Carmen & Josh

Travel information

We are currently

Activities we are interested in:

Currently situated in Auckland but making my way to the South Island (Otago) mid June

Description

Hello all!

We are Josh and Carmen, a couple from the Netherlands and the UK who met in Australia in the beautiful Daintree (where Carmen was doing a Workaway).
We've continued our travels to New Zealand, since we both love to explore and spend time out in nature.

Carmen's background is in both human and animal physiotherapy, and I've spend quite some time volunteering in wildlife conservation in Afrika. During my current travels, I like to alternate between actual jobs and joining HelpX/Workaway, because I really value getting to know the local people and the area's where they live better. Some of my favorite volunteer placements have been in Greece (dog sanctuary), Bruny Island (helping out an elderly man in/around his house), the Blue Mountains (gardening), The Daintree (housekeeping at an eco lodge), Arrowtown (gardening and helping out an elderly couple with technology) and Waitekere (woodwork at a workshop).
My biggest hobbies would be in hiking and dancing, but I am very keen to hit the New Zealand slopes this winter with some previous experience snowboarding!

Josh: my background is in psychology research and support work, having experience as a caseworker with a Bristol young persons/homelessness charity. I am a musician and play the mandolin in the folk band Desperate Measures. I am green fingered and love plants and animals. I enjoy volunteering and have done plenty of it in the UK, including a food redistribution charity and festival stewarding. I have also liked using Couchsurfing to travel, and I think Workaway would be another great way to meet people in local communities, which is important to me.

We've both got our WHV for New Zealand, but Carmen got Josh excited about joining Workaways in between jobs.
In the beginning of June we're leaving Auckland for the South Island, where we end our roadtrip in Wanaka on June 20 and after that we'd love to join a Workaway in the Otago region for 1-2 weeks

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent

More details about my language interests
I am interested in learning the language of whatever country I visit.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Charity Work

Eco Projects

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Life at a Farmstay

General Maintenance

Helping around the house

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Some knowledge of:  

Animal Care

More details about your skills

Carmen:
Workaway/Helpx:
- Working at a dog sanctuary (+/- 100 dogs)
- helping out an elderly couple with chores in and around the house (gardening, cooking etc) on Bruny Island
- gardening and looking after the cat and dog of a wonderful lady in the Blue Mountains
- housekeeping in the Daintree Rainforest
- gardening in Arrowtown, NZ
- woodwork at a workshop in Waitekere, NZ

My paid jobs in Australia were both in Housekeeping, combined with working in the shop (general store, coffees). Currently I'm working both as a Physio Assistant and housekeeping at 'Ons Dorp', a Dutch retirement home in Auckland

Josh: I have practical experience maintaining an AirBnb property in rural Victoria, Austrailia. Gardening, landscaping, sweeping cobwebs, cleaning the pool, gathering firewood. I can use a drill and impact driver. I'm good with animals and plants, and excellent in the kitchen. I have many soft skills and enjoy tutoring, reflecting, and conversing. Good work ethic and attention to detail.

Age

31 & 29

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements