I've always been fascinated by faraway places and people. When I was young I used to read atlases and maps and imagine what those places might be like. I've been fortunate enough to travel quite a lot over the years and I always know that it is the encounters with the local people that can make a good trip great, and a great trip unforgettable. So I'd like to be able to offer that local perspective for travellers in Sydney, Australia.

My home is in the suburb of Erskineville, only 10 minute train ride south of Sydney city centre. 15 minutes walk will take you to lots of cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs and shops of Erskineville and Newtown and there is a huge park called Sydney Park just 5 minutes walk away where you can enjoy open space and great views of the Sydney skyline.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love the spirit of independent travel that Couchsurfing represents. Nothing wrong with a guided tour, but this to me is the essence of travel - figure out your own way, make friends with locals, give yourself to chance encounters.

Interests

• culture
• architecture
• photography
• music
• history
• art
• food

Music, Movies, and Books

Too many to think of. A random selection.....
All kinds of music - classical, jazz, pop, country, hip-hop, techno, electronica. All kinds of movies - '80s classics (I'm a child of the '80s) like Back to the Future, ET. All the original Star Wars trilogy, any good sci-fi. Withnail and I. Foreign films - anything by Jean Pierre Jeunet or Guillermo del Toro. Books - lots of non-fiction. Travel writing. William Dalrymple. Wind in the Willows was a favourite childhood book :-)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Managed to stay unrelentingly optimistic about the future of the planet no matter what shit goes down or happens around the world.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A safe space to rest and hang out.
Tips and advice on what to see or do in Sydney.
A great curiosity to learn about my guests, their home and their travels.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, United Kingdom