Here’s a traveller with an irresistible spirit and infectious energy! We’re speaking about the Danish adventurer Torbjørn C. Pedersen, aka Thor. He is now on a mission to travel to every country of the world that too without taking a single flight. He had begun his journey on 10th October 2013. Since the last six years, he didn’t stop and travelled from one nation to another, exploring diverse landscapes, cityscapes, people, food and whatnot. But then the coronavirus pandemic gripped the nation and now he is stuck in Hong Kong.
How Did It All Start?
Pederson decided to take up this incredible challenge of travelling all around the world after reading an article sent to him by his father. During his childhood days, Pederson’s family had to switch between New Jersey, Vancouver and Toronto, thanks to his father’s job in the textile industry. On the other hand, this mother was a travel guide. No wonder, that the travel bug has bit him hard. In the span of the last six years, he has already covered North America, South America, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Middle East, and now he is on the midway of his Asia expedition. While on his journey, he has commuted by trains, buses, cabs, shared rides, ferries and even cargo ships. But as per his rule, he didn’t book any flight. His per day budget had been around 20 US dollars.
Previously, Pederson served as a Royal Life Guard in the Danish Army. Also, for 12 years, he had worked for a shipping and logistics industry, that had taken him to places like Greenland, Kazakhstan, Florida, Bangladesh and more.
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What’s Happening Now?
Given the travel restrictions worldwide, his journey has come to a prolonged halt now. The 41-year-old is spending his time in Hong Kong giving speeches, serving the local Red Cross Society, and writing for his blog, Once Upon a Saga. He had planned for nearly 10 months before starting his journey and has already covered about 194 countries. Currently, there are 195 sovereign nations and some countries that are not included in the list of these nations. Pederson has planned to traverse all of them. His total target is 203. Means, he is only left to cover 9 countries now.
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Do you, too, have a similar dream like Pederson’s, but did not ever had the guts to take it up? You’re definitely inspired now. Good days will come for sure. For now, maybe you can start making plans.