CURRENT MISSION
As my work at the moment is online, I was able to move to Valencia. I will spend a few months taking in the sun and culture whilst I investigate a few other opportunities. Also an opportunity to learn Spanish, meet some new friends and travel.

What attracts me to couch surfing is the chance to meet interesting local people or at least interesting people that know more about the area than I do. I am always keen to invite them out for a meal or attend some fun event together.

I was born in England though I grew up in South Africa before spending 17 years living in China. 我会说普通话. I am a seasoned expat, have travelled all over particularly Africa and Asia, and enjoy participating in whatever activities are arranged but also I enjoy arranging activities myself to make sure life does not become dull. I am lucky to have already joined a badminton club in Valencia.

PHILOSOPHY
Life is short. Get out and do it and do your best to avoid the rut. If its raining outside, buy the biggest brightest umbrella you can find.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
I actually was dragged down to an activity by a friend who wanted me to market the Hash House Harrier group I had established in Xiamen. Since then I've hosted many people though surfed rarely myself. I also regularly attend activities with the Xiamen Couch Surfers as they are a nice crowd of people.

Interests

I reached a stage in my life when I realised that ambition and being busy was spoiling my life. I bought a twin cab van and an offroad motorbike and started traveling around Southern Africa with friends who believed likewise.

I started studying Chinese and ended up in China and have enjoyed traveling around Asia. I've qualified at scuba diving, sailing, sky diving, paragliding and much more. I have so many interests there is no point in trying to list them all.

I started the Hash House Harriers in Xiamen, The 'drinking club with a running problem. I have a Wechat group Xiamen Amoy Events to help people not that good at Chinese, and Chinese people to find activities to do together. Started the Noodle Palace Badminton group to encourage my friends to play. I also have a Wechat Group, PAWS which attempts the break the barriers between expatriates and local people interested in helping stray animals and looking after their pets.

• traveling
• scuba diving
• sailing
• paragliding

Music, Movies, and Books

I am ashamed to say my favourite movie genre is cowboy. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid starring Chris Kristofferson, Lee Marvin and Bob Dylan. Music from Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan to Kasabian, Gorillaz, Greenday, but being an expat, you listen to whatever everybody else is listening to and enjoy it.
Mostly nonfiction reading as I believe real people doing real things have a better story to tell. Lately I've had to reintroduce some exciting, fast suspense books. Gives the brain a break.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm most happy in my van with my motorbike and few good friends loaded, traveling anywhere. My first long trip we crossed the Caprivi when it was still war and gangster land, in a normal saloon car. In Mozambique too I can tell of at least 2 incidents where guys with AK47's on their shoulders appeared from nowhere to help me out of a fix. Thankfully I've had many more fun less dramatic travels.

I must admit the world is great, so I don't need to go out looking for the most unique or most dangerous to be able to enjoy myself. Usually anywhere is great with a great traveling partner and a good attitude.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I like Couchsurfing because it gives me an opportunity to meet people. I can subsequently invite them out for a meal and learn from them, share some of my travel stories, views on life and hopefully have a nice adventure in my new destination.

I am a little serious by choice but that does not mean that I do not let down my hair and have fun. I particularly like groups, which is why I play badminton, football, comedy club. I invented and developed a board game called 'Last Man Standing' and lately have been playing 'Catan' regularly.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Botswana, Cambodia, China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, South Africa, United Kingdom

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