Kia ora!
We are Renee (28) and Carl (29).
In March 2020 we returned to NZ in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to that we had been travelling for 1.5 years. We backpacked through Australia, India, Philippines, Egypt, Ghana, England and Scotland. We than brought a van in the West Coast of the USA, drove it across the country, through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, then back to Mexico to store it when COVID hit.
We have learnt that slow travel is our kind of travel and what we really enjoy is food, culture, meeting people, and getting involved with the community. Fast travel, destination hopping, going somewhere to take a photo or tick it off the list really does not do it for us.

A little bit about us:

Renee
I am an Architectural Technician
I am trying my hardest to learn to surf, I absolutely love it but am struggling to master it (wrote this two years ago, still relevant).
I love snowboarding and am a little bit better at that than surfing but still not great, but I have fun!
I love hiking and anything to do with nature, especially water.
I am personality type INFJ-T "The Advocate" on 16 personalities https://www.16personalities.com/infj-personality
My family is everything to me especially my niece and nephews, I love children.
I am super interested in music, I wish I could play instruments, I try to play the djembe, ukelele, and guitar but am still a total beginner.
I am the biggest foodie that I know of. Cooking is my relaxation. My favourite foods are Indian, Thai and Mexican.

Carl
I am a construction worker / farmer.
I am an absolute automotive nut, I have owned more than my fair share of cars / bikes and currently own a 1961 Commer camper van.
I love all board sports especially skateboarding and usually push myself far beyond my limits for an adrenaline kick.
I love to talk about the deeper things in life such as religion, politics, cultural dynamics, and love learning about peoples lives that are so different to what I know.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Connection with like minded people

Interests

• wine
• beer
• yoga
• cars
• podcasts
• music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• surfing
• snowboarding
• skateboarding
• swimming
• nature
• diving
• motorbikes
• vehicles
• auto
• non-fiction books
• automotive

Music, Movies, and Books

Renee
Documentaries, I have to be in the right mood to watch a "movie" which is not often, I prefer documentaries, vlogs, etc.
Non-fiction books especially biographies
Podcasts
Music - everything except heavy metal and the Top 40
Carl
Movies - I like movies with a twist and that make you think outside the square. Also a good comedy.
Books - I love factual informative books
Music - I have a very diverse range of music, pretty much listen to anything apart from pop.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Renee & Carl
Quit my job to travel the world
Surfed and snowboarded in the same day
Went on a 5 day hike as only the second hike I have ever done (Abel Tasman, New Zealand)
Renee
Learnt to ride a motorcross bike
Went to Africa with my Mum
Volunteered in a prison helping children who were visiting their dads and spent a day there dressed as a banana in pyjamas for a special family day.
Carl
A full engine conversion on my 1961 Commer campervan in one day with no help other than Renee.
Made it to the newspaper for a couple of skateboarding competitions

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belize, China, Egypt, England, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Philippines, Scotland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, New Zealand