My name's Frank. I'm from Melbourne, who moved to Cairns in 1993 to work at a gay resort, and fell in love with the Far North Queensland (FNQ) region's beautiful natural environment and balmy weather. These days, I'm a mature-age urban design student, commuting between Cairns and Melbourne.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Since Valentine's Day, 2008, I was an enthusiastic part of the couchsurfing hosting community, initially for companionship, but soon also to expand my mind.

I hosted several hundred guests, most of whom became my friends. Some guests stayed for a considerable time, allowing us to become close friends. See me in this video from one of my guests: https://youtu.be/h0E1bBYLDjg?si=b_HTMoC8ttyQTqpr

In 2011, after hosting so many Germans, I travelled overseas for the first time in 32 years to see many of these new friends.

Since October, 2015, my opinions about couchsurfing have changed: it has become a corporation; it is no longer community driven; trust, rather than expected, has to be "earned" through an increasingly multi-layered verification process; and website changes occur without consultation, notification, or explanation.

Interests

In my desire to connect with nature, I like bush walking, gardening, and naturism. Environmental, planning, and social issues capture my serious attention, sometimes prompting me to write to the media. I'm also interested in healthy/sustainable living, entertainment (e.g., movies and theatre), Melbourne radio/TV history, local/family history, architecture, culture, writing, and acting.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• architecture
• design
• acting
• education
• environment
• movies
• hiking
• history
• tourism
• massage
• naturism
• sustainability
• theatre
• urban planning

Music, Movies, and Books

I have some CDs I bought when co-hosting a gay community radio show in the late '90s, and some vinyl records from my youth, but prefer being entertained by travellers' live music/singing. I appreciate art-house movies and documentaries that provoke thought, and read gay novels and non-fiction material related to my areas of interest.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Visiting many of my amazing couchsurfing friends in Germany!

Teach, Learn, Share

Always keen to teach/learn/share more about living peacefully and sustainably, including through a naturist lifestyle in FNQ.

What I Can Share with Hosts

As the FNQ region is so beautiful, I don't normally travel far, and due to couchsurfing's changes I am less likely to seek new hosts through the website (although I'm still happy to consider receiving guests who send a personalised request).

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Germany, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Vanuatu

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia

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