I've lived in several countries, on different continents, for my work and studies, and I've traveled in many more. I feel at home all over the world. My home base is Rotterdam, but I still travel quite a bit for work and pleasure.

I'm a calm and relaxed person, a bit of an introvert and serious guy. At the same time, I am open, friendly, enthusiastic to meet others, and welcoming.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've stayed in enough impersonal hotels in my life. Couchsurfing offers a nice alternative. As a host, I enjoy opening my home to travelers (when time allows) and offering them a more personal experience and sharing some local insights. As a guest, I feel honored to meet and engage with locals in their own environment.

I welcome guests for whom my couch is not just a free place to stay, but who are open and interested to socialize, and who are respectful of me and my home. I have the same attitude when I request a couch in someone else's home.

Couchsurfers of all ages are welcome: I particularly welcome older travelers, just as I make use of CS as a not-so-young person anymore.

Hope to make new friends and share quality time with my guests and hosts.

Interests

• architecture
• hiking
• table tennis
• badminton
• massage
• naturism
• urban exploring
• massage exchange
• urbanism
• walking in nature
• beer lover

Music, Movies, and Books

Prefer non-fiction and history. News junkie: I actively follow current events and international affairs.

Independent film and documentaries, crime and suspense are my favorite genres.

Have a very eclectic taste when it comes to music, depending on my mood, from blues and soul and rich African/Latin rhythms to the haunting notes of modern European classical music (Arvo Pärt or Zbigniew Preisner).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Raising a child (who is now 18 already and therefore already legally an “adult”…. How time flies!)

Remaining an optimist. Avoiding negativity. Live for the moment, as much as possible. The world can be a crazy place; sometimes you need to stop the roller coaster. Take it easy, take a deep breath and enjoy the little things. Open your eyes and your senses: every day is amazing. Keep learning and growing.

Teach, Learn, Share

Curious to learn about others and their experiences and stories.

Love to share massage. I am an amateur masseur and have a massage table at home. There is no better way to make contact (literally!) than through massage. Always open to massage exchanges. And always open to learning new massage techniques.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I prefer to host independent travelers, who can entertain themselves during the week. At times I can be very busy with work or travel, and during the week I may only come back home later in the evening. But if I agree to host, then I will make an effort to spend some time with my guest....sharing a meal or a drink and other activities, and giving local travel advice or touring places together.

It would be great to share a beer (or a glass of good wine) together.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Netherlands, Thailand, United States