<strong>Around the world without flying:</strong> Danish native Torbjørn "Thor" Pedersen is determined to visit every country in the world without taking a single flight.
Around the world without flying: Danish native Torbjørn "Thor" Pedersen is determined to visit every country in the world without taking a single flight.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga.jpg
<strong>Petra, Jordan: </strong>By the end of his journey, Pedersen will have visited 203 countries in total, including 195 sovereign nations according to the United Nations. He's now stuck in Hong Kong due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Petra, Jordan: By the end of his journey, Pedersen will have visited 203 countries in total, including 195 sovereign nations according to the United Nations. He's now stuck in Hong Kong due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Pedersen's journey: </strong>First, he traveled around Europe, then North America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Mediterranean, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, and then over to the far-flung islands in the Pacific.
Pedersen's journey: First, he traveled around Europe, then North America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Mediterranean, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, and then over to the far-flung islands in the Pacific.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Nine countries to go: </strong>Pedersen began traveling in October 2013. After roughly 6.5 years on the road and a budget of US$20 a day, Pedersen is just nine countries away from reaching his goal.
Nine countries to go: Pedersen began traveling in October 2013. After roughly 6.5 years on the road and a budget of US$20 a day, Pedersen is just nine countries away from reaching his goal.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Inspired by an article: </strong>Pedersen says the idea came to him serendipitously, through an article his father sent him. "I discovered that it's actually possible to go to every country in the world -- I had never thought about it before," says Pedersen.
Inspired by an article: Pedersen says the idea came to him serendipitously, through an article his father sent him. "I discovered that it's actually possible to go to every country in the world -- I had never thought about it before," says Pedersen.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>No flights:</strong> With the ease of air travel off the table, he's traversing the globe via trains, taxis, tuk-tuks, ferries and container ships.
No flights: With the ease of air travel off the table, he's traversing the globe via trains, taxis, tuk-tuks, ferries and container ships.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Visiting every Red Cross: </strong>Pedersen visits the Red Cross wherever the movement operates to spread awareness about their local initiatives. So far, he's already visited Red Cross societies in 189 countries -- a feat that's never been done before, he says.
Visiting every Red Cross: Pedersen visits the Red Cross wherever the movement operates to spread awareness about their local initiatives. So far, he's already visited Red Cross societies in 189 countries -- a feat that's never been done before, he says.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>24 hours in every country: </strong>Pedersen also set a few rules for himself: He must spend at least 24 hours in every country and can't return home until he's done.
24 hours in every country: Pedersen also set a few rules for himself: He must spend at least 24 hours in every country and can't return home until he's done.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>'You can't plan for natural disasters': </strong>"Coordinating everything takes a lot of time. And even if you do have all your connections planned and everything lined up, you can't plan for natural disasters or typhoons," which he says threw his schedule off course on numerous occasions.
'You can't plan for natural disasters': "Coordinating everything takes a lot of time. And even if you do have all your connections planned and everything lined up, you can't plan for natural disasters or typhoons," which he says threw his schedule off course on numerous occasions.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Visa challenges: </strong>Though Pedersen's Danish passport is one of the most powerful in the world, many visas have still been challenging to secure, especially in notoriously hard-to-visit destinations such as Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nauru and Angola.
Visa challenges: Though Pedersen's Danish passport is one of the most powerful in the world, many visas have still been challenging to secure, especially in notoriously hard-to-visit destinations such as Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nauru and Angola.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>'Never quit': </strong>"I never quit, not even once. Not when I had malaria. Not when I was losing my girlfriend. Not when my grandmother died. Not when I lost financial backing. Not when I was in pain," Pedersen says.
'Never quit': "I never quit, not even once. Not when I had malaria. Not when I was losing my girlfriend. Not when my grandmother died. Not when I lost financial backing. Not when I was in pain," Pedersen says.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Nearing the end: </strong>To complete his goal, Pedersen still needs to visit Palau, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. By Pedersen's estimation, the remainder of his journey will take at least another 10 months to a year.
Nearing the end: To complete his goal, Pedersen still needs to visit Palau, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. By Pedersen's estimation, the remainder of his journey will take at least another 10 months to a year.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>A background in logistics: </strong>Pedersen says that his experience in the shipping and logistics industry has helped him greatly throughout his journey.
A background in logistics: Pedersen says that his experience in the shipping and logistics industry has helped him greatly throughout his journey.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Efficient planning: </strong>"Since I worked in shipping and logistics, I was used to having multiple things in the air at the same time, finding solutions and making everything more efficient," he says.
Efficient planning: "Since I worked in shipping and logistics, I was used to having multiple things in the air at the same time, finding solutions and making everything more efficient," he says.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>A people project: </strong>Pedersen says this is not a travel project but a people project. His primary mission is to shed light on the inherent goodness of people, on how much we have in common -- not our differences.
A people project: Pedersen says this is not a travel project but a people project. His primary mission is to shed light on the inherent goodness of people, on how much we have in common -- not our differences.
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>There are always solutions: </strong>The 41-year-old traveler says, "Whenever I needed help someone reached out and helped me. But I always figured out a solution -- and I did it the right way. I never offered a single bribe."
There are always solutions: The 41-year-old traveler says, "Whenever I needed help someone reached out and helped me. But I always figured out a solution -- and I did it the right way. I never offered a single bribe."
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga
<strong>Staying positive': </strong>"Today, the world might be falling apart," says the adventurer. "But, next month, the sun will be shining on my face."
Staying positive': "Today, the world might be falling apart," says the adventurer. "But, next month, the sun will be shining on my face."
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen/Once Upon A Saga