Bucklands Beach Gay Friendly Gay and Lbian Acmodatn | NZ TOURISM GUIDE

Contents:

• A GAY TRAVELLER’S OFF THE BEATEN PATH PARADISE
• THE WORLD'S MOST GAY-FRIENDLY BEACH CI AND RORTS
• GAY NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL GUI
• TOP GAY DTATNS: NEW ZEALAND
• BUCKLANDS BEACH GAY FRIENDLY
• GAY CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND | THE ESSENTIAL LGBT TRAVEL GUI!
• THE BT GAY BEACH THE USA
• THE BT GAY BEACH EUROPE
• NEW ZEALAND GAY TRAVEL
• GAY CHRISTCHURCH
• LOL FOC: BAY A HOT SPOT FOR 'NAKATN', WH NUDIST FE & NU KARAOKEBAY OF PLENTY TIMSAVHARESHARE THIS ARTICLEFACEBOOKPY LKTWTERLKEDREDDEMAILNEW ZEALAND IS NOW A TOP STATN FOR HOLIDAYS WHOUT CLOTH. MA WH FUNDG OM NZ ON AIR.NATURISTS - PEOPLE WHO PRACTISE MUNAL OR SOCIAL NUDY - SAY THEY ARE OFTEN MISJUDGED AS "PERVERTS" OR "SWGERS", BUT THEY BELIEVE 'S A LIFTYLE THAT CREAT A MORE TOLERANT SOCIETY, BOOSTS SELF-TEEM AND IMPROV MENTAL AND PHYSIL HEALTH. ANNEMARIE QUILL REVEALS ALL ...MATT, 30, IS NOT A NUDIST BUT LIK TO PLAY MI GOLF NAKED.SOPHIE, 25, WENT SKNY DIPPG AND NEVER PUT HER CLOTH BACK ON.MARK, 47, WAS PAFULLY SHY AND ULDN'T LOOK PEOPLE'S EY UNTIL HE DISVERED NATURISM - NOW THE R MECHANIC LOOKS FORWARD TO THE END OF THE DAY WHEN HE TAK OFF HIS BOOTS AND EVERYTHG ELSE.ELLEN, 53, GREW UP A NATURIST FAY AND NOW GO ON 'NAKATNS' ALL OVER THE WORLD.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.MARIE, 46, LIV NAKED AT HOME AND ON FAY OUTGS AND SAYS THE NATURIST LIFTYLE HAS STILLED SELF-TEEM HER THREE CHILDREN.AMA, 37, A FORMER CHEF OM SWEN, HAS OPENED A TRANGA FE WHERE PEOPLE N ENJOY HER HOME BAKG NAKED.TOM, 50, OWNS THE ONLY PRIVATE HOLIDAY RORT THE NORTH ISLAND FOR NATURISTS.GLENNE, 68, NS A BAY OF PLENTY NATURIST GROUP WHICH HAS 948 MEMBERS.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.MATT AND SOPHIEMATT NICHOLS, 30, PLAYG MI GOLF WH HIS PARTNER SOPHIE PROFFT, 25. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN"I DON'T TRODUCE MYSELF, 'HI MY NAME'S MATT, I'M A NUDIST'."MATT NICHOLS, 30, IS PLAYG MI GOLF WH HIS PARTNER SOPHIE PROFFT, 25.HE'S CANADIAN, SHE'S ENGLISH. THEY ARE BOTH STARK NAKED.THEY ARE ON 'NAKATN', THE TERM FOR HOLIDAYG WHOUT CLOTH, AT KATIKATI NATURIST PARK, THE ONLY PRIVATE NUDIST PARK THE NORTH ISLAND AND ONE OF ONLY TWO PRIVATE NATURIST HOLIDAY RORTS NEW ZEALAND, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 17 LAND CLUBS AROUND THE UNTRY.RELATED ARTICLMELANOMA SURVIVORS URGE KIWIS TO BE VIGILANT29 DEC 12:08 AMNU SWIM RAIS MORE THAN $9000 FOR BREAST CANCER SUPPORT SERVICE TRANGA TST20 MAR 08:48 PMTHE UPLE SPOTTED A ROAD SIGN POTG TO THE NATURIST PARK ON THE HIGHWAY TOWARDS TRANGA, AND TURNED DOWN THE 1.5KM RAL LANE TO DISVER THE MP, SET 5.7 HECTAR OF NATIVE BH ALONGSI THE URETARA STREAM.IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME A NATURIST MP."IF YOU HAD ASKED ME FIVE YEARS AGO WOULD I BE A PLACE LIKE THIS, I WOULD HAVE SAID NO. TO THE OUTSI, MAY SEEM WEIRD BUT 'S REALLY NOT. IT'S CHILL, RELAXED."THERE'S AN ASSUMPTN THAT BEG NAKED AROUND OTHERS IS A SEXUAL THG, HE SAYS."IT IS NOT ABOUT THAT AT ALL. IT IS NOT ABOUT HOOKG UP. WE ARE NOT SWGERS OR ANYTHG. MAYBE WHEN I AM OLR."NICHOLS FIRST TRIED BEG NAKED AMONG OTHER PEOPLE CALIFORNIA FOUR YEARS AGO.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."SOCIETY TELLS IS NORMAL TO WEAR CLOTH, BUT I LIKE TRYG NEW THGS LIFE AND EXPERIMENTG AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE."AT FIRST, WAS NERVE-RACKG. AS SOON AS YOU TAKE YOUR CLOTH OFF, YOU REALISE EVERYONE IS THE SAME. THERE'S NO REASON TO BE SHY. IT'S LIBERATG."MATT AND SOPHIE ENJOYG THE FLORA AND PICTURQUE GROUNDS. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODPROFFT AGRE. SHE MA HER TEXTILE-EE BUT FIVE YEARS AGO ATRALIA WH A GROUP OF IENDS."WE WENT SKNY DIPPG THE OCEAN. WHEN WE ME BACK TO MP NO ONE PUT THEIR CLOTH BACK ON AND WE FISHED THE ROAD TRIP NAKED - EVEN DRIVG NAKED."THE UPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN TOGETHER THREE YEARS, LIKE TO GET NAKED WHEN THEY N ON BEACH OR "SOMEWHERE WHERE PEOPLE WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WH ", SAYS PROFFT.SHE HAS ENUNTERED SOME NEGATIVY.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."A WOMAN ME UP TO ME WHEN I WAS SUNBATHG TOPLS AND SAID 'THIS IS A FAY PLACE AND MY 11-YEAR-OLD SON IS STARG AT YOUR BOOBS'."I THOUGHT THAT WAS HER PROBLEM, NOT ME, BUT I NEVER WANT TO E ANY TROUBLE SO I VERED UP."LIKE NICHOLS, SHE IS DISAPPOTED THAT NATURISM IS MARGALISED."THE PERCEPTN NEEDS TO CHANGE THAT IS WEIRD OR DISGTG. IT IS NOT PERVERTED. IT'S JT NATURAL. EVERYONE IS BORN NAKED. WE ARE THE ONLY CREATUR WHO WEAR CLOTH, SO CLOTH ARE WEIRD IF YOU THK ABOUT LIKE THAT."IT IS NOT THAT I DON'T ENJOY WEARG CLOTH, I DO. I ALSO LIKE BEG NAKED. IT SHOULDN'T BE WEIRD TO BE YOUR NATURAL SELF."BEG NAKED IS A GREAT LEVELLER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS "WORRIED WHAT PEOPLE THK OF THEM", AND LIBERATG FOR WOMEN PARTICULARLY TO EMBRACE THEIR BODI MORE POSIVELY.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."IF EVERYONE ULD SEE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME THEY WOULD REALISE EVERYONE HAS IMPERFECTNS, EVERYONE HAS LUMPS AND BUMPS ... IS JT NORMAL. DON'T WORRY ABOUT ."WARM WELE OM AMA AND TOMAMA AND TOM CARRIGAN WHO OWN THE KATIKATI NATURIST PARK. PHOTO/SUPPLIEDTHE MP'S RECEPTN IS LIKE ANY HOLIDAY MP WH TOURIST LEAFLETS, MAPS AND ICECREAMS.THERE'S A SCENT OF LEMONS AND CNAMON.SWEDISH OWNER AMA CARRIGAN, 37, A FORMER CHEF, SELLS HER SIGNATURE SAFON BUNS AND SNDAVIAN RYE BREAD ALONGSI HER JEWELLERY SIGNS. SHE PATED THE LARGE ROCKS ON THE MI GOLF URSE AS LOURFUL LADYBIRDS.BEYOND THE RECEPTN, A RED AND WHE BARRIER SIGNALS THE ENTRY TO THE MP OM WHICH POT CLOTHG IS "NOT OPTNAL".CO-OWNER TOM CARRIGAN EXPLAS.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."CLOTH ARE NON-OPTNAL - THAT IS THE BOTTOM LE. BUT WE ARE NOT SADISTS. WE GET THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO VER UP OCSNALLY - IF YOU'RE LD, OR SUNBURNT OR WHEN YOU'RE BARBECUG, NEAR A HOT GRILL, YOU PROBABLY WANT TO PUT YOUR WILLY AWAY FOR SAFETY REASONS."OTHER TIM, WALKG AROUND, DOG THE WASHG, THE LOUNGE AREA, SNA, SPA AND POOLS, PLAYG PETANQUE, JT HANGG OUT - PEOPLE ARE NAKED AND THAT'S HOW EVERYONE LIK ."KATIKATI NATURIST PARK -OWNER TOM CARRIGAN ONT OF THE PETANQUE AREA. PHOTO/JOHN BORRENCARRIGAN SAYS THERE IS CREASG MAND NEW ZEALAND FOR PLAC TO "NAKATN" FOR PEOPLE LIKE NICHOLS AND PROFFT, WHO LIKE TO BE NAKED AT HOME AND WANT TO FD A PLACE WHERE THEY N ON HOLIDAY.HOLIDAY MPS N BE "A GATEWAY TO NATURISM" FOR THOSE CUR ABOUT THE LIFTYLE."IF YOU ARE UNSURE, HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE, BUT HAVE AN OPEN MD, E AND TAKE YOUR TIME. WE FD MOST PEOPLE GET TO REALLY QUICKLY, ENJOY , AND AFTER A WHILE THERE IS NOTHG TO - THEY JT ARE."THE CARRIGANS RECENTLY OPENED A SWEDISH CAFE ON SE WHERE DAY VISORS N E AND EAT LUNCH WH CLOTH ON ... OR OFF.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.THERE ARE PLENTY OF FIRST TIME NATURISTS WHO E TO THE RORT, CLUDG SOME WHO ARRIVED AT THE MP NOT UNRSTANDG THAT WAS A NO CLOTH VENUE."SOME PEOPLE SEE THE 'NATURIST' SIGN BUT DO NOT KNOW WHAT NATURIST MEANS, SO THEY TURN UP THKG IS A SE WHERE THEY N ADMIRE NEW ZEALAND NATIVE PLANTS AND BIRDS".AND THEY WILL.BAY HOT SPOTTHE ENTRANCE TO KATIKATI NATURIST PARK. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODTHE VAST GROUNDS ARE POPULATED WH THOANDS OF NATIVE TRE SURROUND BY THE KAIMAI MOUNTA RANGE. IN THE HUMIDY OF SUMMER, THOSE HILLS ARE CLOAKED A LORD OF THE RGS MYSTIL STEAMS.PURPLE FLOWERS, POT PLANTS AND TROPIL FLORA ARE FLOURISHG - THE GROUNDSMAN IS ALSO A NATURIST.TO THE SOUNDTRACK OF NATIVE BIRDS, GUTS BH WALK ALONG THE ROCKY STREAM, SPOT EELS OR BATHE S OLG POOLS.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.A STEEPER TRAMP IS REWARD BY A SWEEPG VIEW OF THE MOUNT.SO ANYONE SEEKG NATURE THIS RORT WILL NOT BE DISAPPOTED.THEY WILL ALSO ENUNTER UP TO 200 PEOPL MPG NAKED - HAS A MOTEL, THREE CHALETS, KCHEN BS, TENTS, MPERVANS AND RAVANS.THE HEART OF THE MP IS THE SNA, POOL AND SPA AREA WHERE GUTS SUNBATHE, SWIM, STEAM, AND SOCIALISE.A RECREATN ROOM WH LOUNGERS HOSTS MOVIE NIGHTS.THE NUDKE (NU KARAOKE) ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IS ALREADY SOLD OUT.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.A WORLD MAP ON THE WALL BY THE POOL TABLE MARKS MEMORI OF VISORS PS.MATT NICHOLS WH THE WORLD MAP. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODCARRIGAN TIMAT 80 PER CENT OF VISORS ARE NEW ZEALANRS. AMONG THE EUROPEANS GERMANS, DUTCH, AND FRENCH DOMATE, ALTHOUGH PS ARE DOTTED AS FAR AFIELD AS EGYPT, ISRAEL AND EVEN IRAN."AN IRANIAN UPLE, WHO TOLD IF THEY DID THEIR OWN UNTRY THEY WOULD BE BEHEAD."BAY OF PLENTY LOLS ARE DAY VISORS, WH SOME REGULARLY G EACH WEEKEND EVEN WTER, SAYS CARRIGAN."SOME PEOPLE LIVE OPENLY THAT THEY ARE NATURISTS, SOME LIKE TO FLY UNR THE RADAR AND WOULDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY E HERE."A MAN THE SPA SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE INTIFIED BEE OF HIS ERNMENT JOB.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.TWENTY PEOPLE HAVE MOVED TO LIVE PERMANENTLY ON SE ALL YEAR ROUND, CLUDG A BETY THERAPIST.CARRIGAN SAYS NATURIST TRENDS HAVE CHANGED OM THE 70S WHEN NATURISTS TEND NOT TO SHAVE OR N'T WEAR BODY JEWELLERY OR TATTOOS."THE TREND NOW IS TO HAVE HAIRLS PUBIC AREAS OR BE MANICURED ... BUT IS NOT A LE. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE SPECTED AT THE GATE OR ANYTHG. IT'S JT NOT LIKE THE 70S STEREOTYPE OF LONG-HAIRED HIPPI THAT PEOPLE MAY THK, ALTHOUGH IF THAT IS THE WAY YOU LIKE , FE BY TOO."VISORS WHO DO TURN UP NOT REALISG THE MOD OPERANDI OFTEN CI TO STAY. CARRIGAN TIMAT EIGHT OUT OF 10 DO.CARRIGAN TRI TO WELE EVERYONE BUT WOULD WEED OUT ANYONE IF THEY HAD "WRONG TENTNS"."WE ARE A FAY IENDLY MP. ONCE A MPERVAN OF A FAY WH THREE KIDS, 3, 6, 8 OM AUCKLAND ARRIVED NOT KNOWG, AND THEY WERE LIKE, 'OH SORRY NOT FOR '. TWO HOURS LATER THEY WERE BACK AS THEY HADN'T FOUND ANY OTHER ACMODATN, THEY LIKED THE SE AND THOUGHT THEY WOULD JT TRY FOR A NIGHT. THEY STAYED THE WHOLE SUMMER AND NOW E BACK EVERY YEAR."ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.DISPELLG MYTHSELLEN GEBEL AND BERNHARD WILER CHAT WH TOM CARRIGAN KATIKATI NATURIST PARK'S RECEPTN AREA. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODWHILE GUTS MOSTLY ARE UPL OR IENDS, THERE ARE SOME SGL AND FAI TOO.CARRIGAN WANTS TO DISPEL THE PERCEPTN THERE IS VIANCY NATURISM."IF ANYTHG CHILDREN ARE SAFER HERE THAN THEY ARE AT OTHER MPS BEE WE WATCH OUT FOR ANY APPROPRIATE BEHAVUR AND ANYONE WOULD BE OUT STRAIGHT AWAY."THE NEW ZEALAND NATURIST FERATN'S STANCE IS THAT NATURISM IS "ABSOLUTELY" SAFE FOR CHILDREN, AND SAYS ON S WEBSE,"NATURISTS DO NOT NY THE SEXUAL NATURE OF HUMAN BEGS, BUT THEY REJECT THE ALL TOO PREVALENT VIEW OUR SOCIETY THAT NUDY AND SEX ARE SYNONYMO AND THAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE "PROTECTED" OM NUDY REGARDLS OF NTEXT. NU IS NOT LEWD."GUT ELLEN GEBEL, 53, SAYS THERE IS NO PERVERSN NATURISM.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.ELLEN GEBEL. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODA NATURIST ALL HER LIFE, SHE WAS ED TO BEG NAKED AROUND OTHERS AS A CHILD GROWG UP GERMANY WH PARENTS WHO WERE NATURISTS."THERE IS NOTHG SEXUAL ABOUT A NATURIST ... I WOULD SAY IS SENSUAL ... THE FEEL OF A BREEZE ON YOUR BODY, THE WATER LAKE OR POOL ... FREE THE AIR, THE SUN, EVERYTHG ... 'S HEALTHY."AFTER SWIMMG WHOUT TOGS YOU WOULD THK WAS CRAZY TO PUT THEM ON AND HAVE THEM STICK TO YOU."THERE ARE OTHER ADVANTAG."YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO WEAR OR PACK."WHEN SHE MET PARTNER BERNHARD WILER SIX YEARS AGO, HE HAD NOT TRIED BUT WATCHG THEM CHATTG BY THE POOL WH NOTHG ON BUT SUNSCREEN AND AN ORANGE JUICE YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.ELLEN GEBEL, 53, AND PARTNER BERNHARD WILER, 52, REGULARLY GO ON NAKATNS TOGETHER. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN"HE IS G ALONG NICELY," LGHS GEBEL.SCE MEETG, THE UPLE HAVE ENJOYED SEVERAL NAKATNS, AND ARE NOW EN ROUTE TO WELLGTON WHERE THE NEW ZEALAND NATNAL NATURIST FTIVAL NS FOR SEVEN DAYS WH HOTLY NTTED SPORTS TROPHI AND LEISURE ACTIVI.NAKED NEW ZEALAND
• THE WILD KIWI: GAY TRAVEL NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE TOUR

A GAY TRAVELLER’S OFF THE BEATEN PATH PARADISE

As the gay Traveller matur and looks for experienc that are beyond gay-centric, but still gay-iendly, New Zealand offers warm wel, ltle judgement, and a chance to explore remote plac away om the crowds. Although urban statns tend to be most popular wh gay travelers bee of their rich cultural offergs, vibrant nightlife districts, and chic shoppg and dg, a number of the world's most gay-popular ci also enjoy picturque settgs on the water. From megaci wh skyscrapers on the ocean to relatively smaller statns on tranquil bays and lak, here's a ndown of the world's 20 bt gay urban beach statns (populatn 150, 000 or greater).

Wh outstandg mms, distctive archecture (cludg several treasur by Antoni Gdi) a lively gay nightlife scene centered mostly around the sophistited Eixample district, and an abundance of stylish rtrants and hotels, Barcelona is a terrific statn for urban, yet there's a sweepg and betiful gay beach, Barceloa, jt mut om the cy center. It's jt a short drive south along the ast to vis some of the Southern Hemisphere's most betiful beach, cludg swank Camp Bay, which li the shadows of the Twelve Apostle mountas, and Clifton, which has a scene-y gay beach. And as 's set on the eastern shore of Zealand Island, on Ørund (a stra that divis the North and Baltic seas), Copenhagen is close to a number of priste, wdswept stretch of sand, cludg such gay hangouts as Bellevue and Ishøj beach.

For many years known primarily as Florida's "sprg break" pal, Fort Lrdale began an amb transformatn to a more sophistited rort statn startg around the early 1990s, which cid wh efforts to urt gay and lbian travelers.

THE WORLD'S MOST GAY-FRIENDLY BEACH CI AND RORTS

Sce that time, more than a dozen gay men's rorts have opened wh a few blocks of the cy's betiful oceanont beach, as have several luxury high-rise hotels.

GAY NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL GUI

5 ln rints—prisg the Kowloon Pensula, New Terrori, and Hong Kong Island—is neverthels que forward wh regard to gay and lbian issu when you nsir the regn as a whole. This dramatilly suated cy on the island of Oahu has several gay bars, a great dg scene, and proximy to many notable attractns, om Queen's Surf gay beach to Pearl Harbor.

One of the world's leadg gay and lbian statns, Los Angel is much more than a sgle metropolis - rather, 's an entire llectn of both sprawlg and many s scenic neighborhoods and adjacent ci. Here and funky Venice Beach, to the south, you'll fd que a few rtrants, hotels, and bars wh a mixed gay/straight followg, along wh one of the Wt's classic gay dive bars, Roosterfish. The regn has been eclipsed by nearby Fort Lrdale recent year's as the state's top gay statn, but you'll still fd plenty of gays and lbians livg and playg the parts - and visg durg the several big gay circu parti held South Beach each year, om Wter Party to Whe Party to Miami Gay Pri.

The largt cy on the famoly swank and sophistited French Riviera, Nice (populatn 350, 000) is not que a gay playground on the same plane as such Euro-queer hot spots as Ibiza and Mykonos, but this stylish cy wh an outstandg variety of tony rtrants and shops do have a growg gay prence (this is also te, by the way, of nearby Cann, which is smaller but also is beg creasgly popular wh gay travelers). You'll fd gay bars, snas, and f mostly or Old Town, and along the curvg wateront gg the Mederranean, rabow flags note a gay prence at Co Beach as well as at Castel Plage.

TOP GAY DTATNS: NEW ZEALAND

S., and Canada, the romantic Mexin Riviera rort of Puerto Vallarta mak for an approachable, relatively affordable, and fectly fun and lively gay getaway om late fall through early sprg ( quiets down here nsirably durg the hot summer months).

BUCKLANDS BEACH GAY FRIENDLY

The gay scene here has grown steadily over the past uple of s, wh the most popular GLBT beach and several welg hotels, rtrants, and bars centered upon the charmg and historic Zona Romanti district. R Janeiro jtly renowned for s sugary beach, and a party-driven, ftive gay scene that's ncentrated chiefly around trendy Ipanema and the more touristy Copabana areas, both of which ont the ocean and are ial for glazg, joggg, or playg the sun and sea.

GAY CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND | THE ESSENTIAL LGBT TRAVEL GUI!

Ipanema, wh s lonial-style buildgs and tree-led streets, is pecially charmg; you'll fd a number of LGBT-popular f and bars around here, as well as a stunng gay beach jt off Rua Farme Amoedo.

THE BT GAY BEACH THE USA

One of the regn's most betiful beach, Fort Doto County Park, has a b of a gay followg, and there's also a great gay beach at Treasure Island, lled Sunset Beach. Petersburg Gay Pri, the largt the state, the area is home to a diverse mix of gay-iendly lodgg choic, om grand hotels to elegant bed-and-breakfasts pl Florida's largt gay rort.

The cy's btlg Hillcrt neighborhood is a hub of gay nightlife and retail, and you'll also fd plenty of GLBT-equented bs nearby North Park and Universy Heights. Head for the oceanont muni of Pacific Beach and La Jolla, and you'll disver a geo stretch of gold-sand beach, wh the gay-popular Black's Beach among the most spectacular. San Diego also has a rich cultural scene downtown, ol rtrants and slick hotels the Gaslamp Quarter, and outstandg mms and attractns leafy Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Gay Pri ftival each July.

THE BT GAY BEACH EUROPE

Among the top 10 largt ci the Caribbean, sunny and vibrant San Juan (metro populatn 2 ln) has the bt gay scene and most welg attu toward GLBT travelers. Arguably the gay epicenter of the Southern Hemisphere, scenic Sydney is a major bs and cultural center that jt happens to be flanked by some of the world's most geo beach.

NEW ZEALAND GAY TRAVEL

Sydney's gay scene is foced tradnally around Oxford Street, a 20-mute walk om the much-photographed Inner Harbour and Sydney Opera Hoe, but nearby ner suburbs like Newtown, Erskeville, and Glebe have sizable LGBT populatns and many mixed bars and rtrants.

Israel's send-largt cy after Jesalem, the Mederranean-ged metropolis of Tel Aviv (populatn 400, 000) is also among the most secular and gay-iendly municipali Israel. It's long had a sizable gay prence, cludg plenty of f, bars, and boutiqu terg to GLBT rints and visors—Shenk Street li at the heart of the cy's gay scene.

The weather at the beach, even summer, is often ol and wdy, and the surf n be vlent—even que dangero—pecially around gay-popular Baker Beach, a clothg-optnal patch near Prid Park that affords visors fe views of the Goln Gate Bridge. San Francis is nohels an outstandg place to live or vis if you want a balance of gay culture and geo astle that's great for joggg, beach hik, and admirg the views. There's the lovely beach at English Bay that's jt steps om the gay-popular bars and rtrants of the cy's Wt End, and Ksilano Beach Park jt across the water.

GAY CHRISTCHURCH

From private rooms and apartments to LGBTQ-iendly hotels, you have the optn to stay the heart of gay districts as well as other neighborhoods the plac you vis.

LOL FOC: BAY A HOT SPOT FOR 'NAKATN', WH NUDIST FE & NU KARAOKEBAY OF PLENTY TIMSAVHARESHARE THIS ARTICLEFACEBOOKPY LKTWTERLKEDREDDEMAILNEW ZEALAND IS NOW A TOP STATN FOR HOLIDAYS WHOUT CLOTH. MA WH FUNDG OM NZ ON AIR.NATURISTS - PEOPLE WHO PRACTISE MUNAL OR SOCIAL NUDY - SAY THEY ARE OFTEN MISJUDGED AS "PERVERTS" OR "SWGERS", BUT THEY BELIEVE 'S A LIFTYLE THAT CREAT A MORE TOLERANT SOCIETY, BOOSTS SELF-TEEM AND IMPROV MENTAL AND PHYSIL HEALTH. ANNEMARIE QUILL REVEALS ALL ...MATT, 30, IS NOT A NUDIST BUT LIK TO PLAY MI GOLF NAKED.SOPHIE, 25, WENT SKNY DIPPG AND NEVER PUT HER CLOTH BACK ON.MARK, 47, WAS PAFULLY SHY AND ULDN'T LOOK PEOPLE'S EY UNTIL HE DISVERED NATURISM - NOW THE R MECHANIC LOOKS FORWARD TO THE END OF THE DAY WHEN HE TAK OFF HIS BOOTS AND EVERYTHG ELSE.ELLEN, 53, GREW UP A NATURIST FAY AND NOW GO ON 'NAKATNS' ALL OVER THE WORLD.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.MARIE, 46, LIV NAKED AT HOME AND ON FAY OUTGS AND SAYS THE NATURIST LIFTYLE HAS STILLED SELF-TEEM HER THREE CHILDREN.AMA, 37, A FORMER CHEF OM SWEN, HAS OPENED A TRANGA FE WHERE PEOPLE N ENJOY HER HOME BAKG NAKED.TOM, 50, OWNS THE ONLY PRIVATE HOLIDAY RORT THE NORTH ISLAND FOR NATURISTS.GLENNE, 68, NS A BAY OF PLENTY NATURIST GROUP WHICH HAS 948 MEMBERS.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.MATT AND SOPHIEMATT NICHOLS, 30, PLAYG MI GOLF WH HIS PARTNER SOPHIE PROFFT, 25. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN"I DON'T TRODUCE MYSELF, 'HI MY NAME'S MATT, I'M A NUDIST'."MATT NICHOLS, 30, IS PLAYG MI GOLF WH HIS PARTNER SOPHIE PROFFT, 25.HE'S CANADIAN, SHE'S ENGLISH. THEY ARE BOTH STARK NAKED.THEY ARE ON 'NAKATN', THE TERM FOR HOLIDAYG WHOUT CLOTH, AT KATIKATI NATURIST PARK, THE ONLY PRIVATE NUDIST PARK THE NORTH ISLAND AND ONE OF ONLY TWO PRIVATE NATURIST HOLIDAY RORTS NEW ZEALAND, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 17 LAND CLUBS AROUND THE UNTRY.RELATED ARTICLMELANOMA SURVIVORS URGE KIWIS TO BE VIGILANT29 DEC 12:08 AMNU SWIM RAIS MORE THAN $9000 FOR BREAST CANCER SUPPORT SERVICE TRANGA TST20 MAR 08:48 PMTHE UPLE SPOTTED A ROAD SIGN POTG TO THE NATURIST PARK ON THE HIGHWAY TOWARDS TRANGA, AND TURNED DOWN THE 1.5KM RAL LANE TO DISVER THE MP, SET 5.7 HECTAR OF NATIVE BH ALONGSI THE URETARA STREAM.IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME A NATURIST MP."IF YOU HAD ASKED ME FIVE YEARS AGO WOULD I BE A PLACE LIKE THIS, I WOULD HAVE SAID NO. TO THE OUTSI, MAY SEEM WEIRD BUT 'S REALLY NOT. IT'S CHILL, RELAXED."THERE'S AN ASSUMPTN THAT BEG NAKED AROUND OTHERS IS A SEXUAL THG, HE SAYS."IT IS NOT ABOUT THAT AT ALL. IT IS NOT ABOUT HOOKG UP. WE ARE NOT SWGERS OR ANYTHG. MAYBE WHEN I AM OLR."NICHOLS FIRST TRIED BEG NAKED AMONG OTHER PEOPLE CALIFORNIA FOUR YEARS AGO.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."SOCIETY TELLS IS NORMAL TO WEAR CLOTH, BUT I LIKE TRYG NEW THGS LIFE AND EXPERIMENTG AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE."AT FIRST, WAS NERVE-RACKG. AS SOON AS YOU TAKE YOUR CLOTH OFF, YOU REALISE EVERYONE IS THE SAME. THERE'S NO REASON TO BE SHY. IT'S LIBERATG."MATT AND SOPHIE ENJOYG THE FLORA AND PICTURQUE GROUNDS. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODPROFFT AGRE. SHE MA HER TEXTILE-EE BUT FIVE YEARS AGO ATRALIA WH A GROUP OF IENDS."WE WENT SKNY DIPPG THE OCEAN. WHEN WE ME BACK TO MP NO ONE PUT THEIR CLOTH BACK ON AND WE FISHED THE ROAD TRIP NAKED - EVEN DRIVG NAKED."THE UPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN TOGETHER THREE YEARS, LIKE TO GET NAKED WHEN THEY N ON BEACH OR "SOMEWHERE WHERE PEOPLE WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WH ", SAYS PROFFT.SHE HAS ENUNTERED SOME NEGATIVY.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."A WOMAN ME UP TO ME WHEN I WAS SUNBATHG TOPLS AND SAID 'THIS IS A FAY PLACE AND MY 11-YEAR-OLD SON IS STARG AT YOUR BOOBS'."I THOUGHT THAT WAS HER PROBLEM, NOT ME, BUT I NEVER WANT TO E ANY TROUBLE SO I VERED UP."LIKE NICHOLS, SHE IS DISAPPOTED THAT NATURISM IS MARGALISED."THE PERCEPTN NEEDS TO CHANGE THAT IS WEIRD OR DISGTG. IT IS NOT PERVERTED. IT'S JT NATURAL. EVERYONE IS BORN NAKED. WE ARE THE ONLY CREATUR WHO WEAR CLOTH, SO CLOTH ARE WEIRD IF YOU THK ABOUT LIKE THAT."IT IS NOT THAT I DON'T ENJOY WEARG CLOTH, I DO. I ALSO LIKE BEG NAKED. IT SHOULDN'T BE WEIRD TO BE YOUR NATURAL SELF."BEG NAKED IS A GREAT LEVELLER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS "WORRIED WHAT PEOPLE THK OF THEM", AND LIBERATG FOR WOMEN PARTICULARLY TO EMBRACE THEIR BODI MORE POSIVELY.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."IF EVERYONE ULD SEE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME THEY WOULD REALISE EVERYONE HAS IMPERFECTNS, EVERYONE HAS LUMPS AND BUMPS ... IS JT NORMAL. DON'T WORRY ABOUT ."WARM WELE OM AMA AND TOMAMA AND TOM CARRIGAN WHO OWN THE KATIKATI NATURIST PARK. PHOTO/SUPPLIEDTHE MP'S RECEPTN IS LIKE ANY HOLIDAY MP WH TOURIST LEAFLETS, MAPS AND ICECREAMS.THERE'S A SCENT OF LEMONS AND CNAMON.SWEDISH OWNER AMA CARRIGAN, 37, A FORMER CHEF, SELLS HER SIGNATURE SAFON BUNS AND SNDAVIAN RYE BREAD ALONGSI HER JEWELLERY SIGNS. SHE PATED THE LARGE ROCKS ON THE MI GOLF URSE AS LOURFUL LADYBIRDS.BEYOND THE RECEPTN, A RED AND WHE BARRIER SIGNALS THE ENTRY TO THE MP OM WHICH POT CLOTHG IS "NOT OPTNAL".CO-OWNER TOM CARRIGAN EXPLAS.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME."CLOTH ARE NON-OPTNAL - THAT IS THE BOTTOM LE. BUT WE ARE NOT SADISTS. WE GET THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO VER UP OCSNALLY - IF YOU'RE LD, OR SUNBURNT OR WHEN YOU'RE BARBECUG, NEAR A HOT GRILL, YOU PROBABLY WANT TO PUT YOUR WILLY AWAY FOR SAFETY REASONS."OTHER TIM, WALKG AROUND, DOG THE WASHG, THE LOUNGE AREA, SNA, SPA AND POOLS, PLAYG PETANQUE, JT HANGG OUT - PEOPLE ARE NAKED AND THAT'S HOW EVERYONE LIK ."KATIKATI NATURIST PARK -OWNER TOM CARRIGAN ONT OF THE PETANQUE AREA. PHOTO/JOHN BORRENCARRIGAN SAYS THERE IS CREASG MAND NEW ZEALAND FOR PLAC TO "NAKATN" FOR PEOPLE LIKE NICHOLS AND PROFFT, WHO LIKE TO BE NAKED AT HOME AND WANT TO FD A PLACE WHERE THEY N ON HOLIDAY.HOLIDAY MPS N BE "A GATEWAY TO NATURISM" FOR THOSE CUR ABOUT THE LIFTYLE."IF YOU ARE UNSURE, HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE, BUT HAVE AN OPEN MD, E AND TAKE YOUR TIME. WE FD MOST PEOPLE GET TO REALLY QUICKLY, ENJOY , AND AFTER A WHILE THERE IS NOTHG TO - THEY JT ARE."THE CARRIGANS RECENTLY OPENED A SWEDISH CAFE ON SE WHERE DAY VISORS N E AND EAT LUNCH WH CLOTH ON ... OR OFF.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.THERE ARE PLENTY OF FIRST TIME NATURISTS WHO E TO THE RORT, CLUDG SOME WHO ARRIVED AT THE MP NOT UNRSTANDG THAT WAS A NO CLOTH VENUE."SOME PEOPLE SEE THE 'NATURIST' SIGN BUT DO NOT KNOW WHAT NATURIST MEANS, SO THEY TURN UP THKG IS A SE WHERE THEY N ADMIRE NEW ZEALAND NATIVE PLANTS AND BIRDS".AND THEY WILL.BAY HOT SPOTTHE ENTRANCE TO KATIKATI NATURIST PARK. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODTHE VAST GROUNDS ARE POPULATED WH THOANDS OF NATIVE TRE SURROUND BY THE KAIMAI MOUNTA RANGE. IN THE HUMIDY OF SUMMER, THOSE HILLS ARE CLOAKED A LORD OF THE RGS MYSTIL STEAMS.PURPLE FLOWERS, POT PLANTS AND TROPIL FLORA ARE FLOURISHG - THE GROUNDSMAN IS ALSO A NATURIST.TO THE SOUNDTRACK OF NATIVE BIRDS, GUTS BH WALK ALONG THE ROCKY STREAM, SPOT EELS OR BATHE S OLG POOLS.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.A STEEPER TRAMP IS REWARD BY A SWEEPG VIEW OF THE MOUNT.SO ANYONE SEEKG NATURE THIS RORT WILL NOT BE DISAPPOTED.THEY WILL ALSO ENUNTER UP TO 200 PEOPL MPG NAKED - HAS A MOTEL, THREE CHALETS, KCHEN BS, TENTS, MPERVANS AND RAVANS.THE HEART OF THE MP IS THE SNA, POOL AND SPA AREA WHERE GUTS SUNBATHE, SWIM, STEAM, AND SOCIALISE.A RECREATN ROOM WH LOUNGERS HOSTS MOVIE NIGHTS.THE NUDKE (NU KARAOKE) ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IS ALREADY SOLD OUT.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.A WORLD MAP ON THE WALL BY THE POOL TABLE MARKS MEMORI OF VISORS PS.MATT NICHOLS WH THE WORLD MAP. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODCARRIGAN TIMAT 80 PER CENT OF VISORS ARE NEW ZEALANRS. AMONG THE EUROPEANS GERMANS, DUTCH, AND FRENCH DOMATE, ALTHOUGH PS ARE DOTTED AS FAR AFIELD AS EGYPT, ISRAEL AND EVEN IRAN."AN IRANIAN UPLE, WHO TOLD IF THEY DID THEIR OWN UNTRY THEY WOULD BE BEHEAD."BAY OF PLENTY LOLS ARE DAY VISORS, WH SOME REGULARLY G EACH WEEKEND EVEN WTER, SAYS CARRIGAN."SOME PEOPLE LIVE OPENLY THAT THEY ARE NATURISTS, SOME LIKE TO FLY UNR THE RADAR AND WOULDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY E HERE."A MAN THE SPA SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE INTIFIED BEE OF HIS ERNMENT JOB.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.TWENTY PEOPLE HAVE MOVED TO LIVE PERMANENTLY ON SE ALL YEAR ROUND, CLUDG A BETY THERAPIST.CARRIGAN SAYS NATURIST TRENDS HAVE CHANGED OM THE 70S WHEN NATURISTS TEND NOT TO SHAVE OR N'T WEAR BODY JEWELLERY OR TATTOOS."THE TREND NOW IS TO HAVE HAIRLS PUBIC AREAS OR BE MANICURED ... BUT IS NOT A LE. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE SPECTED AT THE GATE OR ANYTHG. IT'S JT NOT LIKE THE 70S STEREOTYPE OF LONG-HAIRED HIPPI THAT PEOPLE MAY THK, ALTHOUGH IF THAT IS THE WAY YOU LIKE , FE BY TOO."VISORS WHO DO TURN UP NOT REALISG THE MOD OPERANDI OFTEN CI TO STAY. CARRIGAN TIMAT EIGHT OUT OF 10 DO.CARRIGAN TRI TO WELE EVERYONE BUT WOULD WEED OUT ANYONE IF THEY HAD "WRONG TENTNS"."WE ARE A FAY IENDLY MP. ONCE A MPERVAN OF A FAY WH THREE KIDS, 3, 6, 8 OM AUCKLAND ARRIVED NOT KNOWG, AND THEY WERE LIKE, 'OH SORRY NOT FOR '. TWO HOURS LATER THEY WERE BACK AS THEY HADN'T FOUND ANY OTHER ACMODATN, THEY LIKED THE SE AND THOUGHT THEY WOULD JT TRY FOR A NIGHT. THEY STAYED THE WHOLE SUMMER AND NOW E BACK EVERY YEAR."ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.DISPELLG MYTHSELLEN GEBEL AND BERNHARD WILER CHAT WH TOM CARRIGAN KATIKATI NATURIST PARK'S RECEPTN AREA. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODWHILE GUTS MOSTLY ARE UPL OR IENDS, THERE ARE SOME SGL AND FAI TOO.CARRIGAN WANTS TO DISPEL THE PERCEPTN THERE IS VIANCY NATURISM."IF ANYTHG CHILDREN ARE SAFER HERE THAN THEY ARE AT OTHER MPS BEE WE WATCH OUT FOR ANY APPROPRIATE BEHAVUR AND ANYONE WOULD BE OUT STRAIGHT AWAY."THE NEW ZEALAND NATURIST FERATN'S STANCE IS THAT NATURISM IS "ABSOLUTELY" SAFE FOR CHILDREN, AND SAYS ON S WEBSE,"NATURISTS DO NOT NY THE SEXUAL NATURE OF HUMAN BEGS, BUT THEY REJECT THE ALL TOO PREVALENT VIEW OUR SOCIETY THAT NUDY AND SEX ARE SYNONYMO AND THAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE "PROTECTED" OM NUDY REGARDLS OF NTEXT. NU IS NOT LEWD."GUT ELLEN GEBEL, 53, SAYS THERE IS NO PERVERSN NATURISM.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.ELLEN GEBEL. PHOTO/JAN MCLEODA NATURIST ALL HER LIFE, SHE WAS ED TO BEG NAKED AROUND OTHERS AS A CHILD GROWG UP GERMANY WH PARENTS WHO WERE NATURISTS."THERE IS NOTHG SEXUAL ABOUT A NATURIST ... I WOULD SAY IS SENSUAL ... THE FEEL OF A BREEZE ON YOUR BODY, THE WATER LAKE OR POOL ... FREE THE AIR, THE SUN, EVERYTHG ... 'S HEALTHY."AFTER SWIMMG WHOUT TOGS YOU WOULD THK WAS CRAZY TO PUT THEM ON AND HAVE THEM STICK TO YOU."THERE ARE OTHER ADVANTAG."YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO WEAR OR PACK."WHEN SHE MET PARTNER BERNHARD WILER SIX YEARS AGO, HE HAD NOT TRIED BUT WATCHG THEM CHATTG BY THE POOL WH NOTHG ON BUT SUNSCREEN AND AN ORANGE JUICE YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISE WH NZME.ELLEN GEBEL, 53, AND PARTNER BERNHARD WILER, 52, REGULARLY GO ON NAKATNS TOGETHER. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN"HE IS G ALONG NICELY," LGHS GEBEL.SCE MEETG, THE UPLE HAVE ENJOYED SEVERAL NAKATNS, AND ARE NOW EN ROUTE TO WELLGTON WHERE THE NEW ZEALAND NATNAL NATURIST FTIVAL NS FOR SEVEN DAYS WH HOTLY NTTED SPORTS TROPHI AND LEISURE ACTIVI.NAKED NEW ZEALAND

On Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:42:24 +1200, "Calum at work"Post by Calum at workPost by AngePost by David HerktI need to quickly assemble a list of 'gay beach' New Zealand. Papamoa (Tranga-the Mt), but I believe 's gettg built Beach, New Plymouth (wt of the cy)Ocean Beach, Hawk Bay (south of Havelock and Te Mata)Post by Calum at workPost by AngeGoln BayBeach - Doctor¹s Beach is a gay cloth optnal beachAll Goln Bay beach are cloth-optnal.

Post by SquirrelPost by Hugh YoungOn Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:42:24 +1200, "Calum at work"Post by David HerktI need to quickly assemble a list of 'gay beach' New Zealand. Post by Hugh YoungPost by SquirrelPost by Hugh YoungOn Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:42:24 +1200, "Calum at work"Post by David HerktI need to quickly assemble a list of 'gay beach' New Zealand.

THE WILD KIWI: GAY TRAVEL NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE TOUR

Post by SquirrelPost by Hugh YoungPost by SquirrelPost by Hugh YoungOn Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:42:24 +1200, "Calum at work"Post by David HerktI need to quickly assemble a list of 'gay beach' New Zealand. On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 07:29:43 +1200, "brazen"Post by brazenPost by SquirrelPost by Hugh YoungPost by SquirrelPost by Hugh YoungOn Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:42:24 +1200, "Calum at work"Post by David HerktI need to quickly assemble a list of 'gay beach' New Zealand. - pulled off, next time I am payg them a by AngeWellgton - Queen Elizabeth Park Kapi (QE11) is a gay the cy, Breaker Bay (past the surfers), y, Rosie and Debs took me there @-)--JohnMAuthor of Brazil: Life, Blood, Soul &Rabow Diary: A Journey the New South Ai.