CURRENT MISSION

Nomadic Explorer travels in search of new adventures in food, music, nature, culture and to understand a fascinating creature called humans.

ABOUT ME

There is a fine line between insanity and stupidity.
There is a fine line between insanity and genius.
There is a fine line between genius and stupidity.
I thread, traverse and trespass these lines in my journey of life.
Whether I fall into insanity, stupidity or genius,
I am not afraid,
I am not ashamed,
And I have no regrets.
This is life.
And this is having the courage to live.

People who meet me say I'm crazy. Even I say I'm crazy. I take it as a compliment. Normality is for the boring. If you want a fun, fearless travel companion, that's me you're looking for. I'm a joker so take care of your funny bone. Some people find me annoying at first, but after they get to know me, they find me a really nice person. (This was what a Japanese guy wrote for me and he told me to show this when I meet other Japanese).

I give help freely to anyone who needs it. I love food and I regard eating the local food as a necessary part of the travel experience. I eat too much. People are always shocked at how much I can eat and the only way they can accept it is to believe that I have worms or hollow legs. But they are envious that I never get fat. ;)

I am a perfectionist and if you find me taking many photos of the same thing, it is because I am trying to get the perfect shot. I love photography and it is my joy to capture images while I travel. Getting a great shot makes my day and everything worthwhile. I hope and aim to push my photography to higher levels and capture images beyond pretty postcards.

I don't like to travel in a rush and touch-and-go style. I like to slowly take in the place, explore little untouched gems, soak up the atmosphere and take time to find unique images among the ordinary. I also like to look for stories in places and sometimes I do photo essays.

If you are offering a couch, rest assured that I am a very clean person and will clean up after myself. I love animals and if you have any pets, I will instantly become great friends with them! :D

PHILOSOPHY

Life is too short to be afraid.
Try everything (except doing horrible things to others).
Do onto others what you would have them do unto you.
I believe in passing it on.
Never let people tell you what you can or cannot do.
Always think for yourself.
If you believe that you have to do something, go and do it even if there are obstacles to overcome.
Never fight with the cat, never shout at the horse, and never take the dog's bone away.
Do not think that you can conquer the mountain, the mountain merely lets you pass through. ;)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Food exchange, language exchange, couch exchange.
Teaching and learning from each other.
Having a good time together!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I started surfing couches in Germany in June 2010.
I have been surfing different couches in Germany and Spain for 3 months.
My hosts have exposed me to interesting places, experiences and food/drinks that I wouldn't have experienced if not for CS.

I have found that the best experiences are with hosts that share common interests.
If you like food and photography and are easy-going, then we have a 80% chance of having a good time! :)
If in addition to the above, you like concerts and share similar tastes in music, we have a 90% chance of having a rockin' good time!! :D
If in addition to the above, you like nature and animals and appreciate my humour, we have a 100% chance of having a great time!!! ;)

Interests

Travelling, Diving, Photography, Animals (and Wildlife Conservation), Nature, Mountains, Music, Food, Wine, Artsy Stuff, Gadgets, Audio Equipment (esp. Vacuum Tube Amplifiers), Percussion, Vintage Cars & Bicycles, Sea and Air Sports, Adventures and New Experiences!

• animals
• pets
• cats
• dogs
• wildlife
• culture
• photography
• concerts
• dining
• wine
• drinking
• traveling
• cars
• music
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sports
• hitchhiking
• language exchange
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
I LOVE Music - No Music, No Life!
Too much favourite... Jazz, Instrumental, Operatic, Classical, Rock, Alternative, Pop, World etc. ...whatever is good music.
I collect music from around the world as I travel.
I try to visit places with local bands at every place.
I have collected music from Lebanon, Egypt, Germany, China.

My favourite artistes: Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Raul Midon, Maksim.

Books:
The Book of Questions by Pablo Neruda, Cien Sonetos de amor by Pablo Neruda, Shantaram.

Movies:
Amelie, Jeux D'Enfants, Les Choristes, Run Lola Run, Life is Beautiful, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, The Matrix, Lord of the Ring, Lassie Comes Home, My Dog Skip...
Foreign films, art house films, philosophical films, animal films, wacky films.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived alone for a week at the peak of Mt Katherine (2629m) and the Bedouins were shocked!
I was baptised at Bethany-beyond-Jordan (the same place that Jesus was baptised) on my birthday.
I hitchhiked across 4 countries continuously for more than 24 hours in my first hitchhiking attempt!

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, I can share with you what I have learnt and discovered along life and travel.
I can share about Chinese language if you are interested to know.
I have always been interested and worked along animals so I can share that knowledge and experience with you too.

There is an infinite opportunity to learn from others and the world around us if only we could open our minds, hearts, eyes and ears!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Egypt, Singapore, United Kingdom