A lot of people measure their life according to what and how much they own (their possession), but some, like Vonk, measure it by what they’ve experienced and seen of the world. Breaking Free (Part 1 of the Good to Go series) is a breath-taking glimpse into a world we seem to think only exists in the pages of thrilling action novels or on the silver screen, I mean it has it all: insane adventures, life-threatening situations, thrillingly beautiful landscapes, exotic peoples and cultures. The simple truth is that adventure is out there, we just need to be willing to look for it – to run away from our comfort zones as far and as quickly as possible.
When I (and I’m arrogantly assuming most people as well) imagine what backpacking means to me, I image a budget holiday where I can barely afford the plane ticket (never mind a luxury hotel) in order to explore a new country for a week or two before heading back to college or work – a place to act out and try on a new persona before heading back to the “real” world. But what if you’re someone that doesn’t belong in one place for too long – and the only way to stay true to who you are and feel comfortable in your skin is to constantly travel and meet new people and discover new places? This is what life, as I see it, seems to be for Vonk – our normal placid lives are to him an anathema. Good to Go offers a perspective on a whole different way of living that so many of us dream of, fantasise about and envy, but we’re too scared to take the risks and make the sacrifices to achieve ourselves.
Naturally, when throwing away the guide book and just hitting the road comes with its share of mishaps, as Vonk describes in hilarious and, sometimes, achingly poignant detail. But these are the things that build a plot, that change our lives, shape us and motivate us. Vonk not only focuses on the events but takes care to paint a picture of China and Russia through his eyes and it’s incredible to note the changes in colour and tone that image takes the more he learns about each country, their customs and history. How these different places and cultures can simultaneously be delicate, stark, peaceful, cruel, graceful, resilient, ugly, exciting, boring, beautiful, strange, familiar - clashing contradictions and subtle harmonies all at the same time. Vonk’s travel journal offers readers a peek into the kaleidoscope that is our world.
After reading Part 1, Vonk has made me feel like luxury holidays are actually robbing us of entire sensory experiences and authenticity we’re dying to experience (something we ironically pay travel agents a fortune to guarantee). It’s made me rethink the way I want to travel to and through places; where I want to eat and sleep; how long and how often I can travel to new places, and even the places I want to go to – why go somewhere everyone’s seen? I completely recommend reading Breaking Free, Part 1 of the Good to Go series – whether you want to live vicariously through his actual experience or looking for inspiration for your next adventure. - Lerize W.
Seriously awesome book / narrative about a man who travels the word to places we can't even imagine. He encounters the most bizarre situations and meets all kinds of people. I loved reading it. Sometimes I was laughing out loud, sometimes I noticed tears on my cheeks, sometimes I was holding my breath by the things he encountered and most of all I was, and still am, really in awe and really baffled by the sheer awesomeness off all the adventures. Definitely a must read! - Marjolijn Bakker
