Updated: Fall 2024 (Moved back to Singapore)
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☀️ Good Vibes ☀️

Hey there, thank you for taking time to stop by my profile. I hope you’re doing great!

My name is Vijay, and I am currently on my 3rd stint in Singapore, my second home in a way, and I am currently rediscovering South East and Far East Asia after over a decade.

I love travelling, meeting new people, exploring places, learning and trying new things. I’m here to meet new people and try new experiences. I’ve travelled in different countries and also hosted friends from abroad. Those were such fun and memorable experiences!

I have an immense sense of appreciation for life, the various flavours it brings, and I value kindness, positivity, trust, and mutual respect. I love getting outdoors, be it hiking, go kayaking, golfing, biking, rowing, ice skating, or on road trips.

I am planning a RTW for the summer of 2026 to spend my 150k + AmEx points!

In my past life, I used to be a civil servant with the Canadian Government (provincial) driving health-tech, data analytics & AI. I am passionate about AI-Tech Startups/VCs, have a master-level research degree in Artificial Intelligence in collaboration with the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), and, before COVID-19, as a hobby, I used to do CrossFit, teach yoga, and conduct executive mindfulness sessions.

Finally, if at all it matters, which I believe should not, I am an Indo-Canadian with loose ties to Malaya/Singapore, and more importantly, I identify as a Global Citizen 🌎

Overall, to sum it up,
♫ free-spir·it·ed | light·heart·ed | !mp3rf3ct ♫

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love travelling, making connections, exploring places, and learning about different viewpoints and perspectives.

Be kind!

Interests

• music festivals
• yoga
• motorcycles
• live music
• hiking
• kayaking
• road trips
• beaches
• nature
• biking
• mindfulness
• meeting new people
• healthy lifestyle
• startups
• meeting interesting people
• dating
• slow life
• active lifestyle

Music, Movies, and Books

Spotify Global Top 50 / Billboard / iHeartRadio Top 40 (this playlist has ensured that I am not stuck in time/caught up with genres, and my memories are often linked to the top songs of the time).

Like I know I was at Daytona Beach, FL when the song ‘Something Just Like This’ by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay topped the charts. And every time, this song plays on my SUV radio, I know I was at Daytona Beach!

And, when I created this profile, it’s Karma by TS and ‘Lottery’ - the song by Latto ft. LU KALA - ‘you know you hit the lottery, cha-ching, cha-ching!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Go hiking in Wales with no plans or maps.

The runner up is flying in to London Heathrow with no idea on how to find the High Street@ Street pre-google maps days, only to carve the path to be at Glastonbury a few years down the line.

Teach, Learn, Share

Travel tips, Technology, Yoga, English, Positivity, Kindness

Host while I can.

Plus, if you’re up for it, we can go around biking in Singapore, or go around the island on a motorcycle, it’s FUN! Also, if you swim/are comfortable getting on the water, we can go kayaking and paddle our way to an awesome view of downtown Singapore.

And, if I am home in Canada, we can go overlanding or on road trips with bikes/kayaks on a hitch rack. It’s pretty cool!

Finally, I get plenty of requests that I sometimes struggle to keep up. I also don’t go looking for people to host, so it’s better to drop a message. And, if I am unable to host/spend time with you, feel free to use the below gems that I and my incredible guests/surfers on their free-will have helped put together - this was initially in my head, and then written on a document once upon a time. It’s work in progress, and feel free to write to me in case of suggestions or requests. And if you are my guest, I am happy for you to stay in cozy, or be free and easy!

Download an offline version of google maps, and it works without internet.

1. SURF SINGAPORE

Singapore is a walk-friendly city and commute is convenient with public transport. Apple pay or Visa/Mastercard usually work across trains/buses without additional transit cards. The below sightseeing spots are walk-friendly and is route-optimized from my place - thanks to my guests/surfers. But, it will work well if you get to the starting point and follow through. It’s best done before 11 am or after 5 pm as days can be hot and humid.

🌃 Marina Bay - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ppyiCyC4iowQZUnN7?g_st=i

(use editor’s order - it’s route optimized by many people before you, or feel free to edit the order if you discover something new)

🏢 Colonial / Civic District - https://maps.app.goo.gl/7QrwoJa7pNcFRkLU9?g_st=i

🌴Gardens by the Bay - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TaKdiZKeEgMRXFjv8?g_st=i

🏮Chinatown - https://maps.app.goo.gl/H6roukY5fMRyjKZs5?g_st=i

🪷 Little India - https://maps.app.goo.gl/PUuvsbqvJ54eN6Aw8?g_st=i

🕌 Kampong Glam - https://maps.app.goo.gl/RdUnQKBET8nwVajm9?g_st=i

🌿 Botanic Gardens - https://maps.app.goo.gl/AbdBy6wvnJgsP79UA?g_st=i

🏝️ Sentosa Island - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5GspHhe8k62kqBPGA?g_st=i

2. BIKE SINGAPORE

I suggest you use Hello Ride or Anywheel, the blue or green orphan bikes that you spot almost anywhere in Singapore just waiting to be picked up. It’s nothing fancy but does its job if you spend time to choose the right one, I have clocked almost 300kms on this. Ride safe!

Hey there! Check out your HelloPass and join me to become a HelloRider!

🚴‍♂️ https://m.hellobike.com/AppHelloBikeGlobalH5/latest/index.html#/inviteSignIn?inviteCode=7829e95d74de4feea5ce78d4c46678b5&tenantId=t_sea_sg

Hey! Collect your free ride coupon and join me to ride with Anywheel! -          

🚴 https://hello.anywheel.sg/pub/referral/LKS4NUPZ

How to use - https://youtu.be/-Boh_QKj4vg?

The bike routes I usually take my guests/surfers around.

🌅 Bike by the Bay - https://maps.app.goo.gl/XSXsZErDRDde3xoi9?g_st=ic

🏖️ Beach to the City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/a1eNxvCueta357jdA?g_st=ic

3. NATURE

Just can’t afford to undermine this. Once, I had a friend visit from rural France, on a stopover around Christmas holidays on her way to Thailand, who got overwhelmed by the city’s hustle and bustle, and we had to take some paths less traversed.

🥾Nature Walks - https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities/nature-walks-tours/

🌳Visit Parks - https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/parks

4. BONUS

Some fun stuff you must do without spending a dime, apart from those light shows, of course:

⛵️DBS Sailing At The Bay (book on the first day of the month – these get booked super-fast): https://www.dbs.com/sailing/index.html

🌆 Sky Garden (Level 51) @ CapitaSpring - https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/1arden/1-arden-sky-garden-urban-sky-walk-experience-9304739237

💃 Ladies Night on Wednesdays - https://sg.celavi.com/events/ladies-night, https://thewinery.com.sg/news/ladies-night-free-flow-cocktails-chijmes, many more!

📸 Photo Tour: Capture Marina Bay After Dark - https://www.apple.com/sg/today/event/photo-tour-capture-marina-bay-after-dark-mbs-store/

And finally, remember, after all it's Five O'Clock somewhere!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Positivity, Kindness, Travel Tips, Life Experiences, Road Trips, Technology, Yoga, English, Volunteering

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Germany, India, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States