Basics - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 42

Electricity

Rainbow Travel Australia T 02 9191 2979, New Zealand T 0800
123 669, W rainbowtourism.com. Works with regional gay and
lesbian travel agencies to offer tours as well as accommodation
throughout Southeast Asia, such as homestays in Hanoi.

In most parts of the region, electricity is supplied at
an almost equal balance of 220 and 230V, though
socket type varies from country to country, so you
should bring a travel plug with several adaptors.
Specific details are given in the introduction to each
chapter. Power cuts are common, so bring a torch.

Insurance
Wherever you're travelling to in Southeast Asia, you
must have adequate travel insurance. Before buying a
policy, check that you're not already covered: student
health coverage often extends during holidays and
for one term beyond the date of last enrolment, and
your home insurance policy may cover your posses-
sions against loss or theft even when overseas.
Most policies exclude so-called dangerous sports
unless an extra premium is paid: in Southeast Asia,
this can mean scuba diving, whitewater rafting and
bungee jumping, though probably not trekking.
Read the small print and benefits tables of prospec-
tive policies carefully.
You should definitely take medical coverage
that includes both hospital treatment and medical
evacuation; be sure to ask for the 24-hour medical
emergency number. Keep all medical bills and, if
possible, contact the insurance company before
making any major outlay. Very few insurers will
arrange on-the-spot payments in the event of a
major expense - you will usually be reimbursed
only after going home, so a credit/debit card could
be useful to tide you over.
When securing baggage cover , make sure that
the per-article limit will cover your most valuable
possession. If you have anything stolen, get a copy
of the police report, otherwise you won't be able to

Gay and lesbian travellers
Homosexuality is broadly tolerated in Southeast Asia,
if not exactly accepted. Thailand and the Philippines
have the most public and developed gay scenes in
the region, and gay travellers are generally made to
feel welcome in both places. Indonesia, Cambodia,
Laos and Vietnam all have less visible gay communi-
ties, but they do exist and homosexuality is not illegal
in any of them. The situation is less rosy in more
conservative Malaysia, and travellers there should be
especially discreet - despite this, there are gay bars
and meeting places in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. In
Singapore, though there is a gay scene, sodomy is
illegal, and the government gives mixed messages on
its attitude to homosexuality. Homosexuality is illegal
in Myanmar and discrimination widespread.
The tourist-oriented gay sex industry is a tiny but
highly visible part of Southeast Asia's gay scene, and
is most obvious in Thailand where gay venues are
often nothing more than brothels.
For detailed information on the gay scene in
Southeast Asia, check out the websites W utopia-asia
.com, which is an excellent resource for gay travellers
to all regions of Asia and has travellers' reports on gay
scenes across the region, and W fridae.asia, which lists
gay city guides within Asia.

ROUGH GUIDES TRAVEL
INSURANCE
Rough Guides has teamed up with
WorldNomads.com to offer great travel
insurance deals. Policies are available
to residents of more than 150 countries,
with cover for a wide range of adventure
sports , 24hr emergency assistance, high
levels of medical and evacuation cover and
a stream of travel safety information .
Roughguides.com users can take
advantage of their policies online 24/7,
from anywhere in the world - even if you're
already travelling. And since plans often
change when you're on the road, you can
extend your policy and even claim online.
For more information go to W roughguides
.com/travel-insurance.

Contacts for gay and lesbian travellers

IN THE UK
Gay Travel W gaytravel.co.uk Online gay and lesbian travel agent
with listings.

IN THE US AND CANADA
Damron Company T 1 800 462 6654 or T 415 255 0404,
W damron.com. Publisher of Damron Accommodations, which lists
hundreds of accommodations for gays and lesbians worldwide.
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association T 1 954 630
1637, W iglta.org. Keeps a list of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel
agents, worldwide, and accommodation.

IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Gay Travel T 1800 429 8728, W gaytravel.com. Trip-planning
and bookings.