The World Traveller Series — blogs and podcasts by Brett Hayhoe

A chance airport friendship and a Kenneth Cole origin story in New York. A road trip with dear friends to the most majestic city in America. Bears on podiums in a Washington DC leather bar. And Arlington Cemetery — row upon row of white, in absolute silence. Some weekends earn their place permanently.

A warm climate that wasn't the plan. A spectacular bridge crossing Tampa Bay. A gay village doing exactly what a gay village should. A beach chair, a Latvian delegate, and a very pleasurable international incident. St. Petersburg, Florida — the conference destination that turned out to be considerably more than a conference.

A form filled in and forgotten. A five-star prize to Los Angeles and San Francisco. A lunch in Sydney that can never be repeated. A tram singer performing Old Man River to a captive carriage. And in Long Beach, two friendships that have quietly outlasted everything else. California, as it turned out, was just the beginning.

A filing exercise in Melbourne. A discovery of a forgotten conference. A board decision. And suddenly — Zurich. What began as a steep learning curve inside an international LGBTIQA+ organisation ended with twelve years serving the community on the world stage. It started, as the best things do, unexpectedly.

Thailand is not one destination but many — and this entry tries to do justice to all of them. From Bangkok's relentless energy to Chiang Mai's elephants, Koh Samui's rainbow flag moment, and the Pattaya years that followed, this is a love letter to a country with a genuinely beautiful soul.

Mexico City does not reveal itself gently. It arrives all at once — the scale of it, the noise of it, the contradictions of it — and gives you very little time to find your footing before the next thing demands your attention.

Montreal stands out as a profoundly welcoming city, hosting the unforgettable InterPride AGM and World Conference. The emotional highlight was the minute's silence during Fierté Montréal, honouring 2SLGBTQIA+ pioneers and victims of violence. Despite the bid for WorldPride going to Sydney, personal connections remained strong, with a visit from a dear friend.

Brett Hayhoe's entry recounts a memorable road trip from America to Toronto, exploring vast highways and the spectacle of Niagara Falls. Highlighting cultural moments, he reflects on American exceptionalism at the border, the grandeur of a football game, and a nostalgic tour of Queer as Folk’s filming sites.

The World Traveller Series highlights the deep, rapid friendships formed within the Pride movement, exemplified by the author's bond with Alan, which began in Vancouver. The journey explores the unhurried beauty of Vancouver and the cinematic essence of Saskatoon, celebrating the chosen families created through these connections and experiences in the movement.

Brett Hayhoe’s solo journey through Brussels, Ghent, Amsterdam, and Paris unfolds after he opts to extend a conference trip. Despite losing his wallet, he discovers invaluable lessons about travel and perspective. Through each city, he embraces both challenges and tourist attractions, underscoring the significance of seizing unexpected opportunities.

Brett Hayhoe's travel series begins in New York City, exploring why it captivates travellers despite its chaos and high costs. He argues the city's allure lies in its unique energy, cultural diversity, and architectural richness, portraying it as a living entity that invites ongoing discovery and connection, especially within its LGBTIQA+ community.

Brett Hayhoe reflects on the enduring allure of Hong Kong, a city that captivates him through its unique aromas, vibrant culture, and complex politics. The post explores the sensory experiences of returning year after year, highlighting the community, historical changes, and the emotional connections that transform visits into a sense of home.

In Entry No. 5 of The World Traveller Series, Brett returns — three times — to Montpellier in the South of France. From a site inspection to an InterPride AGM where he was re-elected President for a second term, and finally to the trip that mattered most: invited back as International Guest for Montpellier Pride, alongside his best friend Alan, a borrowed car, a GPS with its own agenda, and a Rolls Royce in Monaco that made everything worthwhile.

In Entry No. 3 of The World Traveller Series, we land in Madrid for WorldPride 2017 — one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in human history. Join Brett as he navigates the electric streets of the Spanish capital, a media conference with dignitaries, and one accidental moment of Spanish that brought the house down.

Brett Hayhoe's World Traveller series explores the allure of New York and Tokyo, highlighting their unique cultural identities. New York is portrayed as a vibrant narrative force, while Tokyo reshapes perceptions through personal experiences. The series also examines Australia’s identity as a “Lucky Country,” acknowledging both strengths and ongoing challenges, particularly regarding equity.