Hello! I'm from the UK and have recently moved to Australia, having just completed the seemingly mandatory travelling-around-South-East-Asia experience. I tried to make it a bit different and more challenging by cycling around the region (4,500 km to be precise) but turns out plenty of others do that, and I even met 3 or 4 people who'd cycled all the way from France! Crazy people.

I spent Oct and Nov 2015 in Nepal - 1 month volunteering with an organisation called All Hands, who do disaster response and relief, and 3 weeks trekking to Everest Base Camp via the infamous 3 passes route. I love Nepal and had a fantastic 2 months there.

Before that, I was living in NYC for about 9 months, having the best time of my life working as a solar system designer and living in Harlem. Why did I leave, I hear you ask? I've always wanted to travel the world, and sadly the US government isn't overly helpful in giving long term visas to anyone.

Generally a huge fan of cycling and hiking so always looking for recommendations on new places to explore via both those methods.

That's me in a nutshell for now - hope to meet you and chat about your interests!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

A couple of friends have recommended that I jump on here, as it's a cool way to develop more personal friendships and relationships than perhaps one does in a crowded hostel. Don't get me wrong, I like hostels too, but sometimes they're a bit much for me and I just prefer to chat 1 on 1 or in a small group and have more meaningful conversations.

So yep, hoping to get that!

Also I'd be lying if I didn't mention that the low (zero) cost is a huge help too!

Interests

Hmmm... Hiking/trekking and cycling have to be top of the list. I find both to be the best ways to explore nature and/or cities and I try to find an excuse to shoehorn one or both of these into whatever I'm doing. Trekking the Himalayas recently was an experience almost too good for words, but I'd love to chat about it if you're interested in hearing! If you're a hiker/trekker also, I'd be delighted to hear where you've been so that I can explore there in the future.

In addition to those 2, I recently took up chess (about a year ago) and am always keen for a game. I randomly took up swing dance in NYC and liked that too, though it's a tad tricky to practice anywhere when travelling.

Hmmm what else - ah yes, I'm pretty passionate about tackling climate change, renewable energy, sustainable living practices and generally being thoughtful and considered in one's actions.

• design
• dancing
• chess
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Jazz, though I'm pretty shit at naming artists - I just put on random playlists on Spotify and like most of them!

Books - fantasy and (recently) sci fi are my favourite genres. My favourite book, or series I should say, is The Wheel of Time - if you're a fan of this, we'll be able to talk for hours. Also a fan of A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones), The Stormlight Archive and Malazan Book of The Fallen. Have also dipped into SciFi but only Asimov's works - will explore more in the future.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Whoa, pressure.

I think the one that springs to mind is the cycle around South East Asia. I did it on a pure whim, after travelling in Thailand for a month via bus/train etc and not getting much out of it. So SO glad I did it, as I revisit the memories almost daily.

Teach, Learn, Share

Did you know that the UK is the only country in the world to have a legally binding national carbon emission reduction target for 2050 and 5-yearly steps to get there? Yeh, no one does, and no one cares. Probably why a wide circle appears around me at parties.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I guess my stories and experiences so far - I'd be keen to hear yours too!

That and a bike ride and a game of chess if you're up for it.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Nepal, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United Kingdom, United States