ABOUT ME

Normally called Finn as it's easier to spell, I think of myself as a fairly laid back spirit with a love of tree climbing, puzzles and free food.

For the last ten years I've been swinging between a life of academia (just finished a masters in molecular biology) and adventure (travelling, ski seasons, trekking) in various places around the world. I love this variable rhythm as it keeps me excited and motivated for each chapter. Now back on home ground in New Zealand it's a chance to ground myself and work out what comes next while getting to further explore this beautiful country working as a hiking tour guide.
I'll be mostly on the road this summer and always keen to meet locals or travellers along the way to share the good vibes.

PHILOSOPHY
Love the life you live!
And if you don't, then do something to change it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

All started in June 2014 when a friend and I spent a spontaneous month hitch-hiking around Europe and and were stoked to discover the amazing concept of couchsurfing existed! Adds such depth to your experience of a new place when meeting locals who can show you around their home instead of the usual tourist crowd in hostels.
Haven't hosted as much as I'd like as am often on the move and/or in pretty crowded living situations (14+ skibums sharing a house meant even couch space was thin on the ground!). The couple of times I have were great experiences.
The couchsuring community is always one of the first places I turn when I am in a new place, whether that be as a traveller or having moved somewhere to live. It has never let me down as a way to connect with kind, like-minded people who often become lifelong friends.

Interests

Other things I like are cats, hammocks, puns, snowboarding, bare feet, cups of tea, camping, mountains, road trips, football, rope swings, summer, brunch, rock climbing, beaches, drinking games, longboarding, the excitement of adventure and the unknown!

• cooking
• hiking
• snowboarding
• rock climbing
• road trips
• travelling

Music, Movies, and Books

First generation Harry Potter fan.
Love an eclectic mix of hip-hop, reggae, rap, folk, electro and house music, anything that will get my head nodding and my mood lifted.
iTunes tells me my most played song is The Head and The Heart 'Lost In My Mind'

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

*Seen: triple rainbows, truly amazing sunsets/sunrises, stunningly beautiful national parks (Abel Tasman on my doorstep in New Zealand and Plitvice waterfalls in Croatia), snow-covered mountain range views from a hard-climbed peak.
Being part of a ridiculously huge crowd of Tomorrowland fans fistpumping as Hardwell mixed Coldplay and the rain poured down around us.
Hitchiking mission through Eastern Europe, of which my favourite lift would have to be on the back of a Vespa, whizzing along the Croatian coast, with the wind in my hair and my soul flying (also a great hangover cure).

What I Can Share with Hosts

After spending 5 years working part time in cafes and restaurants, can cook you up a meal no worries and do the dishes too!
Love to share travel stories and experiences as well as connecting people around the world who I think might enjoy each other's company.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Cook Islands, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom