Öykü

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I am Öykü, a chef couple from Türkiye on a journey to reconnect with life. I love animals, nature, and hands-on projects. Excited to learn, share, and meet fellow travellers.

Description

🌿 Hello! I’m Öykü — a pastry chef, creator, and self-proclaimed Turtle Traveller 🐢

Six months ago, I pressed pause on the traditional work life and began a journey across Southeast Asia to reconnect with a slower, more meaningful way of living.

Since then, I’ve been traveling through different countries, choosing long-term volunteering experiences over fast tourism. I prefer staying at least a month in each place, taking the time to truly connect with local people, daily life, nature, and community projects. Because of this slow approach to travel, I like to call myself a Turtle Traveller — moving steadily, staying present, and allowing each place to leave a lasting mark on me.

I’m a trained pastry chef who loves creating things with my hands. Whether it’s baking, cooking, knitting, crafting, gardening, painting, or helping with creative projects, I enjoy bringing warmth, color, and positive energy wherever I go.

I learn quickly, adapt easily, and genuinely enjoy being useful. I’m just as happy helping in a kitchen as I am planting vegetables, organizing spaces, caring for animals, assisting guests, or learning completely new skills.

🧭 My Working Style

Before beginning this journey, I spent years working in professional kitchens where discipline, teamwork, and hard work were part of everyday life.

I don’t complain — I do.

I value clear communication, mutual respect, reliability, and a positive attitude. Volunteering, for me, is not simply exchanging work for accommodation. It is a chance to contribute, learn, connect, and become part of something meaningful.

I am punctual, responsible, and hardworking, but also easygoing, curious, and open-minded.

🌏 Why I Travel This Way

Somewhere along the way, life became louder than my own voice.

The modern world seemed to move faster and faster, while the things that matter most — connection, community, nature, creativity, and presence — were becoming harder to find.

I realized I wanted a different rhythm.

Not to escape life, but to return to it.

To return to shared meals, meaningful conversations, hands in the soil, mornings surrounded by nature, and communities built on kindness rather than competition.

Through volunteering, I hope to learn from local cultures, support inspiring projects, and continue growing as a person.

I travel with curiosity, gratitude, respect for different ways of life, and a genuine desire to contribute wherever I am welcomed.

Wherever I go, I hope to leave behind good energy, good memories, and good stories.

With kindness,

Öykü 🐢🌺

Interests

Farming

Sustainability

Events & social

Plant care

Carpentry

Mountain

Hiking

Water sports

Nature

Yoga / Wellness

Vegetarian or vegan

Van life

Pets

Outdoor activities

Music

Gardening

Drawing & painting

DIY & crafts

Culture

Cooking & food

Camping

Astronomy

Beach

Art & design

Animals

Languages

Languages spoken
Turkish: Fluent
English: Intermediate
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

Art Projects

Babysitting and creative play

Light gardening

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Some knowledge of:  

House & pet sitting

Helping around the house

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Able to teach about:  

Animal Care

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Creative DIY projects

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

I’m a trained pastry chef 👩‍🍳 with professional kitchen experience and strong skills in cooking, baking, food preparation, and kitchen organization.
🔆 Beyond the kitchen, I enjoy gardening, animal care, crafting, knitting, and creative hands-on projects. I learn quickly, adapt easily to new environments, and am always happy to help with guest support, community projects, eco-living initiatives, and everyday tasks.

Age

31

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