Dear all Asia-travellers.

My boyfriend and I are travelling to Bangkok from Copenhagen 29/6-2012 via Instanbul and arriving in Bangkok the 30th.

Then the plan is to spend two whole days and then fly to Bali 3/7. And staying for 8 nights until the july 11th. We have book a hotel a little outside Ubud center - Ubud Dedari Villas. Does anyone have experience with this place?
We are meeting friends in Bali in this period, so the dates and time cannot be changed, but I am a little concerned whether or not we will get bored during the evenings/night because we are Danes, so we love to party. How easy is it to get to Kuta/Legian and back again at night/morning? Or should we try to find a cheap hotel to crash after a night of partying?

The 11th of july the plan is to fly to Koh Samui via Phuket and stay there for 10 nights. BUT again are we wasting our time on Samui, we want to end our vacation by relaxing at a beach (ALSO a place where it doesn't rain all day) with a drink in hand, and we like the possibilities of the night life in Samui.

Should we include another place in South East Asia before arriving at Samui? Or do you guys have any other ideas for a place with amazing beaches and some kind of nightlife.

We are a young gay couple, not that we wanna party at gay places at all, but we wouldn't like being in a place/country/city where homosexuality is seen as something bad, we wanna be able to be ourselves ... wow a long message.. But I hope there is someone with the magic answers..
All the best Jacob and Josias!

It's a good hour drive between Ubud and Kuta. If you want to party, maybe you want to stay in Kuta. On the other hand, you won't be driving, you'll be hiring someone to drive you.

Koh Samui should have good weather in July.

You might want more time in Bangkok on your way out. There is lots to do and see in Bangkok.

I wouldn't add any other destinations.

Thanks for your reply, Kathie.

We don't wanna party, we wan't to experience the nature and culture of bali, which I've read is best done from and in Ubud.

But what if we wanted a night out, and got a driver to drive us to Kuta, is it then possible to get back home at night or early in the morning, or should we have a place to crash?

Ubud is great for arts, culture and nature, but it shuts down after dark. Commuting between Ubud and South Bali is doable but it's a long drive, as Kathie says at least an hour each way. I guess you could snooze on the way back. If you choose to do this, hire a driver to drive and wait for you as it would be difficult to find someone to drive you to Ubud in the middle of the night. I'd guess this would cost about US$100 for the night, maybe more.

All of Bali is gay friendly. The more sophisticated clubs are in the Seminyak area.

Since you have 8 nights, why don't you spend a couple in Seminyak? Waking up on the beach is nice too. The Colony would be perfect: a moderately priced boutique hotel very near a good beach, close to restaurants and clubs, with an urbane young clientele.

I stayed there recently. I'm an early to bed, early to rise person and it seemed that many of my fellow guests were just getting in when I was getting up.

@marmot - thanks alot for your very informative answer.

We will get a lot of beaches on Samui, so I think we'll stay in Ubud, and then maybe drive down early to the Kuta/Seminyak area for some shopping, bathing and partying and book a cheap hotelroom to crash in. And then back the next morning to Ubud.

But The Colony looks amazing. Thanks again.

Do you think we are missing out on something in the SE Asia area? Should we add another destination? Singapore? More Indonesia, Thailand? or Malaysia?

There are many, many wonderful places to visit in SE ASia. I've been going to SE Asia almost annually for 25 years or so and I haven't visited all the places I want to go. But SE Asia is best savored at a slow pace.

So yes, you are missing dozens of wonderful places. But this is just your first visit to SE Asia. I predict there will be many more.

For a very cheap but clean, friendly and functional place to stay in Kuta try the Masa Inn. My twenty something son and his friends swear by it.

Thanks alot both of you for your help. I feel good and at ease about the trip now.
Have a wonderful 2012.

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www.goldenbanana.info
add several days here pare back from Koh Samui
It is amazing largest temple complex in Asia.
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adventurous cheap and fun!

I don't have any help to offer, but when I read your title, it seemed to me like you should find a third place that starts with a B to keep the nice alliteration going.

Bangkok, Bali, and Baltimore (kidding)

Wherever you decide, have a great trip! Bali's on my list, too, but not right away.

I'd say that gay life in Bangkok easily beats anywhere else on your list, my friends. You might consider a few more days there... stay in Silom. If Le Meridien has a good rate stay there. Perfect location.

You may find Malaysia somewhat less than gay-friendly.