CURRENT MISSION

Enjoy life (-so far I'm doing pretty well.)

ABOUT ME

From Auckland, New Zealand originally I've lived in Japan for over 18 years. I've lived in Kyoto most of the time however I've spent 3 months or more in each of the following: Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagano, Sapporo and Tokushima. Being a long-term resident I've also traveled to a lot of other places within Japan.

No Tamaki Makaurau ahau engari kua noho ki Hapanihi mo takau ma rua (?) tau.

I like travel for the culture, to see the sights, meet the people, eat the food. For more info look at my blog:
http://www.tamakikat.blogspot.com/

Ka pai ki a au te haerenga mo te wahi, te hui ki nga tangata, me te kai. Mehemea ka hiahia koe ki te mohio maha me titiro atu ki taku wharangi i runga i te web:
http://www.tamakikat.blogspot.com/

PHILOSOPHY

All I need is good friends, food and music.

Ka tino nui ki a au oku hoa, te kai, te puoro.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I meet some people, volunteer as a tour guide for organised group tours open to all, and I spread the word with other travelers.

For general tourist information about Kyoto (-ie. places to stay, festivals, ideas of where to go) look at the Kyoto Tourist Information Site online:

http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/

For information on hostels and guesthouses go to:
http://www.hostelworld.com

Ka tutaki au ki nga tangata me ka korero ati ma te CS ki oku hoa.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've surfed in Korea, NZ, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and around Japan. I've had a good time meeting people in all places. I have also hosted a few people and organized a few events here in Kyoto which has been a great experience.

I noho au i te whare of toku hoa CS ki Korea, Aotearoa me Hapone nei. I tino pai tera. Ka pai ki a au te hui ki nga tangata CS no Hapanihi me nga wahi rereke.

Interests

Cycling, hiking, eating, reading, culture, languages, music, soccer, train travel, design and the ukulele.

Ka pai ki ahau te haerenga i runga i te paihikara me te terena. Ka pai nga wahi me nga tangata no tawahi me Aotearoa hoki-engari tonu!

I have never owned a car but have owned at least 10 bicycles. I use my bicycle to go to most places in Kyoto otherwise I walk. Sometimes I catch the subway. I don't often use buses.

I was brought up camping and 'tramping' (=NZ English for hiking). My family would usually go hiking in the summer holidays for 5 days or so when I was in school. Nowadays I do day-hikes around Kyoto and enjoy walking around other places.

I eat out several times a week, usually lunch as there's good food about and it's cheaper. An ideal time with friends involves food, drink, and music.

I really like reading. The Y.W.C.A. (for the book exchange), 'Book Off!' near Sanjyo Bridge (for Japanese secondhand books) and 'Junkudo' in BAL (below Sanjo on Kawaramachi for all kinds of books in both Japanese and English) are some of my favorite places to go. If you have books you'd like to exchange let me know.

I have studied several languages and have enjoyed learning the cultures of different people at the same time.

I like most music. For BGM at home I play BBCiplayer a lot at the moment. I like Channel 2-pop and easy listening.

I like watching my local soccer team live when they play here in Kyoto and try to get to a game when I travel in Europe or NZ.

I prefer traveling by train to planes as you get to talk to people, see the scenery, and have the option to get off where you please. I have traveled extensively by train in Japan and NZ. I have also traveled between London and Paris several times on the Eurostar and once onto Florence. When I was in SE Asia I used trains to travel between Singapore and Bangkok, Hanoi and Sapa. I look forward to doing more trips around the world.

I like beauty in nature but I also like beauty in man-made creations. Examples:
*cars-I especially like classics but some of the modern cars are up there too
*architecture-Hundertwasser and Frank Lloyd Wright have designed houses I'd live in
*graphic design
*art

I am learning how to play the ukulele. I would love to be able to just sit down and play anything I feel like but am still in the beginner stage. However, given time I will reach my goal.

• arts
• culture
• humanities
• books
• architecture
• design
• graphic design
• beauty
• festivals
• dining
• cheese
• walking
• drinking
• shopping
• reading
• traveling
• eating out
• cars
• socializing
• blogging
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• soccer
• languages
• tourism
• volunteering
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

I really like European, Japanese, New Zealand and British flics.

I like all sorts of music from all sorts of places.

I like novels and some manga. I also enjoy reading travel guides for tips on places I plan to travel to as well as magazines on local restaurants.

If you want to drop off some books to a book exchange let me know.

Ka pai ki a au nga film na tawahi me era ki nga mutunga pai. Ka pai te puoro katoa. Ka pai nga pukapuka hoki me nga pukapuka pikitia.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

This is a tough one.
I ate some hard-as-a-brick camel cheese from Mongolia brought back by fellow CSer JB. It was very go-od. Glad CS Peter from Portsmouth thought to microwave it to make it easier to cut:)

Teach, Learn, Share

KYOTO INFORMATION

Ancient capital of Japan, university (-many) town, temples and shrines galore, 30 minute-1 day hiking trails among trees (-a little bit steep in parts on most trails), Japanese Gardens, Imperial Palace buildings and gardens free to those who book in advance (-popularity depends on season), jogging/walking paths along the Kamo river etc etc

Kyoto Tourist Information Center
Location: JR Kyoto Station Building (2nd Floor)
Hours: 8:30-19:00 every day
Telephone: 075-343-665

Tourist Information Site Online:
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/

Best to bring: comfortable walking shoes

Best to travel around Kyoto with: a stash of pocket tissues (as not all restrooms have toilet paper), some bottled water, and a camera

Getting around:
*walk (if you want to explore a little of the city each day and are staying somewhere central).
*rent a bicycle-there are many places including guesthouses with them-use google or ask at the Tourist Information Center to find them.
I recommend Emusica (Tel: 050-5883-0919). They rent shopping bicycles from 2 locations in Kyoto-Shijo and Demachiyanagi. The prices are the cheapest in town-1 day ¥500, 1 Week ¥2000.
*bus (-there's a 1 day city bus pass for 500 yen as well other passes for more days)
*bus and subway (-there's a day pass around 1000 yen as well other passes for more days)
*taxi (there are special rates for tours)
*tour bus (there are 1 day tours as well as others)

ATMs: some people have trouble getting money out using their bank cards from home. I've found post offices are a good place to try. There is one just west of/next to Kyoto Station (Karasuma exit).

Interested in taking Cycling Walking Eating Talking tour in Kyoto? Check out my work HP:
http://cyclingwalkingeatingtalking.blogspot.jp/

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom

•