Looking forward to a new chapter in my life with my beautiful wife Grace! (https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/grace-joo)

We've been married since October 2018 and since meeting had this idea of going on an extended journey together. We're finally at that stage and begin in May 2019.

Our plan so far is to meet in Mongolia and spend 2.5 months, spending roughly 2 weeks in Mongolia, Russia (mainly Irkutsk and around Lake Baikal), Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. During our central Asian trip we're hoping to do plenty of hikes, meet and stay with locals and go through part of what was once the silk road.

From Kyrgyzstan we'll be flying over to Turkey (mid August) where we'll be spending ~2 weeks in Bodrum with my family, followed by a 1 month trip through the Mediterranean, Gaziantep, Sanli Urfa, Kapadokya and some other places in between before returning to Istanbul for a short stop over to catch up with my extended family.

Then we're off to India & Nepal where we'll be catching up with some of Grace's previous CS hosts, and exploring new places down south and up north east of India. We're looking at roughly 3 months across the two nations, but check out Grace's profile for a more detailed itinerary.

We'll be finishing off (well you never know but most likely) in Korea. As we have 3 months on our visa I'd like to make the most of that and try and stay as long as possible to be able to learn Korean. Hopefully we'll have enough time to explore most the country but we'll also be spending some time with Grace's extended family as well as try our luck at volunteering/woofing.

A brief summary of myself from a few years ago below:

When settled, we live Sydney. I have a background in mechanical engineering but I currently work as a spot trader in the wholesale electricity market.

I got introduced to CS during my uni years as I was trying to find a cheaper and more intimate way to travel, especially when on my own. I met many amazing people through CS, particularly during my gap year and look forward to hosting more people in our new home with Grace.
A little more about me that I wrote all those years ago.. nothing much has changed, though I’m now picking up basic Korean to make sure our kids grow up multilingual!

I am half Australian and half Turkish and spent an equal amount of time in both countries, although the last 10 or so years of my life have been based in Sydney. I am fluent in both English and Turkish and have a reasonable grasp of Italian. I had a pathetic attempt at Czech for a short period but now I'm determined to pick up Spanish and eventually Arabic.
I enjoy being active and outdoors. I'm a fan of hiking, beaching and football. I prefer to play over watching. I've started to pick up books lately. I can be calm, but I do get excited and carried away at times.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've done my fair share of surfing during my gap year. Both online through CS and by crashing with people/mates I met along the way. I have hosted a few people outside of CS, and some friends that I've met through CS as well. Grace and I are hoping to host more once we settle in together so we can give back.

I found I always look for CS events when I'm away but tend to keep to myself at home. I guess that's because I'm an early sleeper.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first couchsurfing experience was in Switzerland in July 2013 and I have strived to continue couchsurfing ever since! I couchsurfed in Ostrava, Czech Republic with a University student, stayed with 2 separate students in Cluj, Romania and a primary school friend in Vienna. I spent Christmas with an amazing Czech family and had one of the best weeks of my life.

In my travels around South America, I had the opportunity to immerse in the culture by surfing in Bogota, Lima and Cuzco, and Salvador (Brazil). Not all of my experiences of surfing were through CS though, as I stayed with families and friends I met along the way.

Back home, I've hosted a few friends I met overseas either through CS or travels. As before marriage I stayed with my parents and space was a little tight, I wasn't able to host as much. However Grace and I will have a spare bedroom when we come back - until a baby comes along anyway! Our home is always open to people we met along the way!

Interests

Meeting new people around the world and experiencing their way of life.

I enjoy going to the beach a lot and being outdoors. I used to game but found it way too addicting so I've stopped (thank you Football Manager).

I love playing football (soccer) and although I exercise regularly, I can't say I enjoy it too much.

• culture
• books
• dining
• drinking
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• surfing
• skiing
• soccer
• engineering

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: 3 Idiots, Into the Wild, Diarios de Motocicleta, Cidade de Deus, The Prestige, V for Vendetta, Batman Trilogy

Books: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared, Historical and Political Books - John Pilger

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Getting married to Grace and embarking on this year long journey together! I'm sure there will be plenty to add here!

Spending a week over Christmas with a Czech family I barely had even met before! I experienced so many new things, including skiing, food, drinks and much much more! I definitely had one of the, if not the best week of my life!
But more importantly I met people who I hope to remain close to for the rest of my life.

Spending 3 nights in the salt flats at Uyuni, Bolivia. Definitely the most beautiful place I've been on Earth. Also met a couple of very interesting people on the tour.

I spent 6 weeks in Ostrava (Czech Republic) participating in an AIESEC cultural exchange program 'teaching' at primary and high school levels. I have picked up a very little bit of Czech in this time and have made many friends around the world. I visited many during my travels and will continue to do so in future adventures!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can help with your maths homework! Stories, languages.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Malta, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Czech Republic, Italy, South Korea, Turkey

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