CURRENT MISSION

Improving life in the city through community building, food, data and greening.

ABOUT ME

Grew up as an immigrant in Australia. As a child, I had a map of the world on my desk that I covered with pencil trails of imaginary voyages that I would research from chunky encyclopedias. I soon decided that travelling was much better than studying the world from a desk and I have tried to do that whenever possible since, even in my own town and country. I prefer the road less travelled to main street. I have a huge desire to see more of the world, learn from its people and be of some help to them. So many prejudices can be overcome by the simplest of encounters. Hence my attraction to this project. My wife and I both have backgrounds and experience in international field (international relations and international public health) and our hope right now is to set our son off to a good start on what will hopefully be a lifelong journey of adventurous travel, and generous and kind giving and receiving of hospitality and learning along the way.

PHILOSOPHY

Stay curious. Never stop learning.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've surfed in Europe and Asia so far. I've been to several meet-ups as well.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Have surfed before and met some fantastic people. I'm more than happy to share the experience and am hoping to get a place that I can share with surfers. I grew up in a family that always had people coming to stay and would prefer a couch in the company of interesting people to a five-star penthouse anytime.

Interests

Meeting people, languages, history, geography, travelling, movies, live music and comedy, discussing design, urbanism, architecture and aviation.

• singing
• architecture
• design
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• running
• walking
• aviation
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• live music
• guitar
• karaoke
• sports
• geography
• history
• international relations
• languages
• permaculture
• improv
• trees
• international development
• adventure sports
• urbanism
• nature conservation
• community development

Music, Movies, and Books

Bowie, Flume, the Clash, AC/DC, Midnight Oil, Gorillaz, Blur, Massive Attack, Florence, Ben Harper, Hermitude, swing, Benny Goodman. Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Prodigy, Foo Fighters, Black Eyed Peas, rai, rumba catalana; Fave films: French cinema, Luc Besson films, Lost in Translation, Stranger than Fiction, Inception.
Especially love books about history, geopolitics, urban design and permaculture.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Done: Ran the Paris half and full marathons.
Seen: Luminescent leaves on the ground while walking in the pitch black rainforest near the High Range - Queensland

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some French and Mandarin and share lots of travel experiences.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food - always fun to cook in company. Music - Do you play guitar/ukelele or sing (karaoke included)? Dance - me gusta salsa. Exploring - I'm a pretty good travel partner around town and would love to explore with you. Also up for some running or sport if you need a partner.

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Belgium, Canada, Chad, China, France, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, China, France, Singapore, United Kingdom