Courtesy of ABC.com/Bachelorette
We can’t believe it is finally over. The Bachelorette's Ashley and JP have found love courtesy of the reality dating adventure. And, oh is he madly in love with her! And boy, does she love him! Ohhh, it’s just so beautiful! But seriously, who wouldn’t find true love on the kind of exotic, once-in-a-lifetime dates ABC set them up with?
Here, we recap the tropical locations they were privileged to moon about in -- but we've tweaked them a little so if you want to give it a go, you can do so... just a little more gay-ly.
Skip the jump to find out more...
JP and Ashley Date One: 1-on-1: Stay at home – Los Angeles, USA
This was a little bit, well, boring really. But we guess you do get to see one another more up close and personal. We suggest while in the City of Angels you achieve that romantic, homey feel but with a bit more lust. Hit up Spa Montage where you can be right in the middle of Beverly Hills and be pampered like there is no tomorrow. We would much rather do that instead of watching a DVD.
JP and Ashley Date Two: Group Date – Phuket, Thailand
OK, OK. We cannot compete with this one. Helping out kids who became orphaned from the Thai tsunami in 2004. You can go spend as long or as little time as you want at the Baan San Fan Orphanage (where they helped out on the show), but may we suggest a little personal relaxation and reflection time after by staying at Bayan Tree Hotels and Resorts . Included on the Conde Nast Traveller Gold list 2011 (and of course ours) this luxurious five star hotel will surely be a place you can find romance.
JP and Ashley Date Three: Group Date Featuring Thai Boxing – Chiang Mai, Thailand
Suggestion: don’t beat up your partner. Instead: just watch a Muay Thai boxing match. Trust us, watching two men wearing little silk shorts and gloves, getting all sweaty and fighting to show who is supremest does no one any harm. And when in town why not check out one of the things Chiang Mai is also famous for? The elephants. A two day/ one night course which teaches the basics of becoming a Mahout (elephant carer) at the Maesa Elephant Camp will definitely be memorable. Learn commands (for the elephant), paint the elephant (we all love decorating), give them a bath (everyone loves a rub down), ride the elephant (yeehaw!) and participate in an elephant show (which includes a very special massage).
And in between discovering the rest of Chiang Mai, rest your heads just outside of town at the gay-owned PJ’s Place (yes, we too saw the same letters featured in JP’s name. It could be a sign -- but probably not).
JP and Ashley Date Four: 1-on-1: Viewing the skyline – Hong Kong
The rest of China has slowly caught up with Hong Kong on the gay front, but we think Hong Kong is still its leader. It has the best shopping (check out the IFC Mall) and taking the train up to view the skyline in the evening is very romantic. Here is another suggestion: Take a ride in the crystal cabin on the Ngong Ping Cable Car to get a view over the world’s most impressive cityscape before landing and taking a short walk to Tian Tian Buddha on Lantau Island. Here you will find serenity while overlooking this giant Buddha sitting on his lotus.
And where else would we suggest, but the grandest of them all -- The Peninsula, a hotel like no other. It has been said that staying on the mainland and overlooking the island is the best way to see HK, and we would have to agree. In a perfect location, this hotel faces the river, overlooks the island and has one of the best nightscape views you can imagine. The hotel is also famous for its High Tea in the afternoons -- perfect after that long day of exploring.
JP and Ashley Date Five: Group Date: Faux-wedding Photos – Taipei, Taiwan
So Ashley is a little bit obsessed with weddings. This is most obvious during the group date when the gang had their traditional Taiwainese wedding photos taken. You, too, can go play dress up and have your photos taken, or you can try something a little more cultural like combining shopping with eating. Make sure you check out the Shinlin Night Market where you will find snacks of all sorts and goods that you thought only existed in your imagination.
And to rest? Well we all know that W Hotels have always had our back and this year they opened up in Taipei. W Taipei is faannnncy. The location is smack in the middle of fashion, nightlife, culture and everything in between. And the cosmopolitan meets chic rooms will let you unwind, relax, and escape into a world unknown.
JP and Ashley: Date Six: 1-on-1: Meet the parents – New York City, New York
OK so, they didn’t exactly go to New York, but we thought Hey! JP is from New York, so why not? We also think that date number six is not really the best time to meet the parents but we did like the roller skating thing. That was kind of cute -- kind of kicking it old school. And at the moment, thanks to the gorgeous High Line, NYC has the High Link Rink. For $12 you can go pull on a pair of skates, hold on to each other, and skate around and around. How lovely.
And hotel wise -- way too many choices! Like way too many. Check out our Out Top Pickshere including Jumeriah Essex House, Ace Hotel and The Bowery Hotel.
JP and Ashley: Last Chance: 1-on-1: All Alone – Fiji
The two “lovebirds” pretty much just hung out on the beach on every date they had in Fiji. And why not? The magnificent clear blue water, white sand beneath the toes, and sun beaming down. So we thought to top it all off we would just tell you about a gay-owned -- therefore gay-friendly -- hotel in Fiji: Qamea Resort and Spa where you will find endless activities, fabulous hospitality, amazing beach front bures and the passion? Trust us, it will flare.
-- JESSICA KLAEBE
