CURRENT MISSION

To be self appointed ambassador to Indonesia as a tourist destination!

ABOUT ME

I have lived in 3 countries, 5 cities so far. After 6 years of toiling in the corporate world, recently has decided to take some time off to travel.I like the sea—-the blue ocean on a warm sunny day. The kind that would be perfect with some companies to hang out there. I like running (too much).I seldom remember what I dreamt about. That’s why when I do, I feel funny.I learn most from other people--constantly. Firmly believes, human are social creatures afterall. I fear not living enough. And a night under the stars might just be a tad better than blue ocean on a warm sunny day!

PHILOSOPHY

Life is short, as short as that last thought that crossed your mind.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Meeting local CS via events in the area or just hanging out , discussing and exchanging experiences.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Nov 2011: Spent an amazing 25 days trip around Taiwan, which would not have been possible without CS!
Feb 2012: Road trip with fellow CSers for weekend in Melacca, Malaysia. A blast.

March 2012: Road tripping around Medan, North Sumatra.

April 2012: Beach bumming in Aceh, North Sumatra.

May 2012: Rooting in Ubud, Bali.

June 2012: Soaking Java and all its glory.

Aug 2012: Riding and crossing Sulawesi

Sep 2012: In the thick of the valley that is Papua

Nov & Dec 2012: Motorbike trip, riding from Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores and Lembata.

Interests

I am intrigued by local customs, cultures, traditions that are passed down for generations, ancient history, ruin sites, lighthouses, hand crafted goods by specialists, flea market, second hand bookstores, food recipes of local produce, whole food, varieties in fruits, human capacity for endurance, trails in the woods.

• culture
• folklore
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• marathon
• running
• boating
• traveling
• hiking
• history
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

I like books. Exciting stories that span across generations melting time on its way and one where reality is distorted to become something universal.Books: Sputnik Sweetheart (H. Murakami), This earth of mankind (Pramoedya A. Toer), Dharma Bum (J.Kerouac), God of small things (Arundhati Roy), Love in time of cholera (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)I can’t do without music. Nowadays Chet Baker and alike calm me down. I make it a point to experience local music when I am travelling.Music: Ella Fitzgerald, PULP, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, Jason Mraz, Rachael Yamagata, Miles Davis, Kanye West, Radiohead, Chet Baker, Ben Harper, Great movies are those that I’d watch again for second time and more. And like all good things, it gets better every time.Movies: Chucking Express/In the mood for love (Wang Kar Wai), Talk to her (P.Almodovar), Great Expectation (A.Cuaron), all Kubrick movies and Woody Allen!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In Taiwan:Stranded in a local temple after a festival in Taiwan, spending the night in a bench with the 'gods'.After a tedious 6 hours hiking, with the last 2 hours in pitch dark wooden area, came onto an open field blanketed with open sky of thousand stars.

In Indonesia: (Medan) Motorbike ride from around Toba and from Berastagi into Medan, thrilling.

(Aceh) Experienced one of the biggest earthquakes of the area after the devastating tsunami of 2004, saw water retreating into the sea before my eyes, mother nature's not a joking matter.

(Bali) Marathon race into villages and have them cheered you on.

(Papua) Witness a gang fight on top of the boat I was in and 3 hours later, a guy accidentally (or was it?) fell overboard of the ship and was never recovered.

(Nusa Tenggara): Riding on a scooter over 800km (over land and seas) and looking for a buyer for the scooter at the end of the trip!

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: How to take up running, cooking, Indonesian, English! I am recently on plant based food so able to share some of what I learn to those interested as well. Basic Mandarin too!

Learn: Culture, tradition and everything about you!

Share: Travel adventures, food!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Indonesia, Singapore, United States

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