CURRENT MISSION

to check all the boxes (196 countries on a shoestring)

to promote ASEAN countries among world travelers using hashtags #backpackingASEAN #travelASEAN #KuasaASEAN (kuasa means power in Malay language). Please Google list of countries in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) :8)

Also, to have my own backpackers hostel! :*) or at least my own place to host CS travelers hehe

ABOUT ME

I quit college long time ago. The best part is I don't have study loan, car loan or property loan, bank loan to chain me inside my country (& I would like to maintain this loan-free lifestyle). I found peace in traveling and I strongly believe that we are the children of all races or "anak semua bangsa" in Malay. I come from Malaysia and my heart seems dwelling in Indonesia & Philippines. Trying my best to encourage ASEAN people to discover and explore S.East Asia countries first before disregard it for Europe or America.

I have a small business in travel & leisure focusing on Korea & Japan. & I manage social media accounts for extra pocket money :D (I'm a digital nomad thank god for that). My husband will tag along if he's not working. So until then, I'm still backpacking solo!

Facebook personal acc: www.facebook.com/namy.rashid
Blog: www.facebook.com/196countriesonashoestring (Malay language only)

PHILOSOPHY

traveling is education!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

long before I register for a CS account, I've been cs-ing in Bali Indonesia, Istanbul Turkey, Westfjords Iceland, Cairo Egypt. Then, together with my husband we signed up for this account and cs-ing in Osaka & Tokyo Japan. I still find CS is a much better option to travel independently (without paying for tour guide) but still have an insider's scoop to know more about the country we visit. NOBODY KNOWS BETTER THAN A LOCAL ;)
Moreover, CS helps me to save a lot of $$$ than to spend it on lodging and with those $$$, I can travel longer (I only do long-term traveling, minimum 1 month) and spend it on a better and deserving purpose like fund for natural disaster relief, buy souvenirs from underprivileged local sellers and others.

Interests

looking for cheap fare. and expanding my business!

• education
• dining
• cooking
• flying
• traveling
• blogging
• backpacking
• business
• communications
• teaching
• tourism
• long-term travel

Music, Movies, and Books

Sigur Rós

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Iceland. I've done and seen ICELAND.

Teach, Learn, Share

We all know Palawan Island, Boracay Island (of Philippines)
Mabul Island, Sipadan Island (of Malaysia).

But please google Bohey Dulang Island in Sabah Malaysia and
Raja Ampat Islands & Komodo Island in Indonesia.

The best way to travel in ASEAN countries (flying) is with AirAsia. From fares as low as $10/one way and sometimes a lot cheaper when they have free seats promotion (you only need to pay for airport tax & fees but not your seat fare).
ASEAN travel pass by AirAsia will be introduced in mid-January 2015. For other destinations as for AirAsia X, you can already purchase the travel pass. This pass can be found available at www.optiontown.com
AirAsia is ranked as #1 LCC in the world (winning Skytrax World's Best Low Cost Airline for the sixth time 2009-2014), leaving behind EasyJet & RyanAir (famous in Europe).

What I Can Share with Hosts

a complimentary gift from our hometown, Kelantan Malaysia! :)
- traditional sarong for both male & female hosts
- cook our Malaysian food
- Malaysian postcards (we will pick the best one)
- best places and best kept secrets of Malaysia tourism :P

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Egypt, England, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Egypt, England, Iceland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey