setting. They also have non-crepe offerings, though I can’t imagine why on earth you’d even visit that part of the menu. Two locations: Ploenchit/ Lumpini (near Siam) and Thonglor.

Full Moon Food Truck. Holy mother of god, this place is a meat eating foody paradise. Two locations (Onnut Market and Ram Intra) offer up delicious, US style burgers, cheesesteaks and mac & cheese. The veritable food genius behind this food mecca is an American expat and former executive chef of a 5-star New York restaurant.

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Photo Courtesy of “Khao San Road at night by kevinpoh” by Kevin Poh from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Bangkok’s Khaosan Road. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Majestic Grande Hotel. Head here for Sunday brunch. You’ll get a smorgasbord of buffet offerings ranging from salads and seafood to steaks and dessert, both Thai and Western style. All in a pleasant atmosphere for the ridiculously low price of $12. Rocket Coffee Bar is a super cute coffee shop in the Bang Rak district, (just outside of Silom proper) with equally cute waiters. This small place is listed as one of Bangkok’s most popular coffee places, with good reason. The coffee selections are wideranging and the food is absolutely delicious. Walk into this place and you will be forgiven if you think for a moment you’re in London, New York or Paris. The bottom line is this, regardless of what your ideal type of gaycation is, Bangkok is definitely worth a visit. And, if you’re like me (or most of the foreign guys I’ve met in Thailand so far), you won’t want to leave. www.gaycationmagazine.com

Ben is a former attorney, avid foodie, full-time slowmad and cultural explorer. He likes street food, street art, photography and random off-beat adventures. In his spare time he writes, maintains a blog and does consulting work. Find Ben at www.highsocietyhobo.com Gaycation Magazine

A beautiful Key West sunset

EVENTS

Here are some events and shows Gaycation Magazine will be attending or will have a presence. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always adding more and looking for that special event for us to be at. If you would like us to attend your event, please let us know at travel@gaycationmagazine.com SEE YOU SOON!

May 14 - 17, 2015 Kamp Key West www.kampkeywest.org

August 13 - 16, 2015 Tropical Heat Key West www.tropicalheatkw.com

May 17 - 24, 2015 Puerto Vallarta Gay Pride www.vallartapride.com

September 10 - 13, 2015 Key West Womenfest www.womenfest.com

June 5 - 7, 2015 OlaGirls, Lesbian Getaway www.olagirls.com/en

October 27, 2015 Key West Headdress Ball

www.headdressballkeywest.com

June 10 - 14, 2015 Key West Pride www.keywestpride.org

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Spring is HERE! Ogunquit, Maine

The Watcher of the Woods

Summer in Salem! Go Out Loud Ushers Summer Sea Cruise Events For EVERYONE This Summer! For the latest events, merch, news & tickets :

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Dining on the Durian: A True Test of Courage by James Careless

Every region of the world has its own gastronomic oddity. Typically, it is an item that inspires passionate enthusiasm in the locals, and acute nausea in tourists. In Singapore, this oddity is the Durian. It is a much-loved yet revolting fruit that grows on trees in Southeastern Asia. Resembling a thorn-covered green football in shape and size, the Durian’s “fruit” consists of five soft, yellowish sections within the husk. In Singapore and other Southeast Asia 36

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Feast

An exploration of a traditional local dish and how it connects to the culture, with recipes and recommnedations where to eat.

cities, the Durian is so beloved, it is called the “King of Fruit”. (Personally, I think the thorns are a warning.) Since the Durian smells so bad – even when still inside its husk – you are not allowed to take one on Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). They’ve even got signs posted to this effect; lumping the Durian together with smoking, eating/drinking, and carrying flammable goods on the MRT’s trains and buses. www.gaycationmagazine.com

Famed world gastronome Anthony Bourdain aptly describes the Durian’s vile aroma, “It smelled like you’d buried somebody holding a big wheel of Stilton in his arms, then dug him up a few weeks later.” I think when Anthony said this, he was in a charitable mood. So why does the Durian smell so foul? The German Research Center for Food Chemistry took some into their labs to find out. According to their paper in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the Durian’s aroma contains “44 odoractive compounds”. They included scents such as caramel, honey, sulfury onion, soup seasoning, skunk, and rotten egg/onion/cabbage. The reason for all these scents? Using a mass spectrometer, the scientists discovered that the Durian’s pungency is caused by “50 discrete www.gaycationmagazine.com

compounds in the fruit,” said Smithsonian magazine. “Those compounds included eight that hadn’t been detected in durians before—and four compounds that had been completely unknown to science.” In my humble opinion, we’d be better off if these four compounds were still unknown. But that’s just me. As for the Durian’s taste? Well, speaking from first-person experience, start with the sharp, salty (and acrid-smelling) taste of dry Lipton’s Onion Soup powder. Add in the sickeningly-sweetness of banana-flavored Amoxicillin antibiotic liquid medicine; the stuff your mother gave you when you were very ill as a child. Then blend in the sweaty acridness of men’s gym socks, and you’ve pretty much got the Durian taste experience. Except for the fact that the Durian’s fruit is mushy, of Gaycation Magazine

course. Somewhat like a rotten mango. A rotten, discolored, slimy, decaying mango. That’s right: The Durian is a triple threat of gastronomic ghastliness. It smells bad, tastes worse, and chews like something evil and decayed. As you chew it, your brain screams, “it must be rotten and toxic! Spit it out! Spit it out!” Wait: That’s not all! Do you remember as a child being forced to eat something awful like boiled onions? If you do, you’ll recall that as awful as the first mouthful was, succeeding mouthfuls generally became easier to stomach as your brain learned to ignore the flavor/texture. As soon as you got to this stage, you knew that all you had to do was power-chow through the onions as fast as possible, and it would soon be over. Well, you can forget this strategy when eating Durian. As I found out the hard way, the Durian is the only substance on Earth that tastes worse with each succeeding bite. I don‘t know why; maybe there’s so much awfulness in the flesh, that

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a residual builds up in your mouth. Power-chowing through it is not an option. Of course, there are some who experience an epiphany when eating Durians. They are the ones who become Durian devotees despite everything I’ve described above. Bourdain is one of these devotees, even though the only word he uses to describe what makes the Durian delectable is “indescribable.” I don’t find this helpful. But I do endorse Bourdain’s judgement of the Durian’s after-aroma: “Your breath will smell as if you’d been Frenchkissing your dead grandmother.” Okay; so clearly I am no fan of the Durian. So why should I devote so much space in the Feast section talking about such a foul fruit? The answer: Because the Durian is so prized by Singaporeans, the ability for visitors to eat it without gagging is a popular test of “face’. If you can do this successfully, you will gain great “face” with the Singaporeans. If not, you will reveal yourself to

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be just another full-of-hot-air Westerner not worth taking seriously. I was lucky: I had read up about Singaporean customs and norms in the now out-of-print book “Culture Shock: Singapore” – still available on Amazon.com for a pittance – and was forewarned about the cultural significance and culinary awfulness of the Durian. So when our local hosts took us into a Durian fast-food joint – yes, they make all kinds of things out of Durians! – I knew what I was up against. Still, I only managed three bites, because the concept of something that tastes ghastly on the first bite tasting increasingly worse with each succeeding bite was a new concept to me. Nevertheless, the fact that I had not gagged on the first bite, and managed to keep a straight face without my eyes watering won me the face I had been coveting. If you go to Singapore or other Southeast Asia locales, chances are that you will encounter the Durian. If you do, and find yourself politely “double dog-dared” to try one, consider yourself warned! The good news is that eating Durian will not kill you. The bad news is that you may wish it would, and quickly – before you have to take another bite.

James Careless is an experienced travel journalist with credits at the Huffington Post, Montreal Gazette, National Post, and OUTVisions magazine. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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2014

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MIAMI’S LGBT VOICE

We warmly welcome you to the LGBT Visitor Center, the proud voice of all things gay in Miami and the Beaches. We’re located in Old City Hall in the heart of South Beach at 1130 Washington Ave., Suite 100, Miami Beach, FL 33139. To plan your next vacation in fabulous Miami Beach, go to GoGayMiami.com or call us at 305/397-8914. MAR Winter Party

APR Miami Beach Gay Pride Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

MAY Aqua Girl Sizzle Miami

JUN Out in the Tropics

JUL Miami Beach Bruthaz Conference

OCT Orgullo

LGBT VISITOR CENTER •1130 WASHINGTON AVENUE, 1ST FLOOR, MIAMI BEACH • GoGayMiami.com This ad made possible through the support of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. For a complete listing of events, please visit GoGayMiami.com Additional support generously provided by:

NOV White Party

Postcards

Palm Springs Art Museum

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway View from the Lookout

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Aaron at the Palm Springs Sign

Show off your Gayation! Send in your vacation photos (with captions) and we’ll put ‘em here and be envious of the great time you had!

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway View

Palm Springs Liberace House

Phoenix Pride LGBT Center

Red Jeeps Desert Adventure Gay Icons Tour Palm Springs

Spending time Out in the Vineyard We took a moment to catch up with Out in the Vineyard Founders Gary Saperstein and Mark Vogler to discuss wine, food, and their popular wine events. Here’s what they had to say about Wine Country and the LGBT Community

dates. We found it curious that no one was marketing to the gay community. Rural Sonoma is incredibly gay friendly, not to mention is a luxury travel destination, and we can be out in these beautiful places in the valley. We can be OUT in the vineyard. After a couple of years of emails and phone calls, we decided it was time to help the gay community discover wine country.

GM: What made you start Out In The Vineyard? OITV: We both love the wine country lifestyle – friends sharing great wine, food & outdoor living. We wanted to find a way to share this with the LGBT community, and let them know that gays don’t have to live in the gay ghettos of the world anymore. In addition, we both were getting a lot of inquiries from gay friends across the country asking for our recommendations of wine brands that support the LGBT community, what wineries, restaurants & hotels they could feel comfortable visiting with their husband, wives, partners and 44

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GM: Why isn’t the Wine Industry marketing to the LGBTQ community? OITV: This is the $64,000 dollar question, which we still find incredibly curious. The Beer and Spirits industries figured out the value of the LGBT community 20 years ago, but wine STILL hasn’t committed with any real effort to reach out to the community. We spent a couple years scratching our heads, looking at the industry wondering why this was. Is there an engrained homophobia in the industry? The wineries themselves seem very welcoming; however, BRAND teams didn’t seem interested. We determined that there are a couple factors in wine, which are different than those in the beer and spirits industries. First, wine is agriculture. It’s farming. It’s an industry built on tradition, and until recently – with the launch of the Big Gay Wine Train - there were no out winemakers that we knew of. Secondly, the three-tier distributor network has a VERY tight grip on the wine industry – especially the big producers – who aren’t fond of direct consumer engagement and can make it very difficult on wine producers to allocate marketing dollars outside of direct trade support. It’s foolish because the LGBT www.gaycationmagazine.com

community does have more discretionary income than the straight consumer and is incredibly loyal to brands that support us. GM: How did Gay Wine Weekend get started? OITV: After 2 years of talking to wineries about the value of the LGBT consumer, we were approached by one of the large wine companies who asked us how they could drive traffic to one of their wineries. This was in 2008, the economy was crashing, it was June, their last month of the fiscal year and they really needed to get their visitor numbers up. We suggested a T-Dance. They said “Great! Let’s do it!...What’s a T-Dance?” After a quick review of Gay 101, they committed – but only gave us 3 weeks to market the very first Twilight T-Dance. We weren’t sure what the turnout would be with www.gaycationmagazine.com

such a short lead-time, but 350 LGBT wine lovers turned up! At that point, we KNEW we needed to help the gay community navigate wine country. The next year, again, Twilight T-Dance was a big success, however, we had guests who had traveled to Sonoma from outside of the Bay Area asking to do more, so we expanded to a full 3-day weekend of events and Gay Wine Weekend was born! GM: Tell us about the 3 days of events that take place during GWW? OITV: For Gay Wine Weekend, we really wanted to create events that the LGBT community couldn’t find in any urban center or gay ghettos of the world. You can go to any gay club – or straight for that matter – and dance to a great DJ spinning great music, however, what you can’t do, Gaycation Magazine

is dance to a great DJ spinning great music, outside in a vineyard! You can only do that at Gay Wine Weekend. We also host very intimate winemaker dinners with 16-20 people, so guests get a chance to get to know the winemaker over a beautifully wine paired dinner. It’s reflective of the Sonoma lifestyle, where locals have dinner parties all the time, and with so many winemaker friends, there usually is one right there with us. We like to share this kind of regular Sonoma experience with the LGBT community. In addition, we have intimate vineyard and winery tours, VIP wine receptions, and Gay Wine Auction and Recovery Brunch to raise much needed funds for the local AIDS support organization, Face to Face, Sonoma Country AIDS Network. GM: What has made your Big Gay Wine Train event so successful? OITV: Our Big Gay Wine Train event is now in 46

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it’s fifth year. It is the first event we did that brought Out In The Vineyard much media attention. The main reason being is that it was literally the first time anywhere that someone was bringing a group of LGBT Winemakers & Vintners together. Winemaker dinners happen all the time here in Wine Country, but when was the last time you were at a winemaker dinner with all gay winemakers!?!?! That, and 200 Gays on a train! Now that makes for a fun evening of food & wine! GM: Has wine country embraced Out in the Vineard? OITV: We started the company during the downturn in the economy when many businesses were looking to focus on niche markets. We were saying, “Hello, we are here and have a group that loves food, wine & the ambiance of Wine Country!” We believe that the industry is truly starting to see that the LGBT Market is a great target audience. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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However, The City of Sonoma has embraced what we are bringing to the area and every year has flown the gay pride flag over our City Hall during Gay Wine Weekend. That and a proclamation from our City Council in support of our endeavors. We’re very proud of both of those accomplishments. GM: How did your Out in the Vineyard Radio Show get started? OITV: Our local Radio Station, KSVY 91.3 approached us over 2 years ago and said that they thought it was time for an LGBT themed radio show and that we would be the perfect hosts for this venture. At first, we both were like, “we have enough on our plates and don’t need another thing thrown into the mix!” Then after giving it more thought, mixed with the fact that the station was going to advertise for hosts of such a show we thought one, how could anyone else do this but us and secondly, and most important, that if we could create a show and have even one listener 48

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out there who thought they were alone in this world because of being gay and they tuned in to our show and realized that they were not alone, then that was worth doing the show! It has been a truly rewarding experience. Yes, a lot of work goes into putting on an hour show each week, but totally worthwhile. We are very proud of the show. GM: So, ARE there gay winemakers? OITV: Yes, there are! And each year we tend to bring out a few more!!! It has been fun working with these winemakers who we develop relationships with and they get to truly be themselves when they come on the wine train or we bring them a large gay group to their wineries. They don’t get the opportunity to do that much in their careers. GM: What do you see as the changing face of LGBT travel to Sonoma County? OITV: Back in the day – the late 1970’s and 80’s – the gay destination in Sonoma County was www.gaycationmagazine.com

the little, tucked away town of Guerneville. It was a place where gays could go and feel safe to be themselves. However, with society becoming more accepting of the LGBT community, we no longer have to go to hidden places to be ourselves. Unfortunately, most of Guerneville’s gay resorts are either closed or have become straight resorts that don’t cater to the LGBT traveler, so we are now heading to Healdsburg or Sonoma. We can be out everywhere in Sonoma County. We don’t have to hide anymore. We want to be at the best restaurants, out winetasting with our husbands, wives and partners. We don’t want to be cloistered, hidden, away from all the mainstream luxuries the rest of the world enjoys. The LGBT community insists on it. GM: What’s next for Out in the Vineyard? OITV: We are always trying to think of new ideas to bring our audience into the Wine Country! Our goal is to come up with concepts that people can’t do anywhere else BUT in Wine Country. For example with our Twilight T-Dance, which is the signature event of Gay Wine Weekend, we lay down a dance floor in or by a vineyard. One of our goals is to increase Gay Wine Weekend to a full week of events. There is so much to do, so many places to see and so much wine to drink – and when was the last time you went dancing Out In The Vineyard?

Out In The Vineyard (www.outinthevineyard.com) is an experiential Wine Country Event and Travel company promoting positive LGBT lifestyles and offering luxury itineraries for the discerning gay traveler and our friends. Your Wine Country Hosts Gary Saperstein has been a Sonoma local for the past 16 years having moved from New York. Gary has worked in the restaurant business for over 25 years, where hospitality has been his passion and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. Mark Vogler is a Sonoma County native and spent summers working in a winery in Alexander Valley. Mark attended UCLA Film School and worked in Creative Advertising & Marketing for Columbia and TriStar Pictures. After 10 years in International Business, Mark returned to his roots in Wine Country and joined Fosters Wine Estates.

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Gaycation Magazine brings the world of gay travel to your fingertips. Explore new and familiar gay destinations. Learn what to do, what to eat, and what to wear. All this information wrapped up into a magazine which brings the culture of gay travel to life.

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Submission Guidelines Editorial Features

What was I thinking?: Stories submitted by Gaycationers about crazy experiences that left them scratching their heads and opining, “What was I thinking?”

Cruising Corner: Tips and insights from cruising experts and short stories from our readers about their cruising experiences.

Book It!: Recommendations of LGBT friendly hotels and resorts that help you engage with the identity of a destination.

Feast: An in-depth exploration of a traditional local dish and how it connects tot he culture, with recipes and recommendations where to eat.

There’s This Place: Where to go next? Gaycation Magazine’s recommendations of unusual LGBT destinations off the beaten path.

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Any articles, photos or information submitted to Gaycation Magazine become the sole property of Gaycation Magazine. The views and opinions stated throughout the magazine are not necessarily the view and opinion of Gaycation Magazine. Gaycation Magazine and its affiliates will not knowingly publish or advertise information, which is fraudulent or misleading. The Publisher reserves the right to edit, limit, revise, or reject any submission without cause. Gaycation and its affiliates assue no financial responsibility for typographical errors. If any arrors are found, please notify Gaycation Magazine immediately. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Publisher. Pay rates can be found on our website. Please send images in hi-res and articles to editor@gaycationmagazine.com

There’s This Place

St. Pete’s

by Aaron Drake

With gay marriage finally coming to the Sunshine state, it’s high time LGBT travelers take a closer look at what the state has to offer outside of the familiar LGBT hubs like Fort Lauderdale and Key West. On Florida’s west coast, St. Petersburg is a warm, inviting city that adds a rich history to the usual white sandy beaches and crystal waters. Growing up in white-wintered Ohio, Florida always had the appeal of warm weather and busy beaches. No secret that it’s the vacation spot for folks from the Midwest and Northeast. However, I was happy to find St. Pete as a little diamond in the usual tourist trap. It is a place that gays and lesbians have fully immersed themselves in order to make a beach paradise that is in turn very welcoming of everyone. When I first arrived in St. Pete and drove through downtown, I knew this was going to be quite a different experience than other places I visited in the state. Downtown St. Petersburg is lined with buildings from the 1920s, giving the city an older vibe. The detailed architecture and brickpaved streets add character and a respect for the town’s history and obvious European influences. Close to downtown is Beach Drive Inn, a cozy bed and breakfast in the city’s Waterfront District. The inn’s six rooms are individually themed, each providing a unique experience suitable for different travelers. Janna, the innkeeper, sweetly told me I had a sunny disposition, so would do well in the inn’s Montego Bay room. Of course, the Montego room has its own storied past—the room has a reputation of being haunted. “Montego Mary” 56

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named by paranormal experts on the A&E show Psychic Kids, likes to make her presence known by moving the rocking chair in the room. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I haven’t quite decided which), I didn’t encounter Mary during my short stay. Another room is dubbed the Key West Suite, named for Ernest Hemingway, it’s said he would regularly stopover here during his travels to and from Key West. The inn has a light continental breakfast each morning on the first floor, a chance to mingle with other guests there, and wine in the evenings. There’s off-street parking, which is helpful in an area with limited parking and it is pretty much essential to rent a car in St. Pete to get around. One way to get around Downtown quickly and efficiently is to take the Downtown Trolley Loop. Fifty cents will get you a full tour if you go the whole loop. The trolley drivers narrate, each driver giving their own personified spin on the city’s history, or you can jump off at any of the stops. You’ll pass many of downtown’s historic buildings, the St. Pete pier, shopping including the Sundial

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shops that are in the first stages of opening, a variety of restaurants like Red Mesa Cantina and Bella Brava, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the world-renowned Dalí Museum. The Dalí is a mustvisit: a Picasso exhibit was on display while I was in town, providing a provoking look at the connection between Salvador Dalí and Picasso’s works. There isn’t necessarily a “gayborhood” in St. Pete because LGBTs live throughout the city, which speaks volumes about it’s friendliness. Although, the Central Avenue District is home to a smattering of gay-owned shops and restaurants, and the city’s new LGBT Welcome Center which hosts community events and provides resources for the city’s LGBTs. One of the restaurants in the neighborhood, Queenshead Eurobar, was consistently one of the most highly recommended eateries when talking with locals. The restaurant is owned and operated by a gay British couple who transformed the restaurant from its former days as a gas station into a popular eatery with a lovely patio and menu of British fare. Another delicious spot in the neighborhood that came highly recommended is Urban Brew & BBQ. It may not look like much from the outside, but this hole-in-the-wall joint pairs delicious barbecue and Southern-style comfort food with an extensive menu of craft brews. I recommend ordering up the bacon s’more for dessert, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll notice craft breweries are something St. Pete takes seriously. Not far from the Central Avenue District is the city’s sole gay bed and breakfast, Gay St. Pete House. It’s a regular gathering spot for visitors and locals in the community, with a clothingoptional pool and hot tub area. It’s the only spot to brown your buns, but if you’re after a gay spot to soak up some sun, Sunset Beach is St. Pete’s gay beach. Located on the gulf side of the city, visitors can come here any day of the week and no doubt see same-sex couples walking along the shore holding hands, relaxing together in the sand, and frolicking in the waves. If you do venture out to Sunset Beach, Woody’s is a popular spot to have www.gaycationmagazine.com

lunch on the water—the fish tacos are delicious. Gulfport, on the south side of the city, is another interesting neighborhood to visit in St. Pete. You may notice various rainbow-colored objects if you look around. Take a walk by the water, or venture down on a Tuesday morning to explore the Fresh Market set up on the street. The Gulfport Merchants Association welcomes a collection of local restaurants, businesses, live music, and artists every Tuesday. It’s an ideal time to get a taste of St. Pete’s culture and insight into the collection of folks who make the city their home. As for gay nightlife, St. Pete doesn’t skimp on that either. The gay bars are a bit scattered around the city, with several around the Central Avenue District. It depends on what your scene is—pick from the divey Lucky Star Lounge or the Garage, neighborhood hangout Georgie’s Alibi, the more upscale Enigma, or the busier Flamingo Resort. Flamingo is a popular hangout spot on Sunday afternoons that caters to pretty much everyone Gaycation Magazine

in the LGBT community. The resort features three different bar areas (one is the Code Bar, which can get a bit raunchy at night), a courtyard swimming pool, main bar, poolside paradise bar, diner menu, a stage for drag and live entertainment, and of course hotel rooms. Really, no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it in St. Pete. It’s a lovely place to relax, have some fun in the sun, and just be yourself.

Aaron Drake is Executive Editor of Gaycation Magazine. He has contributed to The Advocate, Out Traveler, Man About World and Amtrak Ride With Pride. When he’s not writing and traveling the globe, you can find him at the beach, at the movies, or playing with his two mischievous dogs. Follow his travels and travails on Twitter and Instagram at @theaarondrake. www.gaycationmagazine.com

Gay Travel Planner Beach Drive Inn: www.beachdriveinn.com Gulfport Tuesdays Fresh Market: www.gulfportma.com/gma-events/tuesday-fresh-market 532 Beach Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 LGBT Welcome Center: (727) 822-2244 www.facebook.com/LGBTWelcomeCenter 2227 Central Avenue, Bella Brava: www.bellabrava.com St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 201-4925 204 Beach Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Museum of Fine Art: www.fine-arts.org (727) 895-5515 255 Beach Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Dali Museum: www.thedali.org (727) 896-2667 1 Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Queenshead Eurobar: (727) 823-3767 www.thequeensheadeurobar.com 2501 Central Avenue, Enigma: www.facebook.com/enigmastpete St. Petersburg, FL 33713 1110 Central Avenue, (727) 498-8584 St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727) 235-0867 Red Mesa Cantina: www.redmesacantina.com 128 3rd Street South, Flamingo Resort: www.flamingoresort.com St. Petersburg, FL 33701 4601 34th Street South, (727) 896-8226 St. Petersburg, FL 33711 (727) 321-5000 St. Petersburg Trolley: www.loopertrolley.com The Garage: www.garageoncentral.weebly.com Sundial St. Pete: www.sundialstpete.com 2729 Central Ave 153 2nd Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL 33713 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 258-4850 (727) 851-9500 Gay St. Pete House www.gaystpetehouse.com Urban Brew & BBQ: www.urbanbrewandbbq.com 4505 5th Avenue North, 1939 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 822-8919 (727) 365-0544 Georgie’s Alibi: www.georgiesalibi.com 3100 3rd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 321-2112

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Woody’s: www.woodyswaterfront.com 7308 Sunset Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 (727) 360-9165

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Korean nationalism and traditional Hanok style roofing

7 Pieces of Jaw Dropping Street Art in Hongdae, South Korea by Meg Ten Eyck

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Bright whimsical colors punctuate images around South Korea.

Despite

Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social conservatism, nightlife and art are just as much a part of Korean culture as Kimchi and Hoboks. In my year, teaching ESL in South Korea Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown fond of the Hognik University section of Seoul. Commonly called 62

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Hongdae, this youthful artist hub is the place to be for flowing Cass, street dance parties and excellent street art. The first time I went to Hongdae, I watched a man dressed in a cat costume vomit Soju dangerously www.gaycationmagazine.com

close to my shoes. I looked up in disgust and immediately wanted to turn around and get back on the train, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad I stayed. If I had gotten back on the train, I would have missed out on of the most unique parts of Seoul. www.gaycationmagazine.com

Korea is still an extremely conservative society; things that are normally considered taboo in Korea are openly displayed in Hongdae. You see tattoo parlors, bare shoulders and queer couples holding hands; things that are mundane in the western Gaycation Magazine

Garden flowers are a common theme running along the low hills circling Hongdae.

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As the sun sets, the neighborhood comes to life. Hongik Children’s park is over flowing with the sounds of hip-hop and clanking soju bottles. As I sit on a bench at the park, lights of local bars illuminate the brightly colored building in the park. I watch other queer couples head to local bars and clubs in a country where LGBT people are still largely invisible and I can’t help but feel alive. This abstract style piece is displayed on a stand-alone slab of concrete along the main drag of Hongdae.

world can be scandalous and forbidden in Korea. Some locals come to Hongdae to gawk, but most come to celebrate a freedom that is only found in a handful of neighborhoods through out the country. The freedom is what makes Hongdae stand out from the other areas of Seoul. Hongdae earned its reputation for bouncy freedom and over indulgence because it’s the neighborhood surrounding Hongik University, one of Koreas most prestigious art universities. The influence of youthful excess is found in every nook and cranny of this area. Up and coming musicians performing in front of brightly painted mural walls surrounded by 20 and 30 somethings dressed in the trendiest looks. Hongdae makes me feel like I was transported to a different country. Korea is a country where people often try to blend in, but Hongdae is filled with people not afraid to stand out. Urban and underground cultures are thriving here in a way I haven’t felt in any other area of Seoul.

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Some people see art, others see graffiti, regardless of perspective people are taking notice.

Eyes are the windows to the Seoul. (pun intended)

Meg Ten Eyck is a former LGBT rights activist, currently living in South Korea and traveling the world with her partner Lindsay. She writes about their experiences as a queer couple traveling on her blog Dopes on the Road (www.dopesontheroad.com) and post their travel photos on Instagram @dopesontheroad.

This watercolor style clown shows the Korean emphasis on the innocence of childhood.

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What Was I Thinking? Stories submitted by Gaycationers about crazy experiences that left them scratching their heads and opining, “What was I thinking?”

Utterly Lost in Chiang Mai by Ben Lambert

“Um, we’re almost out of gas,” I told my local friend, Wave, as we pondered whether we should go left or right. “Also, I have no idea where we are.” These are not two things you want to happen simultaneously when working your way through the mountains in northern Thailand. To make matters worse, we didn’t even know how long we’d been

lost. Until that very moment, I (the driver) thought we were on the right path. We’d kicked off our little day trip by heading up the mountains outside of Chiang Mai to visit the famous temple at the top. The temple wasn’t quite our speed, so we set off to visit a Hmong Village—a minority tribe, whose members inhabit the northern areas of Thailand, Laos and other parts of

Southeast Asia. On our way out of the village, a quick consultation with the almighty Google Maps revealed an alternate route down the mountain. It looked easy enough. Go left instead of right and follow the road down, coming out right by Kafe Bannok, an awesome coffee shop I’d discovered two weeks before. It would be perfect. Turns out it wasn’t so easy after all. Somewhere along the way (I still don’t know where), I made a wrong turn. We just continued on obliviously for God knows how long. A few kilometers beyond another tribal village and suddenly the pavement ended, leaving us with only a rough dirt track. At first, we assumed it was just a poorly maintained stretch of road. Unfortunately, it just kept going, becoming narrower and rougher until we were utterly and hopelessly lost—with less than a quarter tank of gas.

“Which way do we go?” I asked. “Uh, right? Maybe that goes down?” So I turned right. The road was rough and extremely narrow. It was clear that this road was rarely used. We hadn’t passed anyone and we hadn’t seen so much as a shack. Finally, after many more guesses about which turn to take and well over an hour, we were finally rewarded with a small sign stating “CM →.” We were on the right track and the way ahead was decidedly downward! We had less than an eighth of a tank left. We shut off the engine and coasted down. The road went on and on and on and on. We nearly crashed into a tree at one point when we discovered the brakes didn’t work as well with the engine off. At another point, we barely made it around a bend without falling off the mountain.

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Finally, hours after we’d started our return trip, we finally emerged from the mountains onto the lovely, flat plains of Chiang Mai. In the distance was a sight worth crying over—a wonderful, thin ribbon of gray—a road! We’d made it! As we headed toward the road, I prayed we had enough gas left to get us there. At least if we ran out on the main road, some sexy Thai boy would surely come to our rescue. After driving as conservatively as possible, we made it to the main road. I immediately knew where we were. I’d been here before. We were on the opposite side of the mountain! We’d gone nearly 60 kilometers off track. Unbelievable. Another 10 minutes passed and a gas station loomed in the distance. As we rolled into the station, the bike died. We’d made it. Barely. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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BOOK IT!

Recommendations of LGBT friendly hotels and resorts that help you engage with the identity of a destination.

Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

By Aaron Drake

Looking for the perfect relaxation destination?

Escape your humdrum daily schedule and prepare for a luxurious desert getaway at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more the speed of what one looks for when booking a trip to unwind and enjoy the precious minutes. As soon as you pull in the drive of the resort, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll feel right at home in Scottsdale, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert and majestic McDowell Mountains. The LGBT-friendly Hyatt

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doesn’t disappoint at its Scottsdale location—in fact, it’s one of its finest. Palm trees hover over the hotel and a giant tiered fountain welcomes guests to the resort. Shops line the drive, including the Solstice Shop, selling Southwest-inspired men and women’s clothing; Canyon Market, a hiking lifestyle store that sells all the gear you’ll need, provides Starbuck’s coffee, squeeze juice and smoothie bar, homemade ice cream, and yummy salads and sandwiches. You’ll also pass the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale’s awardwinning Avania Spa. Inside the front doors, enter into the spacious, two-floor, light-filled lobby—the sun’s rays stream through a smartly designed glass atrium, taking advantage of the fact that the greater Phoenix area is soaked in sunshine for more than 300 days out of the year! Beyond the entrance, the lobby overlooks the rear of the property: Fountain Court, the hotel’s swimming pool complex, a 27-hole golf course, a winding lake, and mountain backdrop. If the scenery hasn’t eased you into paradise, being greeted at check-in with a pear margarita is a definite sign this vacation will be a memorable one. You have arrived. With 493 rooms and a total of twenty-seven acres, luxury and relaxation are key at the Hyatt Scottsdale. The majority of the resort’s traditional rooms and suites are in the Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired main building. You can expect the usual amenities, like Wi-Fi, 37” flat-screen TVs, small www.gaycationmagazine.com

refrigerator, and iPod docking station. Members of the Hyatt Regency club can enjoy additional perks of personalized concierge service that includes a European-style breakfast, light snacks throughout the day, and hors d’oeuvres in the evening, as well as complete access to the resort’s fitness facility and Spa Avania. Off to either side of the resort’s central building are an additional 18 casitas that feature two or four-bedrooms, each with a wet bar, fireplace and Jacuzzi, perfect for bigger groups or longer stays. Since gays love to bring their furry friends, it’s worth noting that Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is a pet-friendly property. The resort welcomes dogs and cats with additional amenities such as treats, toys, and a custom-made Comfy pet bed with advanced reservations and an additional $150 fee. Hyatt’s three on-property restaurants provide a diverse choice of what’s for dinner (or breakfast, brunch, and lunch depending on the time of day), without ever needing to leave the resort. Dine inside or al fresco: SWB, a Southwest-style bistro; Italian Alto ristorante e bar, with its Formaggio & Salumi Cellar selection of artisanal meats and cheeses, singing servers, and award-winning wine; and Noh, a cozy spot to order sashimi, sushi and Japanese cuisine. For a fresh take on the dining experience, the Interactive Chef Kitchen demo at SWB peers into the executive chef’s open kitchen and giant woodfire ovens while he prepares Southwest-style cuisine from fresh, seasonal

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ingredients. Each of the multiple courses during the meal is paired with wine and tequila that is carefully chosen to enhance the flavor of each dish. Aside from dinner, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale offers a fun, tastebud-tantalizing experience for guests to do wine tasting with an Arizona twist. Guests will try two glasses of wine of the same varietals, one being a familiar version and the other bottled in Arizona, then make a guess of which is which. As my host for the tasting shared, Arizona wineries are still relatively young so it may not be that difficult to pick the Arizonian, but you will be surprised by the different flavors. If after wine tasting you’re still in the mood for cocktails, you’ll notice the Center Stage Bar on the ground floor of the lobby, quite possibly featuring live entertainment since live acts play there throughout the week. The live acoustic band that rocked out for a packed bar the first night of my stay performed excellent renditions of familiar pop songs that had guests singing along. The www.gaycationmagazine.com

bar spills outside with a patio ensconcing fire pits and additional seating. Cantina Due is another bar located just off the lobby, snuggled between SWB and Alto. Here guests can unwind with a handcrafted cocktail made from fresh juices, artisanal syrups, and only natural and organic ingredients. For those craving a little fun in the sun, there is fun to be had at the resort’s adult water playground made up of 10 interconnecting pools—get ready to play! Go for a swim in the adults-only pool, one of four cold plunges, soak in the Jacuzzi, opt for a game of water volleyball or basketball, stretch out on the sandy beach, or get your thrills on the three-story waterslide and 14-foot-high aqueduct. H2oasis serves a menu of delicious favorite foods to the poolside cabanas, and two poolside bars will keep you liquored up. It’s everything an adult playground needs! When you’re ready to take a break from the sun, you can rejuvenate at Spa Avania. This little slice Gaycation Magazine

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of heaven features 19 treatment rooms, including four couples treatment rooms, five indoor/outdoor garden treatment suites, a fully equipped men’s suite, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Select your treatment from an array of options that focus on restoring balance and harmony to your body, like a traditional Swedish massage, body wrap, or the aromatic Vichy scrub—a full-body salt or sugar scrub and massage followed by a rain shower cleanse. Unique to Spa Avania, all treatments here are customized for the time of day they’re offered and what the body needs, changing up essential elements like music, antioxidant teas, natural light, and spa products used to invigorate your body if it’s morning, or wind down in the evening. Before or after your treatment, make use of the dry sauna, steam room, outdoor French Celtic mineral pool, open-air relaxation room, and outdoor showers. Showering naked beneath a refreshing rain shower surrounded by mountain views was a definite highlight of the visit! The resort’s open-air lawn court and ballrooms, which also look out onto the resort’s Desert Garden (and rooftop garden containing more than 100 types of succulents and cacti that further immerse you in the Southwestern landscape), are ideal for business meetings or weddings now that same-sex marriage has made its way to the Grand Canyon State (yay, Arizona!). If you’re yearning to learn about the surrounding area, guests are invited to get cultured in the resort’s Native American Learning Center, where you can find out about the region’s tribes. The resort also offers Camp Hyatt Kachina, a day camp specifically for kids age 3-12 that teaches about the desert landscape and history. Adults can even partake in the “Four Worlds” program designed to explore the people, food, and environment of the Southwest through activities like Navajo beadworking, flute carving, Hopi Kachina carving, and Pima basket weaving. Whatever you choose to do, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa is a vacation experience by itself, to say nothing of what lies beyond the www.gaycationmagazine.com

resort’s grounds. The greater Phoenix area has a huge LGBT community, with gay bars, gay-owned shops and businesses, an amazing restaurant scene, outdoor adventures like hiking and hot-air ballooning, and a full calendar of outdoor festivals happening almost every weekend from November to April. There was more to explore at the Hyatt Regency than I could squeeze into my two-night stay, so when making your vacation plans I definitely recommend making time for multiple nights. That way you can experience it all at your leisure and, of course, have time for that much-needed R&R. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch www.Scottsdale.hyatt.com

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Gaycationers

Meet some of the incredible people that have become part of our family of Gaycationers. They can usually be spotted pretty easily by their warm smiles and willing to help attitude when you arrive in their towns or cities. Here are just a few that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen. Have you seen any lately? If so, send a photo to editor@gaycationmagazine.com and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll post your craziness here!

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Cruising Corner

The Top 5 Things You’ll Want To Do Before Your Next Gay Cruise by Gregory L Kiep You booked your gay cruise vacation and already ordered your new Australian swimwear online. Now what? As a 30+ gay cruise veteran, I have come up with a few other things that you will want to do before you set sail. I guarantee these will make your vacation more enjoyable and relaxing overall. 1. Do your homework You know you are going to have a ton of fun playing onboard with 2,000 of your new friends but what about the times you don’t have a cocktail in your hand? (Hard to imagine, I know.) Research the places you are going to see what to do in your limited time there. Ship excursions are a great way to easily see the highlights of a locale with your fellow cruisers. Even in cities where there does not seem to be much to do, I have found some hidden treasures that are delightful memories. Spend a little time googling to see what you may enjoy and want to see. 2. Have ship cards made Think of these as leisure business cards. Have some easy and cheap cards made with the information you want to share on them to hand out on the ship. Typically, I see these with a photo, Facebook links, cabin number, and the place they are from. Put the information you want out there so it is easy for people to contact you during and after the trip. Remember, there are no pen holders in a speedo - these cards can come in handy! 3. Don’t be afraid of costumes You may not be a costume guy outside of cruises. I actually am not, either, contrary to popular belief.

HAHA. But the parties onboard are fun and a great way to mingle with new friends. Don’t be scared of going outside of your comfort zone - you are in the middle of the ocean - live a little! At the very least, do one or two parties and have a little fun with it - who doesn’t like to shop for costumes?! (Worried about packing? Check out my article all about packing for gaycations!) 4. Register online (and check out those liquor prices!) Registering with the cruise line online is a necessity before you show up on the pier. You will enter all of your information and put a credit card on your account. Easy breezy. BUT, with many cruise lines, you can preorder items to your stateroom or send them to a friend. If you are looking to save a little money, this can be a great idea. Bottles of alcohol, while a bit higher than you would find on land, are a great deal in comparison to the price of individual drinks onboard. You can also preorder items for special events like anniversaries or birthdays. 5. Bring your luggage, but leave your baggage at home. OK, not trying to sound preachy but this is the best thing you can do before you hop on the boat. This is a vacation - leave your stresses with work and life as far away from it as you can. I can honestly say that the people who come onboard with attitude make less friends and have less fun than anyone else. You may not look perfect, you may not feel perfect - no excuses! Embrace yourself and put yourself out there - the rewards will be plentiful.

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Crossword

Crossword Courtesy of freedailycrosswords.com Edited by Timothy Parker Solution can be found on page 88

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2014 Chinese New Year: Year of the Horse

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Solution to Crossword on page 86

Trip Out 90 Zenbiz Travel

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UP NEXT Travel Like A Local Lingering Along London’s Regent’s Canal Break Away to Brno How to be an Elephant Eco-volunteer Pad Thai Recipe

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