Mr Droneklax and I are leaving for Tahiti, Moorea and Bora-Bora at the end of the week. Yeah.

Looking at the way Tahooti is marketed in the US, I have become a bit concerned that the place might be swarming with straight honeymooners, à la Sandals, and that we might stand out in the crowd.

Does anyone have any experience with gay travel in French Polynesia?

I'd also be interested in any recommendations on local gay life, the guides are very hush on the matter. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 03-18-2002).]

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[This message has been edited by Axi22 (edited 03-18-2002).]

A friend of mine was in Tahiti and Bora Bora a couple of years ago and said that it is a very laid-back gay scene there. At the time there was at least one "gay" bar in Papeete but it was nothing special. By the way,most polynesian cultures have a "mahu" or transvestite element and the mahu are respected parts of the family/culture and treated like everyones "aunties". I don't think you will have any trouble with the locals in French Polynesia as a gay man/couple. That dosen't mean that other tourists from say-Omaha might not stare, but I've had pretty good experiences overall with straight tourist couples that are out of their normal element and thus a little more willing to accept concepts they would avoid like the plague in their hometown.

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 03-25-2002).]

Hi. Sorry, I wrote something yesterday but made references to 'les marins francais' et 'la legionnaire etrangere'.. and deleted it as it would be better elaborated on Atkol or MSS boards..

Anyway, I've been going often since 1982 (I am now 38) but it is not a destination I go to be gay or find gay nightlife, as there really is none. Nightlife for straight couples is also extremely limited on the off islands as well. the only thing you might find would be in Papeete, and even then, most clubs are mixed. There are a few clubs which have rae-rae's (transvestites) in Papeete as that is pretty common there..

As the above poster mentioned, 'mahus' are pretty much accepted in Polynesia and the south pacific, and you will see them everywhere from restaurants, hotels and most of the service industry.

I wouldn't go as far as calling it a 'sandals'environment, as FP is much more low key and still hasn't reached the party atmosphere as some of the carrib. islands..but it still is marketed heavily to the honeymooner destination crowd..and depending on where you stay, esecially an 'americanized' resort vs. a tahitian owned resort, you are at the mercy of your fellow guests in terms of whether or not you are 'accepted' and/or if that bothers you or not.. You have nothing to worry about in terms of the Tahitians/Polynesians.. 2 men checking in to a hotel will not even bat an eye, it is of course, very accepted there and you will feel NO discrimination for same sex couples. Like I said, it just depends on who your fellow guests are and how open they are..Just like any other place I would imagine!

I usually go off the beaten path to far flung atolls and islands, so I don't usually interact with 'fellow american's' so it is not a concern for me. FP is really a "go to bed at 9:30 pm and rise at 7:00 am" kind of place. It is QUIET...

On Moorea, at the Residence Linareva hotel on the Haapiti side, the 2 men that own it are gay, they also own the "Le Bateau" restaurant which is on the premises as well and is a great place to eat. They might be able to fill you in, but you really will find nothing on Moorea or Bora..

There are 2 gay cruises coming up in the next few weeks on the MS Paul Gauguin (Radisson), one week is for Lesbians, the other for Gay men.

If it's your first time, just sink into 'tahitian time' and go with the flow, as FP is not necessarily known for 'doting service' a la Thailand and other Asian countries, but it can be a wonderful place for many provided they go with that realization..

I am actually leaving 2 weeks from tomorrow (wednesday) to spend 3 months on Tahiti, Fakarava, Tikehau, Huahine and Maupiti as well as taking the Aranui cruise to the Marquesas. Also a little side trip to Fiji and Rarotonga..

Have a great trip, meet the locals and "Fa'aitoito e aita pe'ape'a!!"

Axi22 Thanks! I was wondering what had happened to your first post.

I am not sure what you mean about French sailors. (Where's my Querelle de Brest? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif) Actually- I do. I grew up in a French military seaport so I know the drill, what they say they do and what they do do.. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Thanks for the detailed post. I am looking forward to meeting mahus.

We are not concerned if there is no gay life. The concern was that we might be uncomfortable if the places where we are staying are too "Sandalized". The outlying islands look interesting, but for a first trip, we'll keep it simple.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Fa'aitoito e aita pe'ape'a</font>

????

[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 03-19-2002).]

Oh great. Now my fanatsy on being marooned on Tahiti with nothing but the natives (preferbly men) so that I can be Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon have been ruined.

Now where's Christopher Atkins when you need him?