Alina and Maksim Pakk, a young married couple from Almaty, have spent several months cycling from Kazakhstan to the Indonesian island of Bali, a journey of more than 8,000 kilometers across multiple borders. Their daily updates on Instagram have drawn widespread attention, turning them into social media personalities.
The Times of Central Asia spoke with them about how they embarked on the journey, the challenges they faced, and how the experience has changed them.
TCA: Cycling from Almaty to Bali sounds bold. Do you remember the moment when the idea became a plan? Who initiated it?
Maksim: It’s been my dream since childhood back when I used to ride a BMX bike. I thought about it a lot, but it always seemed impossible. Then one day I realized: if not now, then when?
Alina initially thought it was a joke, but eventually I convinced her. We mapped out the route in just three or four days, and preparation took 45 days. We found sponsors, posted videos every day, learned blogging along the way, and gradually gained support from people.
@instagram.com/alina_pakk
TCA: Were you scared at all?
Alina: Very much so. But not on the road, at the beginning, during preparation. We had almost nothing, no proper gear, no clear plan, no certainty that it would work. It felt like we physically wouldn’t even be able to start, too many “buts” and too few resources.
But every day we sat down and visualized how we would travel, what we would eat, who we would meet. The fear was there, yes. That’s exactly why we went. If it’s not scary, then the goal isn’t big enough.
TCA: What does a typical day on the road look like? Are all days different?
Maksim: Our routine formed quite quickly. We wake up around 7 a.m., nature doesn’t let you sleep longer, especially when the tent is in the sun. We have breakfast, pack up, and by 9 a.m. we’re already cycling.
The first stretch is about three hours, then we take a mandatory lunch break and rest for an hour or so, otherwise the body doesn’t recover. After that, we ride again until 5 or 6 p.m., depending on how we feel and the road conditions.
When we find a place to stop, we set up the tent, and then the second shift begins: we work, editing videos and replying to messages. The day ends around 10 p.m.
And yet every day is completely different, new cities, new people, new landscapes. It never gets boring.
TCA: You’ve already cycled through China, Vietnam, Thailand, and are now in Malaysia. Which country surprised you the most? Are people the same everywhere?
Maksim: Honestly, every country surprised us in its own way. It’s impossible to single one out. In some places it’s the nature, in others the food, in others the way people treat strangers.
Overall, people are very similar everywhere, despite different languages and cultures. Everyone has the same concerns, work, family, home, and similar joys and problems. That’s probably one of the main conclusions of this journey. We’re much closer to each other than the news makes it seem.
Alina: China amazed us with its contrasts, you can see both massive cities and people who are barely familiar with technology. In Vietnam, we rode almost the entire way along the coast, enjoying great weather, around 25-30°C, eating delicious pho bo, and meeting followers quite often.
Thailand impressed us with its stunning nature and islands, and of course Thai massage, it’s very affordable and excellent. In Malaysia, we met many kind and helpful people. Kuala Lumpur is one of the most beautiful cities on our route.
@instagram.com/alina_pakk
TCA: Budget is obviously an important part of such a journey. How much money did you have at the start?
Alina: We had no personal savings. Just before departure, our relatives helped us with some starting funds. Without them, it would have been very difficult.
We searched for sponsors even before leaving, sending proposals, holding meetings, and explaining the idea. In the end, they covered the cost of bicycles, equipment, and clothing, which removed a significant financial burden.
We never considered stopping because of money. From the very beginning, we decided we would go no matter what, even if we didn’t have bicycles, we would walk.
TCA: Many people follow your journey. How safe is it to travel like this alone or as a couple?
Maksim: Overall, the journey has been much safer than we expected. There was one really unpleasant incident in Vietnam; someone tried to rob us in our tent at night. It was scary, but nothing happened. That episode made us more careful about choosing where to camp.
Otherwise, the road has been surprisingly calm.
TCA: How do you deal with difficult moments? What kind of team are you?
Maksim: We never once thought about quitting early. Of course, there were tough days: fatigue, rain, mechanical issues, moments when you just want to lie down and not get up.
We divided roles. I handle logistics, sponsor agreements, routes, technical issues, bikes. Alina takes care of content, filming, communication, video ideas and also helps with daily tasks like setting up the tent and cooking. That balance works well.
TCA: How are you planning to return?
Alina: We’re not planning to return yet; it’s not part of the plan. The route continues toward South Korea. Bali is not the finish line, just another point on the map.
@instagram.com/maxim.pakk
TCA: Finally, a philosophical question, how has this journey changed you?
Maksim: Absolutely everything has changed and that’s not an exaggeration. We can hardly understand how we lived before, what worried us, what mattered.
We’ve completely redefined our views on life, priorities, what’s important and what isn’t. We’ve grown a lot as individuals, as a team, as creators. And most importantly, we’re happy it’s happening to us, not to someone else, but to us.
Alina: And we realized this is just the beginning. We want to explore new countries and new stories. Our life is spontaneous and unpredictable now.
