CURRENT MISSION

To keep going on my soul/sole journey through this part of the world and continue to find personal happiness through time and space, people and place, and the here and now, all the while looking to be my own best friend.

ABOUT ME

Well...I am a meanderer of life, a smiling, gentle and kind man, who enjoys a good balance of alone time to make time with people a treasure. After Spending five years living and working on an island conservation reserve I decided it was time to leave my job and see some of NZ and the world, which is what I have been doing since November 2011. That began with a work trip to NZ's most easterly islands, saw me at home making a campervan which i would then drive a summer and many kms round home seeing friends and family and having great adventures, before flying to Australia to see my brother and his wife, and then the big jump - my first time out of oceania - into England. Brilliant six months of my life travelling by car and tent around highlands, moorlands, islands and Irelands, Scotlands too. Really great to see old friends, new family and the landscape that is rooted in my ancestry. Felt good to be on that sacred old earth. Just spent the last three months in Espana, and now, well, I'm not sure... maybe seeing you!

PHILOSOPHY

I live my life trying to be a friend to all, with the goal that once I leave people, we both depart smiling and happy. I am on a quest (as well all are) to find continued personal happiness through all the many ways this is possible on this lovely planet we call home. I especially go after this through important time alone in the outdoors, through good books, music and film, by keeping fuel in my tank, and buzzing of the serendipitous things life throws at us to enjoy, the people, places, encounters and anecdotes that make life special and get you through the hard times.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

As of right now - March 2013 - this will be my kick off into the realms of couch surfing, well, officially anyway. Always stayed on people's couches, and had many stay on mine - it's the kiwi (NZ)way, give a good person a bed when they need it, and one day you will get one in return.

Interests

Nature. Conservation. The Earth. Reading. Writing. Films. Photography. History. Philosophy. Kind caring people. Good conversation. Serendipity. The outdoors. Camping. Surfing. Mountain biking. Walking. Design. Construction. Sustainability. Renewable energies. Travel. Meeting people old and new. Time alone. Cups of tea. Reading under trees then curling up to sleep on the land. Adventuring. Time with friends and family. Playing guitar. Listening to music. Rambling. Wandering and lounging.

• writing
• books
• design
• photography
• walking
• flying
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• magic
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• camping
• surfing
• genealogy
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Tom Robbins, Hunter S. Thompson, Edward Abbey, Jack Kerouac, Hemmingway, comic books, nature books, history books, graphic novels, photography books.
Music: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Beck, Calexico, Beastie Boys, Jurassic Five, Crosby, Stills and Nash...Classic rock, indie, grunge, jazz, blues, ska, punk, roots, classical...so much good music in the world!
Movies:Blues Brothers, Apocalypse Now, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie, The Sting, Rear Window, Star Wars 4,5,6, Indiana Jones...Once again, too much to list, just love watching movies!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

So many. Just to choose something though... The joy of wearing the uniform of NZ's conservation department with the charge of protecting my countries unique, special and in trouble ecosystems. Doing this and seeing people smile from the experience I have unlocked for them, which in turn always unlocks the magic again for me.

Teach, Learn, Share

Love to share my knowledge of New Zealand and its native flora and fauna, with designs on helping people understand about the intricacies of biodiversity on the planet and its place in the field of wider conservation of our natural realm.