Traveling the World as a Gay Interracial Couple: Tips and Insights from Barry and Teraj

Barry and Teraj are back with helpful insights for fellow out world travelers.

Meet Barry and Teraj, an extraordinary duo on a lifelong journey. They're not your average travelers; as a gay interracial couple, they're currently embarking on a global adventure, exploring over 35 countries while celebrating their recent engagement. Barry, widely recognized as Asianmapleleaf, is a prolific travel writer and a frequent contributor to Out Traveler. Teraj, on the other hand, is a talented pop/R&B artist. Notably, they both featured on “Making it With Pride,” an LGBTQ+ travel series by Out Traveler, and the equalpride video, where they attended Pride events around the globe, with stops in London, Miami, Toronto, St. Maarten, and Virginia Black Pride, during which Teraj delivered electrifying performances.

Join Barry and Teraj as they traverse the globe sharing their incredible experiences along the way. You can follow Barry and Teraj on IG @AsianMapleLeaf and @Teraj08, and read about their travel series with Out Traveler here.

We asked the talented traveling duo if they had any tips and insights for the adventurous out travelers, and we got back a good deal of useful information – like how to stay in a $1,000 villa on the beach for free or when it’s the right time to leave your drone at home.

Keep reading to learn all the important tips for out travelers from Barry and Teraj.

How to plan

OT: An around-the-world tour in seven months sounds as exciting as it does daunting. Why did you plan this trip and why now?

Traveling the world and experiencing different cultures, foods, and meeting people around the world has always been my passion. During the pandemic, I came to realize that life is too short, and I needed to reassess what was important to me. I worked in finance at a Canadian bank, but the daily 9-to-5 grind never brought me joy. It felt very unfulfilling. Work was merely a means to make money and pay the bills. Each day, I would yearn for the next vacation, and upon returning, I would dream about the next one. It was a cycle that no longer made sense to me. I thought, why wait for retirement to enjoy life? In addition, I craved personal growth and self-discovery, and this journey offered me the opportunity to expand my horizons, gain new perspectives, and discover hidden talents. This is when I decided to quit and travel around the world with Teraj, who also has a passion for travel. This trip is truly a celebration of life and the pursuit of passion.

How's it going

Where will this around-the-world tour take you? How is it going so far?

We are planning to visit all continents except Antarctica (as it will be its own trip in the future) and at least 36 countries. We started in Europe and made our way across 15 countries, mainly by rail. Then, we ended in the Middle East where we visited Dubai and Jordan (link to Jordan article) before making our way to Africa. We saw the nearly extinct silverback gorillas in Rwanda and the big five in Tanzania. We visited family and friends in Hong Kong, savored the culinary delights of Japan and Taiwan, got sunburnt in the Maldives, and even stayed on a private island in Indonesia.

Our journey will continue to Australia, New Zealand, and then to South America before heading back up to Canada/USA.

It has been four months since we started our around-the-world tour, and we have over three more months to go. It has exceeded all my expectations. It still feels very surreal to think that we have already completed more than half of the trip. We have met so many wonderful people along the way.

Be open to new experiences

For those who have never traveled beyond our borders, what are some of the benefits of experiencing different cultures, especially vastly different ones? Are any of these spots on your radar for the trip?

For those who have never traveled beyond our borders, exploring different cultures offers a profound opportunity to broaden one's worldview. I've found that immersing myself in various cultures not only enriches my understanding of the world but also leads to personal growth. Traveling allows me to learn from diverse societies and the incredible individuals I encounter along the way. It also can lead me to appreciate aspects of my own life that I may have taken for granted.

For instance, I’ve come to realize the remarkable diversity and LGBTQ+ friendliness of New York City, where we can openly express our love without a second thought. However, in regions like the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, we’ve had to be cautious and, at times, conceal our relationship. These experiences serve as a reminder of the progress that still needs to be made. On the flip side, I’ve also gained a deep appreciation for the friendliness of people in Iceland, the politeness of the Japanese, and the efficiency of Hong Kong.

In essence, every culture offers valuable lessons, and there is an abundance to discover while we travel. I firmly believe that staying within your comfort zone and never venturing beyond it limits your potential and understanding of the world. You don’t know what you don’t know until you see it for yourself. As wonderful as the United States and Canada are, there’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained from other cultures and countries.

On this trip, I anticipate experiencing some of the most significant culture shocks in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai and Jordan, as it’s a part of the world I haven’t explored before. Additionally, I’m excited about delving into the unique and distinct culture of Japan.

Plan or improvise

Do you have a specific itinerary set in advance, or will you take a more improvisational approach to where you will visit?

It’s a combination of both. Personally, I tend to be a planner, so we have a high-level itinerary established in advance. This includes details such as our destinations, the duration of our stay, and booking flights – particularly when we’re using reward points for certain flights and accommodations, which require early bookings. However, we intentionally adopt a more improvisational approach once we arrive at each location. I deliberately didn’t plan (and also didn’t have to time plan) what we were going to see, eat, or do while we were there. Upon landing, we embrace the spontaneity of deciding on a whim what we feel like doing.

Booking ahead offers several advantages, such as the opportunity to take advantage of lower flight prices and avoid last-minute fares. Additionally, in certain locations, preferred hotels can become fully booked. As an example, in Prague, we discovered it was Pride weekend after we arrived, and finding a hotel room last minute would have been nearly impossible. Furthermore, by planning ahead, we secured an overwater villa at the JW Marriott in the Maldives using Marriott Bonvoy points. There are a limited number of such villas, and without advance planning, it would have cost us over $1,200 US per night. Yet, we stayed there for free using my Marriott Bonvoy points.

On the other hand, the primary advantage of an improvisational approach is the flexibility it offers, allowing us to go with the flow and embrace serendipitous opportunities. There have been instances on our journey where we met friends and wanted to extend our stay, or we received invitations to destinations we hadn’t initially planned for.

Ultimately, it’s a delicate balance, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The choice depends on your comfort level and the kind of experience you are looking for.

Tips for incredible savings

This trip must have taken a lot of planning, and you mentioned using points. Any insights and lessons learned on how you planned for this trip?

This trip has involved meticulous planning, considering we’ve arranged over 50 flight segments, 60 hotel reservations, and 17 train bookings. Staying organized is absolutely crucial, and that's where my corporate background has proven handy. I keep track of every detail using a multi-tabbed spreadsheet, which allows me to access all the information in one place.

Another valuable tip is to research each destination thoroughly in advance. It’s essential to be aware of the visa requirements for each country and ensure that we have applied in advance or have the necessary documents on hand. We also checked vaccination requirements since some countries mandate specific vaccinations for entry, like yellow fever in certain African nations. Additionally, we considered local regulations, such as drone restrictions. Some Middle Eastern and African countries don’t even allow drones into the country, let alone flying them. We planned ahead and shipped our drone from Europe to Asia to avoid any potential issues at customs ­ we read it could have been confiscated.

Budgeting is another vital aspect of planning. Having a clear idea of expected expenses helps prevent surprises. We prepared by setting aside the appropriate amount of money for this trip. To keep costs in check, we maximized the use of reward points. We accumulated a substantial amount of Alaska Mileage Plan miles, which is arguably one of the most valuable and versatile airline miles programs, especially since they are part of the oneworld Alliance. We used our Alaska Mileage miles to book some of our more expensive flight segments and were even able to secure business class seats for some longer-haul flights. Additionally, we enrolled in both the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant and Amex Hilton Aspire cards. These cards granted us elite status at their respective properties, leading to room upgrades and complimentary breakfast, which proved invaluable at pricier locations. The cards also helped us accumulate hotel points through welcome bonus promotions, as well as points earned during our travels.

As an example, we used points to secure a luxurious overwater villa at the JW Marriott in the Maldives for a five-night stay and booked five nights at the Hilton Rio right on Copacabana Beach over New Year's. These properties would have cost us over $1,000 US per night, plus taxes if we had to pay out of pocket. However, we managed to book our stay for free.

A pro tip: Both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors offer a fifth night free when you book four nights with points. It’s essential to do thorough research and utilize your points at properties that offer the best value for your rewards. Enrolling in hotel credit cards, especially when they have welcome bonus promotions, can also significantly boost your reward points earnings.

Where to go

Are there any must-see destinations you will visit?

When planning for this trip, Teraj and I had a clear focus on countries we hadn’t yet explored and bucket list destinations. For instance, I’ve never been to Paris, so that was undoubtedly a must-see for me. On the other hand, Teraj had Japan at the top of his list, a place he’d never visited before. Both of us were eager to experience Jordan, Iceland, and the Maldives, so we included those in our itinerary.

In addition to these choices, I honestly just pulled up a map, selected places I hadn’t had the chance to visit yet, and added them to our list.

We also discovered some unique must-see destinations through Instagram. One notable example is the Cempedak Private Island Resort, a 17-hectare private adults-only island located off the east coast of Bintan, Indonesia, which is easily accessible from Singapore. It’s an eco-friendly oasis with pristine white sandy beaches and a rainforest that offers sanctuary to a diverse population of local wildlife.

When it is okay to go gay

Can you tell us about traveling together as a gay couple?

Traveling as a gay couple, particularly as an interracial one, presents its share of challenges. As previously mentioned, there have been instances in certain countries where we felt the need to hide the fact that we are a couple. It’s not uncommon for people to assume that we are not together or to simply not acknowledge us as a couple. For instance, in Bali, families and straight couples were allowed to approach the customs officer together, but when it was our turn, Teraj was instructed to step back behind the line and wasn't permitted to accompany me. In conservative countries, we often book hotel rooms with two beds to avoid any questions, and we remain cautious not to display affection that may be considered ‘too gay.’

However, it’s not all bad. Some destinations have pleasantly surprised us. Jordan, for example, stands out, where our tour guide went out of his way to make us feel welcome and even changed our room preference for a single bed knowing we were together. In Rwanda, the tour operator made a special effort to convey a message of support, encouraging us to live our lives to the fullest. Sometimes, love and respect shine through from the most unexpected places.

Out and proud

Any tips you’d like to share on traveling abroad as well as traveling as a gay couple?

First and foremost, do your research. It's crucial to have a clear understanding of your destination and whether it's safe for LGBTQ+ travelers. You can utilize resources like Out Traveler to gather information and insights.

Respecting the local culture and customs is equally essential. Recognize that certain countries may be more conservative, which means public displays of affection should be avoided. Being mindful and respectful of local norms is key to fostering a positive and harmonious travel experience for everyone. As we journey around the world, we prioritize being respectful of the local culture, striking a balance between being ourselves and not imposing our beliefs onto others.

Join Barry and Teraj as they traverse the globe sharing their incredible experiences along the way. You can follow Barry and Teraj on IG @AsianMapleLeaf and @Teraj08, and read about their travel series with Out Traveler here.