From Almaty to Bali: Two Cyclists from Kazakhstan on Their Bicycle Journey

Alina and Maksim Pak, 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. [caption id="attachment_48384" align="aligncenter" width="300"] @instagram.com/alina_pakk[/caption] 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,...