Hey there, this is Jieyu. I used to have people calling me in my last name (Chan), but more recently I have just started introducing myself more with my first name (Jieyu), though it might be difficult for people to pronounce it sometimes, it seems more natural to me answering to my first name.

I have never done a long and solid backpacking trip (those that are typically beyond 3 - 4 months) just like anyone you will meet on the road.

I started travelling by myself since 2015, taking advantage of several breaks between semesters and the little money that I had got from my part time jobs. Sometimes I leave for 2 weeks, sometimes I leave for a month, the longest was a month and half which I was travelling in China and Central Asia in summer 2018. I somehow like this kind of momentum, though sometimes I still long for a longer break so that I could afford to live in a totally different environment to enjoy a lifestyle that I would never be able to experience back home.

I live in Singapore now, and possibly for the next 3 years. A lot of people think Singapore is expensive, thus is evil, is a evil golden cage that traps your freedom. I used to not like Singapore that much, however now I consider it almost as home because of its diversity, order, cleanliness, and vibrancy (and many other things).

Some other places that I have lived for at least a month besides Singapore -

Johor, Malaysia (Where I spent the first 18 years of my life)

Auxerre, France (10/2016 - 02/2017, 4.5 months for exchange study)
Gopeng, Malaysia (03/2017 - 05/2017, 1.5 months for work exchange)
Koh Samui, Thailand (06/2017 - 08/2017, 1.5 months for work exchange)
Panglao, The Philippines (12/2019, 1 month for freediving training)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing allows me to form a deeper connection with people that I meet along my trip, this is something that staying in the hostel usually does not help that much. On top of that, staying with people also give me a glance of how people is living in a different way than mine, this always seems interesting to me. ( I wish I could live multiple lives to experience everything to the fullest)

Drop me a message if you happen to visit Singapore, I would be more than happy to show you one of my favourite cities if I'm free :)

Interests

At this point of my life, I do freediving (a super tough journey still and I'm not getting anywhere yet), sailing (still questioning my life decision whenever I get to the boat), and salsa (I love dancing and parties).

Occasionally I like to go to the beach or public park, talk to my friends, try a lot of different wines if there is a chance. I used to think that my favourite wine is Pinot Noir, but it might have changed since I have widen my palate for red wine. Too much white wine gives me nausea, but red wine does not ;)

I'm also trying to learn ukelele and gardening. Would appreciate a lot if you are able to give me some tips!

• salsa dancing
• wine
• reading
• hiking
• sailing
• travelling
• freediving
• ukelele

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Sapien, Tools of Titans, The Prisoner of Geography and more
Movies & Music: I don't really have an all-time-favourite...

Feel free to recommend!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Pamir Road Trip in Tajikistan
Spent New Year climbing Mt Ijen in Indonesia
Hiking in a snowy mountain in Romania
Trying to learn sailing and freediving

What I Can Share with Hosts

A good time and whatever I know and have learnt from my past

Countries I’ve Visited

China, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Norway, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Malaysia, Singapore