CURRENT MISSION

To actually make it into the nearby ocean this summer!

ABOUT ME

Mel: I'm an American now married to a kiwi. I grew up in Idaho and lived in Alaska and Hawaii. I've travelled both islands of NZ (pre-wedding), various parts of Australia, and accompanied mom on an amazing trip through East Africa. I commute to the city to work at Victoria University of Wellington as a lab tech setting up biology labs for undergraduate classes.

Dave: I'm a Kiwi boy, born and bred in Thames on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. While I haven't travelled much, I have seen the gorgeous South of Western Australia with Mel. I've also spent a little time in London and Manchester in the UK...... oh, and what Kiwi hasn't been to the Gold Coast in Aussie? I'm looking forward to my future travels world with my wife :)

PHILOSOPHY

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Pourquoi je suis sur Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Mel: We haven't been active lately due to busy lives and poor housing set up. In Thames, we hosted a lot of people. I've only surfed once, but I ended up loving them and stayed 5 days! I've also met people for coffee, learned about volunteer opportunities, and gotten tax advise off of other CSers!

Dave: So far I have just hosted many wonderful and interesting people.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

All of our couchsurfing experiences as hosts have been easy and fun.

Centres d'intérêt

Mel: OUTDOORS! hiking, biking, gardening, snowboarding (I can't wait to get Dave on a board!). I'm slowly getting Dave into snorkeling, then I'll get him SCUBA certified ;-) In former times I practiced Tae kwon do, riding horses,and yoga.

We both enjoy good food, cooking (particularly with wine and good people), and having new experiences.

Dave: You could call me a "Petrol Head".... or maybe a "Computer Geek"??? But in reality I think I am hard to pin a tag on. I enjoy fast cars, both driving them and modifying them - my V8 Holden is my pride and joy. I also get right into computers, from building them to gaming (race car games - go figure!). I also enjoy the outdoors, hiking, fishing (if/when I get a chance), touch rugby..... I'm looking forward to getting into a bit more snorkeling with Mel, and to getting us both set up with mountain bikes so we can get dirty together!!!!

• horses
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• coffee
• yoga
• gardening
• traveling
• cars
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• fishing
• hiking
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• snowboarding
• rugby
• swimming
• biology
• volunteering

Morceaux de musique, films et livres

Mel: I’m eclectic in all of these genres.
I'll always watch a good movie, especially if its "B" (for bad!). I love zombies, vampires, and action. Any music is good music, but I'm totally hooked on Michael Franti (how can one not dance to his music?) Kiwi bands: The Feelers, Tahuna Breaks, Black Seeds, Opshop
I love reading and don't do enough of it anymore. My favorites are Musashi, The Count of Monte Cristo, and many others not on the top of my head.

Dave: Movies - I find them mood dependent, comedy is great, but I also love action or a really good thriller. Vampires, werewolves or zombies are always good too. I choose not to have a favourite movie, although if you want to have a good laugh and watch a Kiwi classic I'd always recommend "Goodbye Pork Pie".
Music - I'm a rocker, I might as well not deny it. Bands like AC/DC, Metallica, Shinedown, roll off the tongue, and then there is my local bands like Shihad, Opshop, The Feelers and Black River Drive.
Books - Ones with BIG pictures!!!!

Une aventure extraordinaire que j'ai vécue

Mel: If I pick just one, out of the many, it would be hopping into the ocean with a pod of dolphins that just happened to be jumping and frolicking off the Coromandel Peninsula coastline. I could hear the noises they made and see them swimming just underneath me!

Dave: Hard to choose just one..... but proposing to Mel was quite amazing for me.... especially the bit where she said "yes"!!! Or.... if you like to see the petrol head side of me coming out, driving at 180Km/h over a 500m long single lane bridge is quite a buzz!!!

Enseignez, apprenez, partagez

Travel tips; Car tips; PC fixes

Pays que j'ai visités

Australia, Kenya, New Zealand, Rwanda, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States

Pays dans lesquels j'ai vécu

Australia, New Zealand, United States

• 

•