KAI means OCEAN. A writer, a filmmaker, a singer, a traveler.

** Update**
So sorry I can't host anybody at the moment, I'm on a trip to the Silk Road by land from my country to central Asia (starts from April 2018 to August 2018) but if you need some informations or recommendations, I will try my best to help. Please feel free to send me a message. I can help you with border crossing issues too.

Hello guys! I'm Kai, nice to meet you! I live in the southernmost part city of peninsula Malaysia, Johor Bahru. It's also a border city next to Singapore. I'm a fresh graduate, also a Bass and Baritone singer who had been living in Taipei City for 5 years and just finished my filmmaking major there. Besides living in JB and Taipei, I once took part a student exchange program, studying photography at Bournemouth,United Kingdom and had been living in England for 6 months.

I'm a frequent traveller and I enjoy meeting strangers. I believe that everyone is ORIGINAL and SPECIAL, exists with some kind of reasons. Also, I kind of enjoy "conflict", not keen to live in an echo chamber. It would be nice to meet people with almost same interests and backgrounds, but I prefer meeting wonderful people from different communities, occupation, regions and faiths too.

There are MILLION WAYS TO LIVE but we have only ONE LIFE TIME. Hence, I could only get those experiences I could never ever get in this life time from these wonderful people. Hence, I appreciate a deep conversation with anyone and know more about their stories. Also most of the people in this communities are very considerate, helpful and hospitable hence I really would like to be a part of it. I believe that somebody is fated to meet up, and I hope you could be the one.

I enjoy crossing different land borders in different parts of the world maybe because I live in a border city. Most of the borders I've been through doesn't seem happening or exciting. However, there are so many dilemmas between two border cities, either issues on identities, cultures etc. I hope you indulge yourself with the complexity of my border city though it's not that "fun".

Philosophy
I enjoy surprises. Life is full of surprises. Don't expect too much and enjoy it. Also, never judge a book by it's cover.

If you're interested to host or surf and would like to know more about me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sikaipang/
Website: http://sikaipang93.wixsite.com/kai93

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I thought it would be nice if I can meet locals or expats who lived in certain area for certain time and view a city with different perspectives.

Interests

Travelling
I prefer a longer trip than a shorter one. I'm keen with land border crossing and travel with land transportation rather than taking a flight. Also, I like to get off the beaten track and get around the off tourist path. I enjoy connecting with people rather than sightseeing,

Film & Photography
I enjoy watching different genres of films from different countries, especially uncommon, unpopular or underrated art films. Exploring hidden movie gems is one of the biggest interests in my life. I believe that "Film Is Not Dead" and I am always an analogue/film photography and pinhole photography lovers!

Music
I was a choir member and student conductor during my six years junior and high school's life. Also I am lucky enough to join some wonderful a cappella vocal band (Pop-phone singers & B-max Acappella) when I was in Taiwan. We managed to been through lots of international competitions and took part on various arts festivals performances.

History & International Relations
As an art major student, I'm interested with history and culture of different countries. Hence, backpacking is a practical way for me to learn out of the books. Meeting people from different backgrounds, communities, occupations or hanging around museums and galleries really inspired my writing.

Literature
I enjoy short stories, poetries, mythologies and fables from different regions. Imagination is one of the best thing human ever had.

People-watch
I like to observe any little thing. I could simply sit on a park and people watch for several hours. I enjoy observing people's behaviour.

Badminton & Cycling
Probably the only two sports I engage with and I damn enjoy it.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• poetry
• singing
• photography
• documentaries
• film making
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• music
• a cappella
• cycling
• backpacking
• badminton
• history
• international relations
• film photography
• deep conversations
• nomad
• philosphy
• choral singing
• analogue photography
• peoplewatching

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite Music:
Country, World, Folk, Classic, Pop, Vocal

Favourite Director:
Kristof Kieslowski, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Tsai Ming Liang, Ann Hui

Favourite Author:
Franz Kafka, Kristof Agota, Albert Camus, Wislawa Szymborska

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- A Trip to Silk Road
After months exploring 20+ European and South East Asian countries, I'm on my way to the Silk Road!
My routes: Malaysia - Thailand - China - Mongolia - China - Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan - Iran - Turkey - Bulgaria - Athens. It would be nice if meeting you could be part of my journey.

- Becoming an A cappella singer
One of the most amazing things in my life is joining a vocal band for four years. We went for international competitions and arts festivals performance, managed to get wonderful results. Also, later on we became a wedding singer band. I managed to earn and cover my living expenses during my university from this interests.

- Filming Documentary on Immigrant Labour Issues
I was aware with globalisation and immigration among the world when I was studying in Taiwan as a foreigner. Hence, me and my friend started to shoot a documentary of a group of Indonesian immigrant labours in Taiwan, discussing how they built up their community in a foreign country and what they did during their off time. Most of our protagonists in the film were playing music and band during their off time and they expressed their feelings towards this foreign country and their hometown through music which really touched us. This made me rethink the concept of immigration and identity in contemporary world and paid more attention with labours issues in different countries.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach
Chinese(Mandarin) language
Malay language
a cappella or vocal technic
film editing, photography

Learn
Due to my silk road journey, I am learning simple Farsi, Russian and Turkish conversation to make sure I can interact with locals but I always have big interest to learn another language. I'm a curious baby and always have interests with anything I have no clue about. .

What I Can Share with Hosts

Share
I appreciate a deep conversation if you're willing to share. I can help with your chores, run errands, cleaning your house for you too. Sometimes I found that doing housework or daily chores with locals can be fun rather than hanging out. Also we could share our travel experience, cultural exchange, music, news, history, arts blablabla. If you don't mind I'm being too talkative, I can also be very shy and quiet too. It would be fine if you're busy during my stay and can't bring me hang around. I just hope that we are able to have some nice conversation maybe during a meal time or whatsoever.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Malaysia, Taiwan, United Kingdom