Made in China, traveled the world, found home and started a photography business in Australia in the middle of the pandemic

MY STORY
In 2016 I quit my job in Shanghai and traveled all the way alone from Mongolia, through Russia and Europe to Morocco. I took it as a career break. Then I went back to Shanghai and stayed for one year. But I realized I couldn’t live the “normal” life any more so in 2018 I started wandering the world again while trying to find a way to sustain my “abnormal” lifestyle. And I made it.

Then I got tired of being on the road and in 2019 I came to Australia. The moment I landed at Cairns Airport, I felt like home and decided to stop being a nomad and settle down for a while. In the second month I started a photography business here. Here’s my website in case you’re interested https://minxuphotography.com and https://www.instagram.com/minxu.photography/ I've also had my own exhibitions and am working on having more exhibitions.

I’m a Chinese citizen now living in Australia, on my way to achieving the goal of becoming financially free before 40. Then I might retire in Australia. I might move to Sicily. You may see me in Costa Rica. Who knows 🤷‍♀️

I can be very spontaneous, which is good but I've had quite some troubles because of this. Nonetheless, I never learned my lesson. Well I’m very organised and have to make big decisions in my business so when it comes to personal life and traveling, I can’t be bothered.

I have no idea why I'm curious about so many things. I had a long to-do-list before the age of 30. People who know me say I'm adventurous and crazy. But now that I’m 30, my life is slowing down a bit. Well, life is short. Why not live for the present and enjoy life? At least when I’m too old to be crazy, I have something to recall and tell my grandchildren, well if I have grandchildren.

I'm passionate about cultures and interested in learning languages. I'm always keen for any good crazy ideas.

PHILOSOPHY
If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

This is a silly question. Of course I surf, host, and meet up with people.

Interests

My biggest passion is photography.
Check my website https://www.minxuphotography.com/

I like travelling (like everyone here :D) I don’t like planning for my trips though.

Being a businesswoman, I’m also interested in talking about business, finance, property and investment!

I like hiking, chasing waterfalls and most outdoor activities.

My other interests are cooking, gardening, boxing, bachata, freediving and recently got into vinyasa yoga.

I'm interested in languages. I learned Spanish by myself (forgot most of it). I hope to learn Arabic in the future.

• culture
• photography
• salsa dancing
• bachata
• yoga
• gardening
• hiking
• surfing
• boxing
• business
• nature
• freediving
• cryptocurrency
• investment

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite movies: drama, documentary
Favourite music: Reggae, Latin, some 70s and 80s
Favourite book: the little prince

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Moved to Australia being so broke, couldn’t find a job so I started a business.

Teach, Learn, Share

Maybe I can teach you how to be...crazy! Seriously I can teach some basic photography tips and photoshop skills if you are interested. You will be able to make a good photo in 10mins under my instructions 😂

I want to learn pole dance, bachata, surfing, languages and a lot more! (Bonus point if you dance bachata or speak Spanish :)

I can share how I abandoned the traditional Chinese pathways laid out for me, to chase my dreams and live for myself.

I can also share about life experiences, starting and running a business in a foreign country, managing personal finance, life of an immigrant…

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can teach you some photography or drone skills if you're interested.

I love cooking (Chinese, Italian, French, Mediterranean, Thai, Indian.. a bit of everything and my own creation of food) so I’m happy to cook a meal or two.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, North Korea, Poland, Qatar, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, China, Malaysia, Thailand