Motorcycle trip to the Middle East driven by Passion Sponsorship Program – the story of Jadwiga and Filip’s extraordinary expedition
08.10.2026
11 000 kilometers, 38 days, five countries, and one motorcycle. Two Power People decided to turn the idea of a motorcycle trip together into reality. Jadwiga, Business Process Manager at Sii Poland, who has been with the company for almost 12 years, and Filip, Project Manager in Cybersecurity, who joined Sii in 2022, combined their experience and strengths to turn their passion for travel into a unique project.
As part of the Passion Sponsorship Program, our Workers set off from Poland to the Middle East by motorcycle. Along the way, they faced long hours on the road, temperatures reaching 46°C, and challenging border crossings, but also unforgettable moments that will stay with them for a long time.
Read the interview with Jadwiga and Filip to find out more about their passion, the preparations for their expedition, and what they took away from their journey to the Middle East.
Your story together began at Sii. How did you meet and what brought you closer?
We met four years ago at Sii, during a company event. We quickly realized that we had much more in common than just work – above all, a shared passion for travel. We both like animals, have a similar sense of humor, and a similar approach to life. Traveling was important to us even before we met, but once we became a couple, this passion grew even stronger. We enjoy discovering new places and cultures, but above all, meeting people and learning their stories.
For long-distance trips, a motorcycle is not an obvious choice. What made you choose this way of traveling?
We were inspired to take our first motorcycle trips by Marcin Prokop and his journey through the Balkans. We thought: “We want to try something like that.” We started with short trips around Poland and then went further – to Germany, Austria, and Slovakia. Over time, we started following the stories of people traveling by motorcycle through the Middle East. We had already visited several countries in the region and knew we wanted to see more. We were fascinated by the region’s climate and culture.
Your preparations took about a year. Where did you start, and what turned out to be the biggest challenge?
We started with a map – we set our destination and worked out how much time we would need for the entire route. Then we focused on the budget, accommodation, visas, insurance, and other formalities. However, the biggest challenge turned out to be the motorcycle documents. Since the motorcycle is leased, the leasing company is its legal owner. We needed a notarized authorization to use it outside the European Union and the Schengen Area. For many weeks, we tried to resolve the issue through official channels. Eventually, we decided to use LinkedIn and reach out directly to people who could help us. That was when the process started moving forward almost immediately.
Such a long journey required not only a good plan and all the necessary formalities, but also testing yourselves and your equipment. What did your preparations look like in practice?
Before the expedition, we took several longer test trips around Europe. Paradoxically, they took place in very difficult conditions, with heavy rain. This allowed us to test our equipment, clothing, and endurance, as well as identify what was missing and what we should change before the actual trip. We did not, however, train for adventure riding on sand or dunes – our main goal was to safely cover long distances on the road.
Your journey took you through a region where the situation can change very quickly. Were there any moments before departure when you started having doubts?
Before leaving, we never seriously considered giving up on the trip. The biggest doubts came when the conflict between Iran and Israel broke out in the region. For about two weeks, we followed the news and analyzed different scenarios. Filip remained calm, while I was definitely more concerned. As a precaution, we even prepared an alternative plan – transporting the motorcycle to Saudi Arabia or Jordan if we needed to bypass part of the route. In the end, the situation calmed down just in time for our departure.
Traveling by motorcycle through the Middle East, in high temperatures and over such long distances, sounds like quite a challenge. What was it like in practice, and which part was the most difficult?
Every day was a little different. Depending on the route, we spent 8–10 hours on the motorcycle, with border formalities adding even more time. The most demanding part was the journey from Baghdad to Kuwait – including the border crossing, we spent around 13 hours on the road, with temperatures reaching 44–46°C. In such conditions, it is not only about drinking water and taking electrolytes, but also planning your riding hours carefully and knowing your limits.
You mentioned challenging sections and long hours on the motorcycle. Were there moments when you asked yourselves: “Why did we do this?”
Of course. They usually came when things did not go according to plan – during long waits at the borders, unpleasant situations, or demanding stretches of the route. In those moments, we went back to our main goal – reaching Oman. It also helped to know that very few people choose to take a trip like this and that this experience would be truly unique for us.
Traveling through several countries and completely new places must have brought plenty of surprises. What surprised you the most?
Definitely Iraq. We arrived there with certain expectations that had little to do with reality. We expected caution and distance, but instead we encountered tremendous kindness and hospitality. In many places, we were treated not as tourists, but as guests. We remember the owner of a restaurant in Kurdistan who prepared a huge amount of food for us for a symbolic price and then took the time to help us. There were also situations when local people wanted to help us without expecting anything in return. The presence of the military and numerous checkpoints also made a strong impression on us. We quickly learned to respect local rules and customs, especially those concerning taking photographs of infrastructure and government or military facilities. This journey showed us that reality does not always look the way we imagine it based on the information we receive.
With such a journey, there are plenty of things to take care of. How did you divide the responsibilities between you during the trip?
We divided them quite naturally, based on our skills and strengths. Filip was responsible for the documents, route planning, accommodation, return tickets, and arranging the motorcycle’s transportation back to Poland. During the trip, he was also the rider and was responsible for safety and navigation. I focused on finding places and attractions to visit and documenting the journey. We were both involved in packing and documenting our experiences on the blog.
Thirty-eight days on the road, many hours on one motorcycle, fatigue, and challenging conditions – the trip must have been a test for you as a couple as well. How did it affect your relationship?
It definitely brought us even closer and showed us that we can rely on each other, even in difficult situations. The biggest challenge was… not killing each other along the way. Long hours of riding, fatigue, the heat, and moments of frustration tested our patience. In the end, we were always able to reach an agreement and find a compromise. Thanks to that, we feel that our relationship is even stronger today.
The trip brought you not only unforgettable travel memories, but also a very special moment – your engagement. How do you remember that moment?
We arrived at Elephant Rock, a rock formation resembling an elephant. We were there at sunset, and the place had an additional meaning for me because I collect elephant figurines. Filip was clearly nervous. At one point, completely unexpectedly, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was very surprised, but of course I said yes. I had to answer quickly, though, because kneeling on the rock was not exactly comfortable for him.
With such a journey, it is difficult to predict how everything will work out in practice. To what extent were you able to stick to your original plan?
We managed to carry out our plan as intended – in terms of the route, timing, and budget. We visited all the places and attractions we had planned and reached our destination within the expected timeframe. What’s more, the trip cost us less than we had originally estimated. So you could say that we delivered the project 100% as planned – with a slight “surplus” on our side.
Your journey may inspire people who dream of a similar adventure. What advice would you give someone who is just starting to think about it?
First of all, there is no need to plan the trip of a lifetime right away. It is best to start with shorter trips that allow you to test both your equipment and your own abilities. Every journey builds experience and confidence. The more unusual the destination, the more important formalities, documents, and planning different scenarios become. You cannot predict everything, but you can be prepared for unexpected situations. When it comes to less obvious destinations, gaining knowledge helped us the most – talking to people who had already been there, following other travelers’ stories, and reading about the places we were visiting. Many fears come more from stereotypes than from reality.
Over the years, you have gained a lot of experience through traveling. Does it also translate into your professional life?
Definitely. Traveling is a great way to grow, broaden your perspective, and see things from a different point of view. It teaches us flexibility, openness, and how to deal with new situations, which are also valuable in our professional lives. Traveling also brings new ideas and inspiration that we can use at work. Over the years, we kept repeating one motto that perfectly captures our approach to life: “ Travel – money comes back, time never does.”
You have already completed one major expedition, but your list of places to visit is certainly not getting any shorter. What destinations are you planning to explore next?
We always have new travel ideas in mind. In the near future, we would like to explore the Balkans, but we are also thinking about destinations further afield. When it comes to motorcycle trips, we dream of visiting the countries of Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. On our list of “more classic” destinations, we have Mexico, New Zealand, and Iceland.
You were able to make this journey happen thanks in part to the Passion Sponsorship Program. Would you like to use this opportunity again for future travel projects?
Definitely. We are very grateful that our company offers the Passion Sponsorship Program – an initiative that provides real, financial support to Workers in pursuing their interests and dreams. This journey showed us that ambitious ideas can be turned into reality by combining passion with good planning. If another travel project comes up in the future, we would be happy to apply to the Passion Sponsorship Program again.
