Leaving behind the comfort of home, Polish couple Hanna and Jack traded certainty for the open road, proving that life’s greatest adventures begin with a simple decision: “now or never”.
Couple takes a leap of faith to travel the world
When you have spent four years on the road in different countries, everywhere is home to you. For Polish motorbike travellers Hanna and Jack, their journey from their hometown, along the Silk Road, and at present in Sarawak, is one that is an act of “now or never”.
Back home, both were entrepreneurs, with Jack being an enduro rally competitor and Hanna being an avid traveller and backpacker. As Jack taught Hanna to ride off-road, and Hanna taught Jack about travelling — the two are a dream team, riding off the beaten path.
“And in between our busy schedules, we thought that we had this dream to realise, that if we don’t change our priorities, there will be a day in which we’d say ‘we never went’ instead,” Hanna added.
As entrepreneurs in the e-commerce industry, Hanna and Jack — with the hearts of traders — had aimed to visit the routes along the Silk Road. From Xi’an, China, to Central Asia, Pakistan, India and the Middle East, they both just rode off one day four years ago and have yet to look back.
Now, with Hanna being 51 and Jack 56 years old, their only worry is that with age, it would be more difficult to travel using motorbikes. However, for now, they are just enjoying life to its fullest. With off-road travelling, riding motorbikes can be difficult and dangerous, yet the adventure and thrills are what keep them going.
“But if we ever need more comfortable travel when we get older, we will definitely travel by camper van,” she said.
To sustain their journeys, the couple earns passive income from renting out their flats back home. They also write articles for motorcycle magazines and run their adventures on social media through their YouTube channel, @onemoreadv, as well as Facebook and Instagram.
A journey of change
Though at times they would return to Poland to settle their travelling documents, they often couldn’t wait to get back on the road with their bikes.
“Our story is about change,” said Jack.
“We decided to change our lives, and making that decision wasn’t easy. At that time, we had to leave behind our relatively comfortable lives as entrepreneurs, with no idea what the future held. Setting out on the road meant starting over from scratch in a new environment — a life of constant travel,” he added.
And with every change in their landscape, with every day waking up to a different culture for years, Hanna and Jack felt that, in the process, they had to relearn how to live.
“Life on a motorcycle teaches us humility, tolerance and openness to change. You can’t plan for the weather or breakdowns. Back then, we trusted that we had the skills to take on such a challenge. Today, we are certain of it, and we believe that embarking on this journey together was the best decision of our lives,” Jack described their lives over the past four years.
Though each day brings new and unknown adventures, the couple has never regretted their decision to pack their bags and leave for the world. Hanna recalled that when she was an occasional traveller, travelling was only for several weeks before returning to a place called home.
“But now, we are not back home. Yes, we always have some sort of accommodation each day. Sometimes it’s not good, sometimes it’s great. At times we don’t get enough sleep; sometimes the food is not compatible with our diet,” she recalled.
Jack laughed as he added that at times he doesn’t even remember where the bathroom is when it’s late at night and he is tired from a whole day of riding.
Riding, he added, can take a toll, especially on days when it’s scorching hot.
“We would ride under high temperatures and under the sun, clad in our boots, helmets and jackets.”
However, the challenges do not falter their will to continue their journey. Not a sacrifice but a dream fulfilled, Hanna said their adventures could be an inspiration for others.
“With our documentation of the countries we have been to, we would like to show it to everyone — from the different cultures we have experienced, to the food we ate, and the landscapes — what the world is like in our eyes. We want to inspire others; to tell people that this is possible at every stage of your life,” she said.
Adding on, Jack said they each experienced the world while receiving different perspectives and lessons from it.
“Though we travel together, we each have a different journey. Because I see different things, and Hanna sees different things. For me, I appreciate each element of the architecture, while Hanna is interested in the different cultures.”
And along the way, they both learned lessons that they kept within their hearts. For Hanna, she believed that everyone, regardless of their country, religion and nationality, has the same desires.
“Everyone wants a better life for their children, relatives, significant ones, and a little bit of happiness to fulfil their dreams.”
The way forward
As they rode through the roads on their bikes, the landscape changed slowly, Hanna said. With each stretch bringing a gradual change, she felt grateful for the life she has chosen now.
“When you travel by plane, getting from point A to point B, there will be an obvious difference. However, travelling on land, the feeling is different. It’s something that most people will never have the opportunity to see, and just by being in nature for years, the feeling is wonderful,” she said.
With each country offering a different adventure, they also took the opportunity to learn in detail about them. In Sarawak, they have already visited the sago factory in Mukah and learned more about the different architectures in the region. While in Kapit, they spent some time exploring both old-school and contemporary life in longhouses by the riverbanks in Merit.
Though that is the best part about their journey, there are also days when they have gone through tough times, especially when their bikes needed maintenance and repairs. The job, however, falls upon Jack, who is also a former engineer.
Looking back at their adventures, Hanna and Jack snickered as they recalled that when they packed up four years ago, they brought along only three to four outfits each, with only three pairs of footwear. To them, space is a luxury, and having extras would be a burden instead.
After thousands of kilometres across continents, Hanna and Jack still do not know exactly where the road will end. Yet, perhaps that has never been the point. For the Polish couple, every sunrise brings another unfamiliar horizon, another culture waiting to be discovered, and another reminder that sometimes the greatest journey begins with the courage to simply leave.
