Born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia I don't mind a glass of wine or 10. I'm an easy going and respectful Aussie that loves travelling, basketball and old cars (especially Japanese). I've traveled around quite a bit and love doing strange things that get you off the beaten track. Google maps is nothing but a handy guide because you definitely have more fun when you get lost. I'm open minded, I like trying weird things. I've eaten crickets, rat paste, goats testicle vodka, eels, raw horse, bee larvae. Love it all. I'm an extrovert, I like doing stuff with people. Sharing experiences is always fun.

I play a lot of basketball. In every country I go it's amazing to find a different basketball culture with the same essential idea that the game acts as another language. It brings people together in playing a sport they love and the streetballers I've met across the globe have always inspired me.

Instagram @benlaughing

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It's a great way to meet people, make friends and get a different perspective on the culture. It can save money but that's not the point, I like to spend that money with my host anyway. Couchsurfing is a certain kind of karma that needs to be respected. Having hosted a few people I understand the effort it takes to be a host, so I am very thankful to the people who do it.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCES

I have lots of funny memories from couchsurfing and have loved everyone I've met; from the guys in LA that took me around, to my friend in Montreal that gave me Brazilian drinks every night, to exploring Chicago with a legend. These people inspire me to be a great host and thoughtful guest.

Interests

Snowboarding, basketball, drinking games, cars, dogs, hiking, surfing (can't surf), music sessions, sitting on the beach, going clubbing, finding nice beer gardens, eating, sleeping, looking at memes

• dogs
• culture
• design
• digital design
• education
• coach
• drinking
• drinking games
• traveling
• cars
• socializing
• hiking
• surfing
• snowboarding
• basketball
• communications
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Electronic, house, indie, rock, love going to gigs and festivals

Books - The Hobbit, Cuckoos Calling, Catcher in the Rye

Movies - Hot Rod, Role Models, Pulp Fiction, anything Tarantino

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

-Climbed Mt Fuji to see the sunrise over Tokyo
-Hiked Mt Yaka daka, active volcano, Kamikochi
-Went fast on a snow-mobile in Winnipeg
-Rode a motorbike through several Vietnamese cities
-Snowboarding in 2 meters of snow in Niseko
-Bathing often with naked Japanese men
-Drove around the entire island of Vanuatu
- Gay pride parade in LA
-Staying up until 6am for Australia day in Budapest
-Shooting many fireworks in Berlin for new years eve
-Snowboarding in shorts on Aussie day at Big White
-Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
-Dog sledding in Banff

Teach, Learn, Share

It's always good to share travel stories. Most csers are travellers themselves and it's always interesting to listen to someone else's take on a city or a place.

I coach basketball so I can teach you that. Also if your car is broken I can take a look at it, I've done a lot of mechanic work in the past.

I study media and digital design so if you have a job in that area it would be cool to see what you do

What I Can Share with Hosts

- My toothpaste
- Lessons in Aussie slang
- Buy you alcohol
- Clean up your kitchen
-Cooking and sharing food
-Show you my music

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, United States