Noraly Schoenmaker was living a comfortable life in the Netherlands, building a career as a geologist, when her world was suddenly turned upside down. For some, heartbreak might mean retreating inward, but Noraly chose something radically different. She walked away from the life she knew, packed up what she could, and set off to explore the world on a motorcycle. It wasn’t a wild whim — her work had already taken her to far-flung places like Panama and Indonesia, exploring gold mines and studying sand. But this time, it was her journey. Over 20,000 miles later, through countries like Iraq, Iran, and India, she found freedom, connection, and perspective — one road, one meal, one encounter at a time.

Noraly Schoenmaker is the creator of the hugely popular Itchy Boots YouTube channel. What began as a solo motorcycle trip has evolved into a global journey, with Noraly riding through remote regions, wild landscapes, and across entire continents — from South America to North America, and from Europe to Africa. Her background in biology and geology adds a thoughtful layer to her travels, and when she’s not riding, she calls the Netherlands home. Noraly is also the author of FREE RIDE.

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