Hey there! I'm Marvin, a 31-year-old engineer based in Amsterdam. Born in the Netherlands, but my roots are from Hongkong. I'm all about exploring the outdoors and connecting with new people.

My true passion is bouldering! I've been scaling walls for six years now, and along the way, I’ve built an amazing community of friends. There’s nothing quite like sharing stories and learning about others' backgrounds and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I always meet new people in the bouldering gym :)

When I'm not climbing, you'll likely find me at the piano. I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to anime and video game music, and I’m currently practising some songs by Fujii Kaze and Utada Hikaru. In the past I was play the keys in a band for five years.

I'm very positive and optimistic about life. People often describe me as a social butterfly, and I totally embrace that. Whether it’s through music, bouldering, or just good conversation, I’m all about making connections and having a great time.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’ve had a blast staying in a few Airbnbs where I got to share the space with the host. It’s always been such a great way to connect and nothing beats getting to know someone over shared interests and hobbies. Plus, I love bringing a taste of the Netherlands with me in the form of snacks as a little gift.

I always ask the host for recommendations (restaurants, sights, unique spots), and I love hearing the stories they share about why those places are so special to them.

Now, I’m excited to try couchsurfing and hopefully create some awesome memories along the way. I’m all about meeting new people, sharing stories, and of course, I’m always up for a drink :)

Interests

• anime
• socializing
• bouldering
• piano
• travel
• food
• manga
• videogames
• kpop
• games
• asia
• asian food
• piano music
• soju
• k-pop
• nintendo
• jpop
• pianos
• sake
• culturalexchange

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: NewJeans, Alisa Takigawa, ZICO, Fujii Kaze, ILLIT, Sade, Utada Hikaru, Lee Jin Ah, Danny Chan, YOASOBI, eill, TWICE, Dua Lipa, Ikimonogakari, LiSA, Eve, Aimer, Sabrina Carpenter, Kenshi Yonezu, YUI, Jordan Ward, BoA, Froukje, Tori Kelly, Allen Stone, Selah Sue, Frank Ocean, Bruno Mars, Linkin Park, John Mayer

Movies: everything from Hans Zimmer, Ghibli movies, horror and thriller, most of the Marvel movies, Stephen Chow

Books: mostly about finance and societal issues (inequality, sustainability, privacy and the impact of technology on society)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I just came back from month-long solo trip to Kyushu in October (2024). I’m someone who loves to plan, but I also want to step out of my comfort zone by planning a trip with just a few things I really want to see and eat, and letting the rest unfold naturally. To be honest, it’s quite scary, but that’s how you experience things you’ve never done before. I learned a lot about myself throughout this journey!

Teach, Learn, Share

Piano

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking: I can whip up some delicious Dutch pancakes, but I mostly cook dishes with rice, meat, and vegetables, Hong Kong style.

I can assist with housekeeping and home management.

I’d love to chat, share our life and travel experiences, and learn about each other’s cultures.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands