Zélie & Archibald

France
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Profile information

Travel information

We are currently

Travelling
Description

Hi! I'm a French traveler currently backpacking across Asia with my boyfriend for six months. We are students in France.

We're looking for authentic experiences, meaningful connections and a chance to discover local culture beyond traditional tourism. Rather than simply visiting a place, we love becoming part of daily life, learning from the people we meet and contributing wherever we can. We are curious, easy-going and always happy to learn new skills. We enjoy meeting new people, spending time outdoors and living simply.

We're not afraid of getting our hands dirty! We'd be happy to help with teaching, hospitality, reception, housekeeping, gardening, farming, cooking, serving guests, maintenance, pet care or any other daily tasks. We're quick learners, reliable and always do our best with a smile.

In our free time, we love sports, hiking, snorkeling, photography, discovering local food, enjoying nature and take time on the beach. We'd especially love to stay with a small family, with children, in a homestay, a farm or an eco-lodge where we can share experiences and create genuine connections.

We're excited to meet you and become part of your daily life, even if it's only for a short time!
Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate

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 we'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:

Babysitting and creative play

Light maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

Languages

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Teaching

Light gardening

Life at a Farmstay
More details about your skills

We can do everything with smile :)
Age

24 & 23
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

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24 Aug 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our homestay while ...)

We spent 15 days with Donald, Winnie and their family and had a really great experience!

From the beginning, they were very welcoming and we quickly felt like part of the family. We were lucky enough to be there during the traditional wedding of one of their sons and to help with the preparations. It was definitely one of the highlights of our … read more

(Excellent )

22 Aug 2026

Left by host (Join our homestay while ...) for Workawayer ()

Archibald & Zélie – A True Gift from France ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sometimes, the best things come when you least expect them. Just a day after I received the heartbreaking news that Aymeric, our confirmed Workawayer from Paris (since May this year) could not make it due to a car accident, I received a message from Archibald and Zélie, also from Paris. It felt … read more like fate had sent them to us. From that very first moment, I knew we were incredibly lucky.

Archibald and Zélie arrived on 5th August, and their warm smiles and genuine excitement were contagious. On that very first day, they presented me with the bottle of Batavia Whisky from Bali that I had requested. As I do with all my overseas Workawayers, I had offered to pay them back for it. But to my pleasant surprise, they brought it as a gift and kindly declined my payment. I was truly touched by their generosity and felt so appreciated.

They immediately dove into helping with the final preparations for my son's wedding on 8th August. They attended the rehearsal, met my nephew, and were briefed on their duties as bartenders at the new kitchen. Their greatest contribution came on 7th August, when they helped spray‑paint the logo onto the back of all 200 newly purchased chairs – a task that truly set the stage for the big day.

On the wedding day itself, they joined us at Holy Nativity Church Terawi for the holy matrimony, and later welcomed 600 guests at the reception. Throughout the celebration, they worked tirelessly at the bar alongside my nephew, and when the music started, they joined the line dances "Poco Poco" and "Jamilah"– Zélie was a natural! They also had the opportunity to witness the traditional "Miohin Pinisi" ceremony, an experience Archibald described as his first time attending such a huge wedding reception. We were so happy to share that piece of Kadazan culture with them.

After the wedding, their dedication continued. They helped us clean the house compound, spent a whole morning with us at the laundry in Plaza 333 washing over 400 tablecloths and bed linens, and then hung them all to dry at Kotos Verandah. They also spent two days reorganizing my hardware store, which had become chaotic before the wedding. Using recycled containers, they brought order to the space, and I am so grateful to finally see everything neatly arranged again.

On 15th August, they volunteered to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for our relatives and workers who had helped with the wedding. They made three delicious French cakes – olive, ham and tomato, and chocolate – along with French potato dishes for about 30 guests. It was a beautiful gesture of gratitude.

Before they left on 18th August, they helped make up all four rental rooms for our next guests of 9 ppl from Japan. And despite their busy schedule, they still found time to explore Sabah – visiting Tanjung Aru Beach for sunset, enjoying a Bongawan River Cruise with our friend Jeffrey, walking to Monsopiad Cultural Heritage Village, riding freely around KK on rented motorbikes, and even joining me on a trip to Sapi Island where we shared a simple but memorable lunch of steamed rice, soy sauce pork, and Sagota beer.

I am also grateful for the many meals we shared together. As usual to all my Workawayers and guests, I had the pleasure to bringing them to our favorite restaurant - treating them to a seafood lunch at Teck Keep Restaurant in Plaza 333, a White Tomyam breakfast at Tian Yuan Restaurant in Taman Khidmat, and a farewell dinner at The Welcome Restaurant in Penampang. I'm really happy to spent time together on their last night and hope they enjoyed the sweet and sour Grouper fish, "Siput Tarik", mayonnaise prawns, and steamed prawns – local flavors they will surely remember.

Archibald and Zélie are hardworking, respectful, and always followed our homestay rules. They brought joy, laughter, and a genuine spirit of kindness into our home. They were not just volunteers – they became family.

We wholeheartedly recommend them to any host. They are always welcome back and we hope to see them again someday, perhaps during their wedding in Paris 😀🙏♥️

Thank you, Archibald and Zélie, for the beautiful memories. Safe travels, and keep in touch!

Warm regards,
Donald & family
The Homestay, Penampang, Sabah

(Excellent )