CURRENT MISSION

To walk the Camino.

ABOUT ME

I'm a sunshine girl, easily endeared to people and places, happiest when in flip flops. I'm physically and socially active, my idea of a good time is a day at the beach with friends and an icebox. I like bubbles in my drink, flowers in my hair and new reads on my shelf. I love the energy of live music and sporting events, and how they bring people together. Other people's airport reunions move me, the size of my TV and label on my dress don't concern me. I err on the side of chaos and adventure, hence my move from small town Japan to vibrant Hong Kong in 2006. I moved to Nuku'alofa in February 2014 on an Australian Aid sponsored role in education. The Surf Coast of Australia is home.

PHILOSOPHY

Self-consciousness is the enemy of interesting.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am happy to acquaint you with my fave Tongan haunts over a coffee/drink/snokelling/live music session. I'm always up for a wander through markets or a boat trip to beautiful Pangai Motu. Feel free to contact me for advice on travelling in Asia and the South Pacific or on the teaching situations in Hong Kong or Japan.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I hosted and socialised with Couch Surfers for several years in Hong Kong. I've met new people in foreign places and am looking forward to connecting with more travellers in Tonga

Interests

Laughing, beaching, golfing, photography, reading, wordplay, hiking to the top of things, swimming to the bottom of things, maintaining fitness, vegetarianism, daydreaming, getting on planes, visiting wineries, researching travel destinations, foot massages, markets, museums, fashion, AFL, bread, coffee, alfresco dining, live music, live sport, art-jamming, frozen yoghurt, the powers of aloe vera, making sense of the world, self improvement, my friends and family (not in that order).

• arts
• fashion
• photography
• education
• dining
• coffee
• fitness
• drinking
• boating
• flowers
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• music
• live music
• hiking
• sports
• swimming
• teaching
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Lost in Translation, Memento, the Castle, Sharkwater, The Cove, The Help, Gran Torino, the Grammar of Happiness. Any movie by Clint Eastwood or Christopher Nolan.

Music: Live music of almost any genre.
Favourites: Coldplay, Xavier Rudd, Jose Gonzales, Powderfinger, Bob Dylan, Flight of the Conchords!
Listening to: Air Review, Passion Pit, the Basics, Husky, Feist, Benjamin Frances Leftwich, Bon Iver, Yeasayer, Of Monsters and Men, Bastille, Mr Ms, Bat for Lashes.

Books: Memoirs of a Geisha, Facing Up, Eat Pray Love, Gweilo, The Kite Runner, Factory Girls, Eating Animals.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I bought a coke from a vending machine at the summit of Mount Fuji in July 2005.

Teach, Learn, Share

The One Shot Project - A Cultural Perspective (Japan): http://www.facebook.com/moniqueabroad?ref=profile#/album.php?aid=381675&id=568140600&ref=mf

70 million sharks are killed every year in the finning industry. I was one of 150 HKers who said "no" to shark fin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYMnnh6GnDk

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Latvia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Tonga

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