CURRENT MISSION

Travel.Explore.Get Lost.Laugh.Adventure.

ABOUT ME

Better known as just 'Giddy' amoungst friends, I have been living in Brisbane, Australia for the past four years studying what some may cringe at (engineering and finance, eek). Before moving here I was a surfing maniac, spending most weekends and afternoons at the beach chasing the perfect wave (or falling off it). An all rounded individual that loves to socialise and have a few beers.

PHILOSOPHY

visited 8 states (3.55%)Create your own visited map of The World or Like this? try: Mapped Web

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I participate in CS by of course hosting the traveler here and there when we can. I also like to contact people of the country I am next visiting. Its a great way to get some insight into that country and it allows you to plan a sweet adventure.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Over the years, the auchenflower pad (old Brisbane Student sharehouse) has hosted quite the number of travellers. Our humble abode was been dubbed - 'the corner shop' as it sits right on the corner of one of Brisbane busiest roads! I now live in another sharehouse with friends in Dutton Park. It's a big Queenslander with a great mix of people from students to musicians. We enjoy house dates and beers/wine most afternoons.

Travelling is about having new experiences, meeting new people, getting yourself lost and my favourite - living like a local. What better way to live like a local than to live with a local! Especially in Australia, tourist get much more out of hanging out with a local than doing the standard 'tourist' route - this is not Australia. I'd assume this goes for everywhere in the world. This has been my experience.

Interests

A once surfing Finatic, and since moving to Brisbane found myself in need to occupy my adventurous side with something more dangerous... rock climbing. I have traveled around Australia in search of the perfect route, oh and in Thailand Also...

To pass the time, I also started one of the social clubs at my university which has regular events and parties throughout the semester, So I do know how to have a good time!!!

Other than that, Travelling, travelling, travelling!!! I officially caught the travel bug when I went on a month trip through SE which was of course amazing. Thailand and Loas for 5 weeks! - wicked! My latest trip was riding all through Vietnam on dodgy Honda Win 100's - Now this was an adventure!

• architecture
• dining
• wine
• beer
• running
• partying
• clubbing
• shopping
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• blues
• cycling
• surfing
• rock climbing
• engineering
• beaches

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Amazing things ive done??? In one word! Vietnam. Late last year (2012) myself and my Brother decided to ride the 2200km's from one end of Vietnam to the other (Hanoi to Ho chi Minh). This is not a tripi for the faint hearted.

Firstly, regardless of experience, riding in Vietnam can be a terrifying ordeal. The smaller you are, the less you matter – trucks WILL run over you, intersections will NOT wait for you, this is the reality. Whilst in the 3 weeks we had numerous close shaves, returning from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi we unfortunately found out at reality the hard way. Through blood, bike fragments and utter chaos, our companion Adrian has hit a local riding a scooter side on at 60km/h. I quickly jumped into first aid mode, Shaun cleared the debris from the highway and between us both dealt with the situation. Three hours, twenty kilometres in a taxi and two X-Rays later; all patients are ok, albeit not well. A tough lesson learnt – be careful.
As always it’s the people that make the trip. From our pseudo Vietnamese “mother” and her family we partied with in Ho Chi Minh, to the locals (regularly) fixing our Honda Win100 steeds, to the Danish guy we dubbed “Two Thirds Jesus” (ALMOST looked the part) whom we bumped into in every town or the Aussie manager at Hue backpackers whom looked after us after days riding through the wilderness – the interactions you have define the trip; ours was phenomenal.
The road itself is definitely part of the adventure, particularly when on bikes! Choosing to take the Ho Cho Minh highway interior route rather than the tourist-riddled coast road we experienced days of beautiful scenery through areas we can describe as ‘straight out of Avatar’, lush greens, stunning blues, and endless horizons; not a word of English spoken. This dramatically compares to the towns and cities, expanses of concrete dotted with beautiful French colonial architecture, a mish-mash of chaotic roads and laneways bristling with people, food stalls and merchants. The old Vs new, the natural Vs concrete and the paved roads Vs jungle pathways; Vietnam certainly has a number of faces.
How a trip like ours changes you is the real take away though. The understanding gained, not only of others but of oneself. The compassion and mindset reached through seeing the highs and lows of people’s existence. The smiles, the tears, the high fives and the blood soaked hands – travelling is never easy, nor should it be, it provides an opportunity for self development that no other avenue can give. My suggestion to those reading is this is simple. Do it. Travel, save & save hard. Pick a spot, take the plunge, don’t look back and ignore those whom believe otherwise – it will be the best thing you ever do and provide memories cherished for a lifetime.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I now live in another share house with friends in Dutton Park. It's a big Queenslander with a great mix of people from students to musicians. We enjoy house dates and beers/wine most afternoons.

On top of offering a friendly bunch of instant friends, we can also offer two VERY comfortable couches. We also have some pop up beds if more needs to be accommodated.

We also do a lot of big 'house' meals which I am sure you will be able to join in on.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Japan, Laos, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia