CURRENT MISSION

Stay fit and healthy.

ABOUT ME

Well travelled multilingual Australian looking to meet up with travellers.

PHILOSOPHY

"Just be kind" (Derek)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Have met several people on Couchsurfing as a host, although I have rarely been a guest. Either I have hosted, or they met me to show me around and help me get oriented and formed lifelong friendships.

Interests

Languages (currently studying Russian), music (listening, discovering, playing guitar and piano, recording), cooking, coffee, running, cycling, home automation technology, conversation with interesting people

• dining
• coffee
• running
• drinking
• cycling
• hiking
• swimming
• freediving

Music, Movies, and Books

Such a big question. I love new discoveries. Rather than me talk about my ecclectic taste, tell me about your favourites.

I do, however, try to focus on music, reading, and media in the language I'm learning at the time. As at 2024, I've spent the last few years delightedly discovering the vast catalogue of indie, new wave, dark wave, post punk, and Sovietwave by artists performing in Ukrainian and Russian.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Only one?

In early 2000 I went to Tokyo for a 2 week holiday, and returned a few months later for a 6 month working holiday that lasted 11 years.

A month visiting friends in Colombia in 2003. Andes villages, Caribbean beaches, beautiful nature and architecture, and the friendliest people in the world.

Freediving to 30 metres in the Red Sea in 2010.

Exploring the beautiful city of St Petersburg in 2016, and seeing Sigur Ros play there at a music festival.

Teach, Learn, Share

Live to not have regrets for not doing things when you were younger and had the opportunity.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Pleasant respectful company, sharing stories, and cooking and sharing meals.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Japan, Laos, Nepal, Portugal, Russian Federation, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Hong Kong, Japan

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