Hello!
I'm Ryan; born in Parepare, South Sulawesi; grew up in Tarakan, North Kalimantan (Borneo), where I lived until I graduated from highschool; and since August 2023, I started my B.Sc. studies on mathematics in Surabaya, East Java.

I love traveling solo. As a young man, it's the best way for me to get to know myself and the world. I’m eager to explore parts of the world I’ve never seen before. While I enjoy the energy of larger cities, I’m truly passionate about nature, walking, and discovering the ecological beauty of a place. Meeting new people and having meaningful conversations about anything that sparks our curiosity is something I genuinely love. Experiencing different cultures and building connections with locals is what I look forward to the most. I'm still searching for myself and what gives me happiness. I want to try as many new things as possible, take risks, and create value for this world.

PHILOSOPHIES

''to travel better, you need to travel more''

''once a year, go someplace you've never been before'' - Dalai Lama

''don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled'' - The Prophet Muhammed

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

I’ve been traveling solo since I was 13, and it’s been a transformative part of my life. Traveling makes me happy because the world is such an incredible place to discover, and the people I meet along the way make it even more special.

Traveling has always been a passion of mine. I love visiting new places, learning about different cultures, gaining new skills, and sharing my own experiences with others. I find so much joy in teaching and exchanging knowledge—it’s such a rewarding way to connect and grow together.

I’ve been a member of Couchsurfing since 2020, though I don’t exactly remember how I stumbled upon it—maybe because of my love to travel, I found out about this app/web by exploring the internet for ways to connect with other travellers. In 2023, I started actively using the platform and have already had several amazing experiences as a host, surfer, and through meetups with fellow couchsurfers. I absolutely fell in love with the spirit of Couchsurfing, and I’m eager to create even more memorable experiences.

兴趣

The more I travel, the more I'm amazed by how vast, diverse, and beautiful this world is. Meeting people from different corners of the globe, their cultures, thoughts, and experiences is one of the best ways for me to become a mature and valuable person. As a young person, I haven’t seen much and still many things I haven't experienced yet. So, I’m open for any kind of adventure you guys are up to or something that my destination has in store for me.

I’ve hitchhiked on this wonderful planet especially in an area where there were no taxis or public transport so there’s no other way to get around.

I’ve done a bit of hiking but so far only one-day hiking without overnight camping or a heavy backpack with me. My first hiking experience was at Mt. Sibayak in North Sumatra. Since then, I’ve hiked Mount Pundak, the iconic Mount Bromo, and the stunning Mount Ijen in East Java.

I have some caving experience from a few different places, such as Pacitan in East Java, Maratua in East Kalimantan, Dabong in Malaysia, and others. I love the scrambles, the squeezes, the darkness, the mazes, the formations, the water, the creatures that live inside when I’m exploring caves. I always carry my headlamp, it’s an essential tool not just for caving, but also incredibly useful in all kinds of travel situations.

I also enjoy sending postcards to someone or through Postcrossing. I'm always on the lookout for postcards when I travel. They're cheap, lightweight, and perfect as souvenirs for both myself and others. If you're into postcards too, I'd be happy to give you one.

When it comes to food, I enjoy all kinds and love trying new dishes, whether it’s street food or a homemade meal. I don’t have any restrictions or allergies, although I’m not great with hot spicy food.

Since getting my first tent for my trip on the beautiful resort island of Maratua, I started bringing it with me on all my longer travels. I use a lightweight single-person tent, which is easy to carry and perfect for solo travel. I realize how much freedom and flexibility bringing a tent can offer. Not only does it help me save money on accommodation, but it also opens up opportunities for me to stay in interesting places surrounded by nature like in a national park, or by the beach.

Wherever I go, I always try to visit art museums, galleries, performances, and meet people involved in the arts. Art has always fascinated me and I had several amazing experiences staying at this artist's place. I also visit literary communities whenever I can. I have a lot of books that I love to donate for but the heavy weight of the books can be a challenge. I feel openness from this community and I believe in their vision to make reading materials accessible and inspiring future generations.

These days, I rarely book accommodation when I travel. Instead, I am finding interesting places to stay with. Whether it’s camping, staying with fellow couchsurfers, with local artists and literacy communities, or being welcomed by villagers or people that I just met. I’ve even spent the night at airports, train stations, or in religious places like mosques. Each place has offered its own kind of comfort, story, and connection.

• arts
• culture
• walking
• music
• outdoor activities
• camping
• geography
• history
• languages
• mathematics
• hitchhiking
• mountains
• food
• nature
• beach
• forests
• sustainability
• film
• national parks
• ocean
• postcrossing
• nature walks
• public transportation

音乐、电影和书籍

Musics : Coldplay, Olafur Arnalds, Elderbrook, Greyson Chance, Rhye, The Neighbourhood, Oh Wonder, Jordan Rakei, FKJ, Patrick Watson, Don Diablo, Galantis, Petit Biscuit, Blanco, Troye Sivan, Phoenix, Good Neighbors, Katarsis

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

- My flight from Bangkok to Jakarta was unexpectedly diverted to Singapore. What was meant to be a 3 hour flight, I ended up spending 9 hours on the aircraft.
- Stayed at a Catholic seminary in rural southern Laos. It all started when I was resting in front of a church after a day of exploring. The Father there offered me tea, then invited me to dinner, and kindly welcomed me to stay at the seminary.
- Spent a week camping on the beautiful resort island of Maratua in East Kalimantan to save money on accommodations. Incredibly in love with the stunning natural landscapes and the kindness of the local people. It was also my first experience flying on a small aircraft.
- Take a 22-hour bus journey from Tanjung Selor, the capital of North Kalimantan, to Samarinda, the capital of East Kalimantan.
- Tested positive for COVID-19 in Surabaya while trying to return home and ended up quarantined in a hospital for 8 days. I was well taken care of; they provided food, snacks, medicine, clothes, sandals, cutlery, tumblers, everything I needed, all free of charge.

教，学，和分享

I’d be happy to teach you some Indonesian if you’re interested. I also enjoy sharing my travel experiences, especially with fellow travelers who are trying to explore the world on a budget like me. If you're looking for affordable ways to get around, I can give you practical tips on public transport, cheap routes between cities, local hacks, or hidden places. I’ve learned a lot from my own adventures, and I’d be happy to pass that knowledge on.

我可以与沙发主分享些什么

I’ll do my best to follow all of your rules. I’ll always be polite and respectful to you as my host, as well as to your family, friends, neighbors, pets, and everyone. I have a lot to gain and nothing to lose. I have energy, time, and desire to learn and grow. Even though my skills might be limited, I'm always up for trying new things. I'll try, test, experience, stumble, admire, wonder, and all of this affects who I am. So, what I have to offer is the company of a person who wants to live this one life the best they can. We can engage by sharing travel experiences and talking about various topics. I'll always keep your space tidy and I can help with the household. If I still have some with me during my travels, I’d also love to give small gifts such as keychains, postcards, banknotes, or pouches.

我游览过的国家

Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor)

我居住过的国家

Indonesia