girl_gungho guide to...
Asia
PERHENTIAN ISLAND, EAST COAST MALAYSIA: They told us that with Perhentian, go with the small island for a more rustic holiday. We couldn't book. Just turn up and try your luck. Hmmm. In desperation for some South China Sea air and warm water, the two of us decided to hit the road. 2 and a bit hours got us to Kuantan town from Kuala Lumpur. We slept over in Kuantan - a good thing, cos my bud and I tasted the BEST butter prawns at the Alor Akar Seafood Restaurant at Jalan Alor Akar off Jalan Beserah. So if you're ever in the area, go there! In the morning, we started our drive north. Six hours it took us to get all the way past Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Besut where we easily found overnight parking. The agent was quick to suggest a couple of resorts - big island is more developed, small island is less developed. So we went with small island. Good thing we already had two buds on small island and they had pre-booked our rooms for us. Heh! We got onto the motorboat and experienced the roughest ride I'd ever! 30 minutes later and we're checking into the Mohsin Resort. At RM170 for the air-conditioned room, it was rather steep but the view from up there was simply beautiful. If you're ever there, look for GEN - the cool guy who runs the general store just next to Panorama Resort. www.perhentian (trip log: may 2007 copyright girl_gungho travel views)
CHERATING, EAST COAST MALAYSIA: Wow! Besides the POP INN (which may soon be sold!) which features a resident band at around 10pm, Cherating is pretty quiet. So if you're into surfers, mostly boys only tho, be there during the monsoon season to catch waves that apparently go as high up as 3M! Otherwise, there was another bar which we checked out called CARE FOR CAFE which was supposedly a PLU hangout. Unfortunately all we saw that night (cos there was a raid) was a roomful of seedy men. Hmmmph! We DID see a group of 12 girls tho...yes, they were! My gay dar just went off! So we were shy, exchanged looks and just carried on with our affairs. If you're staying the night, I'd recommend the beach front Cherating Bayview. Clean beds, two doubles in a chalet for only RM120. Alternately, the Ranting Beach chalets are nice too. A tad more pricey for RM190 for a 2-room chalet. Just nice to fit 2 couples. Thin walls tho ;)... oh! And for breakfast, BE SURE NOT TO MISS AMIE'S CAFE. Located by the river, the place is run by Amelia - a Hawaiian lady married to Encik Amie. Her background as a Herbalist means you'll be tucking away into healthy yummies. Hey! Why not go this weekend? Cherating is now only less that 3 hrs from KL on the new highway. Cherating is a little quiet with not much to do, but it's perfect if you're looking for a speak less, more action romantic weekend. Larger hotel chains in the vicinity include: The Club Med, Legend Hotels & Impiana. (trip log: december 2005 copyright girl_gungho travel views)
SHANGHAI: This might be old news but worth sharing. In a bus for 45 minutes was all it took (hah!) down Huai Hai Lu to get to Eddy's Bar. The bar is very sensual, with dim red lighting - reminiscent of Shanghai in the 20s. Some nice friendly people. Sign language worked fine.. with enough liquor, anyone can communicate! Nuong hor? If you do have time in this fab city, take a walk down the Bund and pop into the jazz bar at the Peace Hotel. The doorman in his songkok-like hat already sets the mood. I experienced the wow factor when i walked into the oldest hotel in the Paris of the East. Do NOT miss Xintiandi - the Austrian/Jewish quarters. Just spend some time soaking in the environment. Fantastic buzz around that place. And if you still have time, then you must head to the museum. Hmmm....I love Shanghai! Oh! And a day trip to Suzhou would really seal the trip. Unless, of course you have more time...then I'll just have to insist you book a flight to Chongqing and get yourself boarded on a Victoria Cruises ship, sail down the Yangtze River and visit some quaint villages. Ask your guide about the hanging coffins of the Ba tribe. And if you must, go to the damn dam. So many sunken villages hence displaced farmers because of that monstrosity! Ah.....China always makes an impact on me. And Shanghai is just such a super cool city, you'd forget you were in China. Really! wo te se ni te, ni te se wo te (trip log: march 2003 copyright girl_gungho travel views)
PHUKET: To think I had made plans to be there on December 26 at a lovely resort on phi phi island and somehow foiled plans upset me one moment and saved me the next. As my way of thanking the heavens and the Gods who reside there, I made a trip there 3 months later. Almost back on it's toes they were already! I was so amazed and impressed that the Phuket community had pooled their resources and positive human spirit to invite tourists back again. And to think that this year, I'll be making plans again to be there. Only this time, I'll be a playing a part in a bigger picture. The picture called NATION V. Hmmmm!
Eddy's Bar Shanghai not a space for women, but very friendly gay men who played host to me for one nite!
Fridae Singapore based website, empowering gay Asia
Gold Finger Party Tokyo Monthly lesbian parties in Tokyo organised by the marvellous Don Chigaliano
Lesla Thailand's leading lesbian website
Pinklemonz webzine on womens' issues
Utopia Asia 10-yr old Asian gay & lesbian resource
Australia
SYDNEY: I didn't think I would be spending 3 weeks in Sydney so soon, but I did. Mardi Gras 2009 welcomed the three of us - visitors from KL, with open arms and we headed off to the MAIN PARTY only to be surrounded by over 18,000 others partying away. Simply phenomenal, I say! The Bank Hotel proved to be a super night - note, be there for girls nites on Wednesdays. No cover charge. Just drink til you're silly and then head over to the SlyFox. Food wise, I could't help but visit TASTE SURRY HILLS twice, and TASTE WESTPAC. Oh yeah, I know the owners so I'm predisposed to being biased. But they can't help it if they serve up the best baguettes in town? Haha! This trip, it was pure adrenaline. I walked most days from Neutral Bay- where I stayed, to the rest of the city. The walk was refreshingly nice and although my blisters 'pained' me, the view distracted me. Oh! And one of those days, I caught up with Mistress Katrina at the Hyatt The Rocks for a sippy and some snacks. She told me off for rewinding the same 'I'm a victim' stories. I love it. I wake up. She tells me HELLFIRE, which has since moved to its new location was celebrating its birthday in a few days. Now, for you N00|3s, if you've not done a HELLFIRE, go! Also do a trip to the Burlesque as well. Funny how my trips repeat themselves. I did HURRICANES RIBS again, just that this time they've branched out to Darling Harbour. Bland. What I did enjoy was RAW ENERGY JUICE BAR @ PICADILLY on George St for delicious salads and I must say, a unique serve of inexpensive Indonesian grilled chicken salad. Ah! Food food food. For a change, I headed back memory lane with my school buddies to SHELLEY BEACH, MANLY and hung out by the rock pool. That was an experience to write home about. (trip log: mar 2009 copyright girl_gungho travel views)
SYDNEY: SlyFox at Enmore seems to be the place to be on Wednesdays. No more happenings at The Bank Hotel in Newtown though the Thai Food at the restaurant below The Bank is still deliciously satisfying! Hop off at Newtown Station and walk right next door to The Bank. To get to SlyFox, best if you had a car, I reckon. Some other fabulous restaurants in Sydney if you're ever there include Famish - a vietnamese fusion hit - expect queues, also Bills along Crown Street for fusion aussie fare. The ricotta hotcakes are a MUST TRY! Taste at Bondi is also great for salads and grilled chicken. Then, there's Hurricane's at Bondi Beach. OMG! Their ribs. Glorious! Well, besides fantastic women and fresh foods, what else is there to do in Sydney? Hmmm... well, Girl checked out the latest sex shop called KAOS, located just next the gay bookshop on Oxford St. Buy your DVDs or videos here, thingies and other thingies. You know!! Don't make me say it! I haven't even gone thru the customs yet! OKOKOKOK! Dildos! Loads of it! Actually, better selection at the store next door - The Toolshed. And girls, if you're ever in Sydney soon, don't ever leave this place without a visit to the Fish Markets. Still serving fresh fish! And tuna or salmon sashimi at around A$35/kg cut fresh so you can eat it rightaway! There's also a bottle shop so you can pick up a cheaper. I'd recommend the Brown Brother's LEXIA for only about A$12. Sweetish but nice...Finally, for some cheap fare, there's always the Ayam Goreng 99 sambal power place on Anzac Parade, Kingsford. Then close by there's a new Chinese Dessert place called Kun Tong Moon tong tong something. Yummy hot desserts especially when it's cold outside. On the menu, is also Harsimo! Guess what? Frog thyroid! Served in a yummy sweet hot broth...eeeeks! Not! But if you're game to try, it's apparently good for your deep throats. (trip log: august 2005 copyright girl_gungho travel views)
Hellfire Sydney An Australian institution for BDSM performances
Lesbians on the Loose Australia's monthly lesbian magazine
Melbourne Drag Kings Girls who drag
Slit - Magazine Australia's quarterly BDSM magazine
Americas
L Word one which needs no introduction - the 'sex in the city' series for lesbians starring jennifer beals etc
Volcano Del LaGrace FTM photographer extraordinaire
