I’m James, originally from South Africa and currently living a digital-nomad life between Thailand and Vietnam. Over the past couple of years, I’ve spent a lot of time in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, studying Thai intensively and building a life rooted in language, culture, and daily routines that keep me grounded. My Thai is at an upper-intermediate level now, and I genuinely enjoy integrating into local communities wherever I go.

I’m now exploring Vietnam more deeply and plan to make Da Nang my long-term base. I’m drawn to places where I can build meaningful connections, live a healthy and active lifestyle, and keep learning—whether that’s languages, cultural history, or physical adventures such as surfing, trekking, and scuba diving.

Outside of travel, I work remotely in investment writing and research. My schedule is flexible, and I try to balance work with exploration, personal development, and maintaining a calm nervous system (a big theme in my life recently).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Connection is everything. After years of travelling, I’ve realised that the highlights of any trip aren’t the sights—they’re the people you meet along the way. The best memories usually come from conversations, shared meals, unexpected experiences, and the feeling of being welcomed into someone’s world, even briefly.

That’s what I appreciate about Couchsurfing. It’s a way to meet people with different perspectives, broaden my understanding of the world, and create real human moments in a world that often feels increasingly digital and transient.

Interests

• reading
• music
• hiking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• history
• languages
• food
• cultures
• calisthenics
• breathwork

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Monaco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam