Interview with an Affiliate: Reisjunk

Greg joined Manawa as an affiliate in 2018, at the very start of our affiliate program. Originally from The Netherlands, Greg started his blog a decade ago. Now with his girlfriend Irene, they talk about their travels on Reisjunk and on TravelRebels their new international website.

What was the inspiration behind starting Reisjunk?

When I started traveling for the first time in 2012 and arrived in Bangkok, I immediately became addicted to the energy that traveling brings. Discovering new flavors and scents, encountering new cultures, and enjoying landscapes I had never seen before was exactly what I needed at the time. Before I left, I wasn't sure which direction I wanted to take in terms of work, but after my trip, I knew for sure that I wanted to work in the travel industry.
During my travels, I also discovered my passion for photography. I wanted to travel much more but didn't have the means to do so. To stay engaged with travel, I started sharing my photos and stories online in 2014. At first, it was through a personal blog, and later through Reisjunk.nl. Reisjunk means "travel addict" in Dutch. After that, my girlfriend Irene and I made several long trips together and together wrote extensively about all these destinations. This allowed us to turn our passion into our profession and see much of the world. To share our tips with an international audience, we recently started translating our blog on Travelrebels.com.

What made you want to join Manawa as an affiliate?

Manawa's activities often align perfectly with our target audience. It made perfect sense to collaborate in promoting these activities. The account managers are always eager to brainstorm with us about which activities would be exciting to try when we visit a new destination. The selection of awesome outdoor activities is extensive, both at popular destinations and those off the beaten path.

What are your favorite destinations for outdoor activities?

This summer, we took a road trip through southern Norway, and the landscapes there were perfect for outdoor activities like glacier hiking in Folgefonna National Park. It was an incredible experience to climb through the crevasses of the glacier. Additionally, Iceland is also one of our favorite destinations to enjoy the outdoors. One of the most unique activities we did there was snorkeling between the tectonic plates. The water was freezing, but with a dry suit and snorkel, you can enjoy the clearest water on Earth and the surprisingly colorful underwater world.

What’s your favorite destination you’ve ever visited?

It’s always difficult to choose a favorite country because some are so different that you can’t really compare them fairly. One of the destinations we have the best memories of is Costa Rica. The pura vida lifestyle, rich biodiversity, and awesome activities make it a fantastic travel destination. Everywhere you go, you’ll spot animals like sloths and parrots, and the beaches are incredibly beautiful. In terms of activities, you definitely shouldn’t miss the zipline tour in Monteverde. Here, you fly through the treetops like Tarzan or Jane on some of the longest ziplines in the world. A bucket list activity for every traveler!

In your view, what are the advantages of the Manawa affiliate program?

We’ve had the opportunity to test various awesome activities in collaboration with Manawa. Over the past few years, this partnership has allowed us to see our revenue increase thanks to the perfect match between Manawa and our readers. It’s a pleasant and informal collaboration with personal contact.

And finally, which destination is next on your bucket list?

Raja Ampat! This Indonesian archipelago consists of more than 1,500 islands and is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich underwater biodiversity. We're planning an eight-day boat trip through the islands, reefs, and sandbanks, where we'll be doing a lot of snorkeling and visiting unique spots like the Blue River.

Thank you to Greg of Reisjunk for the interview! Find out more about the Manawa affiliate program.