After 17 years together, we're getting hitched! Honeymoon ideas??
May 22, 2008, 12:44 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: South of Sweden, near Copenhagen
Programs: Culinary Tourism, Chamber of Commers, China Business Club,Travel Industry in Progress (TRIP)
Posts: 4
Scandinavia!
Congratulations! I suggest you turn your eyes and trip to Sweden and Scandinavia: Wonderful Copenhagen - cool and cosy, cross the bridge to the castles in South Sweden, domestic flight or train to Stockholm and the 1000 islands in the archipelago, continue north to the midnight sun and the night glow destinations where you will have the ice hotel and spacecenter. To Norway and go south by boat or train, passing the beautiful fjords, and end with a cruise back to Copenhagen!
This would be a wonderful month!
The Best!
Britt
and more inspiration:
http://www.travelgatesweden.se
This would be a wonderful month!
The Best!
Britt
and more inspiration:
http://www.travelgatesweden.se
May 22, 2008, 12:57 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,093
Maldives for gays
Also someone mentioned Maldives, if you look at my signature, my photo report will eventually include episode on Maldives, but that will take a while since there are so many things ahead of it. My report, which is written in the trip report section of FT, is formatted for the FT audience in general (i.e. need to be sensitive to the easily shocked and awed species by the name of "straight men"). I appreciate this thread gave me the opportunity to add some gay specific comments wrt to some of these locations so I'll talk about Maldives here.
Maldives is a conservative Muslim country - and the people there take their religion seriously. This is not Turkey or Lebanon, no booze, no porn, nada. Beware the law on the books that says homosexuality is illegal and this is not Dubai either, don't try to test their limit using yourself as an example, not a wise thing to do.
Now, if I scared you about Maldives, relax. Just want to get the facts out of the way first. If you do go, the assumption is you will be visting one or a few of those self contained island resorts (e.g. W Maldives, Conrad Maldives, and etc.) On those islands, anything goes. Booze are sold, all kinds, at ridiculously high prices of course. Gays? You bet, saw several couples during our stay in Conrad Maldives. Because Conrad Maldives actually has 2 islands, there is a boat ride you can take to cross between the two. On one occasion, at dawn, there is bearish couple who dared to a PDA (i.e. kiss) on the boat right in front of us. I thought that was daring because there were other people on the boat and two local Maldivian boat drivers. No one cared. Plus it was kind of dark - they probably felt it was safe due to the relative darkness. Suffice to say, on the resort, your fellow resort mates will be mostly European, some Asians (mostly Japanese) and very few Americans. It's unlikely you are going to run into people who will give you hell, after all, those tend to be affluent Europeans who can afford an average $1000/night room rate + food + expenses to stay there. So in the confinement of luxury resorts, you will be just fine and are free to do whatever you want without having to worry about anything.
Now is Maldives worth that special trip for honeymoon? My short answer is no. Granted, it's a beautiful place, very tropical and perhaps different to other tropical locations like Hawaii and Tahiti (I had been to both). But unless your idea of honeymoon is to stay in the resort and do nothing and just relax, perhaps do some diving, sunbathing...for a few days, then Maldives is awfully expensive way of relaxing on a tropical island. Yes, there is also the spa & treatments. It's an all female masseuse team FYI and I doubt it's much different elsewhere on the other resorts. I did try the spa treatment, again, it was nice and expensive but nothing particularly memorable. I think you will find some of the southern European locations and islands more impressive as they will have better facilities and more variety of things in terms of what you can do.
Maldives is a conservative Muslim country - and the people there take their religion seriously. This is not Turkey or Lebanon, no booze, no porn, nada. Beware the law on the books that says homosexuality is illegal and this is not Dubai either, don't try to test their limit using yourself as an example, not a wise thing to do.
Now, if I scared you about Maldives, relax. Just want to get the facts out of the way first. If you do go, the assumption is you will be visting one or a few of those self contained island resorts (e.g. W Maldives, Conrad Maldives, and etc.) On those islands, anything goes. Booze are sold, all kinds, at ridiculously high prices of course. Gays? You bet, saw several couples during our stay in Conrad Maldives. Because Conrad Maldives actually has 2 islands, there is a boat ride you can take to cross between the two. On one occasion, at dawn, there is bearish couple who dared to a PDA (i.e. kiss) on the boat right in front of us. I thought that was daring because there were other people on the boat and two local Maldivian boat drivers. No one cared. Plus it was kind of dark - they probably felt it was safe due to the relative darkness. Suffice to say, on the resort, your fellow resort mates will be mostly European, some Asians (mostly Japanese) and very few Americans. It's unlikely you are going to run into people who will give you hell, after all, those tend to be affluent Europeans who can afford an average $1000/night room rate + food + expenses to stay there. So in the confinement of luxury resorts, you will be just fine and are free to do whatever you want without having to worry about anything.
Now is Maldives worth that special trip for honeymoon? My short answer is no. Granted, it's a beautiful place, very tropical and perhaps different to other tropical locations like Hawaii and Tahiti (I had been to both). But unless your idea of honeymoon is to stay in the resort and do nothing and just relax, perhaps do some diving, sunbathing...for a few days, then Maldives is awfully expensive way of relaxing on a tropical island. Yes, there is also the spa & treatments. It's an all female masseuse team FYI and I doubt it's much different elsewhere on the other resorts. I did try the spa treatment, again, it was nice and expensive but nothing particularly memorable. I think you will find some of the southern European locations and islands more impressive as they will have better facilities and more variety of things in terms of what you can do.
Last edited by Guava; May 22, 2008 at 1:03 am
May 22, 2008, 8:50 am
#48
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
May 22, 2008, 9:49 am
#49
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Trenton NJ
Programs: UA Gold MM, Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz President’s Circle
Posts: 3,668
Let me send my well wishes and congraulations as well!!
Since you're moving to Munich and Europe will be readily available to you, I'd suggest the South Pacific as well. My now ex and I had a very nice romantic time on Moorea. It was nice to be somewhere together in a relaxing place without the crush of things to do. We actually were now able to concentrate on each other and have fun together.
Since you're moving to Munich and Europe will be readily available to you, I'd suggest the South Pacific as well. My now ex and I had a very nice romantic time on Moorea. It was nice to be somewhere together in a relaxing place without the crush of things to do. We actually were now able to concentrate on each other and have fun together.
May 22, 2008, 11:00 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Orange, CA USA
Programs: CO Plat, Mariott Plat, National Exec. Elite, Hilton plywood elite, P-Club!
Posts: 228
Off topic, but if you're interested in a church that would perform the service, send me a PM. Church of the Foothills in Santa Ana is a long time menber of the Open and Affirming program. We already have a wedding scheduled for a lesbian couple in our membership on June 28. Our pastor is very interested in spreading the opportunity to other couples who would want a church ceremony.
As for honeymoon, the area around Interlaken, Switzerland is spectacular and the cog-train through the Eiger up to the Yungfrau is unforgetable.
As for honeymoon, the area around Interlaken, Switzerland is spectacular and the cog-train through the Eiger up to the Yungfrau is unforgetable.
May 23, 2008, 2:42 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PPSP. Yeah, I'm the bartender at that fancy 5-Star that forgot you said no salt on your freakin' frozen margarita. Listen up people! NO FROZEN DRINKS!
Posts: 2,022
This is what happens when I am off-line for a week! 
Just so there is no mistake about it, bigguyinpasadena is referencing HOOTERVILLE, not "Hooters"-ville!
And BTW, we don't own RV's here we live in them.
p.s. On a serious note, aren't Fiji and the Cook Islands pretty much anti-gay?
Last edited by GoodKarmaGuy; May 23, 2008 at 4:04 pm
May 23, 2008, 3:49 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,093
Cook Islands: Only stopped by the airport on way to Fiji from Tahiti. The Cook Islands have a special relationship with New Zealand but are otherwise independent. Actually I had its foreign minister as my seatmate on a flight from Nandi to Auckland on NZ years ago, a nice man who was originally from Canada but have been living there forever. Can't imagine that it to be bad in any way given its residents are mostly Polynesians and British/Kiwis. I'll let you guys know as I plan to visit there, officially (not just passing by) next March.
May 23, 2008, 5:25 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA, DL, UA
Posts: 37
I have absolutely no honeymoon advice, as I am not at all well-traveled. Exciting stuff for California, and I was actually landed at LAX exactly 15 minutes before the court announcement. I would like to think I brought some good vibes.
Nevertheless, congratulations!!
Nevertheless, congratulations!!
May 29, 2008, 8:18 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 700
Felicitaciones Guapo!!! 
Are you wearing the white dress j/k
I'm glad for you guys, Chris and I wish you all the best. Let us know when are you having the ceremony so we can have a toast here on the other side of the country (or the pond now?).
I do not have too many exotic suggestions but add another vote to the Greek Isles, specially on a private sailboat. I love Mykonos and didn't think it was too cruisy (not like Fire Island, etc). Great little island with several beaches, some of them almost deserted if you go in September; the town is very charming, with great restaurants and bars (lots of them low key for great conversation) and stores do not close till the wee hours which is a great plan after a beach day. Add to that Santorini with an amazing scenery. Some other isles are less popular but still very picturesque and you find the real Greek food. Many of them a 'postcard' towns. Island hopping would be ideal for me.
Since you are going to be in Europe, my other suggestion -'off the beat' would be the countryside in Austria (doable as a long weekend from Munchen). People are very open minded and nice little towns in the Lake District. I loved Hallstatt, located between Salzburg and Vienna. Of course, Vienna is a great add-on, one of my fav European cities, very well kept, clean and romantic.
Enjoy and be good!!!
Are you wearing the white dress
j/k I'm glad for you guys, Chris and I wish you all the best. Let us know when are you having the ceremony so we can have a toast here on the other side of the country (or the pond now?).
I do not have too many exotic suggestions but add another vote to the Greek Isles, specially on a private sailboat. I love Mykonos and didn't think it was too cruisy (not like Fire Island, etc). Great little island with several beaches, some of them almost deserted if you go in September; the town is very charming, with great restaurants and bars (lots of them low key for great conversation) and stores do not close till the wee hours which is a great plan after a beach day. Add to that Santorini with an amazing scenery. Some other isles are less popular but still very picturesque and you find the real Greek food. Many of them a 'postcard' towns. Island hopping would be ideal for me.
Since you are going to be in Europe, my other suggestion -'off the beat' would be the countryside in Austria (doable as a long weekend from Munchen). People are very open minded and nice little towns in the Lake District. I loved Hallstatt, located between Salzburg and Vienna. Of course, Vienna is a great add-on, one of my fav European cities, very well kept, clean and romantic.
Enjoy and be good!!!
May 30, 2008, 12:14 am
#55
In Memoriam
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: NW Silver Elite, CO
Posts: 132
No additional suggestions to add, but I did want to CONGRATULATE you both.
Marriage might not be everyone's cup of tea (regardless of orientation) but I am delighted when gay men or lesbian women are legally able to marry.
Enjoy your trip planning and the actual events themselves!
Marriage might not be everyone's cup of tea (regardless of orientation) but I am delighted when gay men or lesbian women are legally able to marry.
Enjoy your trip planning and the actual events themselves!
May 30, 2008, 10:12 am
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Digital Nomad
Programs: AA2MM LIFETIME PLT, Turkish Miles&Smiles Elite, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,024
We have a date: June 17!!!
The County of Los Angeles has announced that they will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Tuesday, June 17.
So much to do! Something new, something old, something blue, something...
The County of Los Angeles has announced that they will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Tuesday, June 17.
So much to do! Something new, something old, something blue, something...
Jun 3, 2008, 8:38 pm
#58
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
OT: What if gay marriage gets banned? / Getting married in Canada instead?
Out of Topic:
Since there is a chance that gay marriage can get "banned" and "unbanned" again and again, would this mean that gay couples will have to keep getting "remarried" over and over again?
Would getting married in Canada mean that when gay marriage is "not banned" in California that it will automatically be recognized? (so no need to get married and then later get remarried)
Since there is a chance that gay marriage can get "banned" and "unbanned" again and again, would this mean that gay couples will have to keep getting "remarried" over and over again?
Would getting married in Canada mean that when gay marriage is "not banned" in California that it will automatically be recognized? (so no need to get married and then later get remarried)
Jun 5, 2008, 4:46 pm
#59
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Digital Nomad
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Posts: 1,024
What I understand right now is that if we get married in June and then the constitution gets changed in November, then we are still married. They can't retroactively take our marriage away from us. It would simply mean that any FUTURE marriages would have to be between a man and a woman.
It doesn't look like the religious right will be able to get enough to change the constitution.
It doesn't look like the religious right will be able to get enough to change the constitution.
Jun 8, 2008, 11:38 am
#60
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: A shadow of my former self
Posts: 928
Congrats olafman! You were so helpful planning our visit to Cape Town years ago. It's been fun to keep up with you over the years. The pace of positive change in America these days is mind-boggling. It's as if eight years of good news have been stopped up and the clog is finally letting go.
Not to make this all about me, but my partner & I are getting married too! We've been together 8 1/2 years... got engaged in Vienna in December '06 on my partner's 30th birthday. The wedding is July 5th in Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University. New York's governor has just announced that NY will recognize marriages legally performed elsewhere, and my partner is from Santa Ana, California, so we're going to do a brief legal ceremony & repeat reception there for local relatives in the fall.
On the topic of honeymoons, everyone has posted so many great suggestions. Luckily for us, my partner is presenting at an academic conference at Sciences Po in Paris this summer. Coincidentally, the conference begins the Wednesday after the wedding, so off we go! We rented a pied-à-terre on the left bank. While he's "working," I intend to don a beret, quaff some pastis, smoke Gauloises, and write disaffected poetry. Comme c'est magnifique!
Congratulations and best wishes to all assembled,
David
Not to make this all about me, but my partner & I are getting married too! We've been together 8 1/2 years... got engaged in Vienna in December '06 on my partner's 30th birthday. The wedding is July 5th in Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University. New York's governor has just announced that NY will recognize marriages legally performed elsewhere, and my partner is from Santa Ana, California, so we're going to do a brief legal ceremony & repeat reception there for local relatives in the fall.
On the topic of honeymoons, everyone has posted so many great suggestions. Luckily for us, my partner is presenting at an academic conference at Sciences Po in Paris this summer. Coincidentally, the conference begins the Wednesday after the wedding, so off we go! We rented a pied-à-terre on the left bank. While he's "working," I intend to don a beret, quaff some pastis, smoke Gauloises, and write disaffected poetry. Comme c'est magnifique!
Congratulations and best wishes to all assembled,
David