Danish Man creates history by visiting every country without flying - here's how

Thor Pedersen, a 44-year-old Danish man, has achieved an extraordinary feat by visiting every country in the world without flying. Over the course of a decade, he traversed the globe using various means of transportation such as cars, buses, trains, and container ships. His incredible journey finally came to close when he arrived in Denmark in the last week of July. 

3 things you need to know

• Thor Pedersen began his journey on October 10, 2013.
• He covered every country in the world without flying.
• The remarkable journey concluded in the last week of July.

Grateful to supporters: Achieving the No-Fly world tour milestone

Pedersen shared the milestone on his Instagram handle, expressing gratitude to his supporters and followers for making him the first person to visit every country without flying. He also thanked the crew of the MV Milan Maersk, the massive container ship that carried him on the 33-day voyage from the Maldives to Denmark. 

(Thor Pedersen shared first post as he reached back home | Image: Thor Pederson/Instagram)

What were the rules and challenges of the epic journey?

The journey began on October 10, 2013, when Pedersen left behind his job, girlfriend, and family in Denmark to embark on this epic adventure. His self-imposed rules were to spend at least 24 hours in each nation and resist returning home until he completed his mission. He also maintained a tight budget of approximately US$20 a day throughout the trip. 

(Thor decided to return by ship to his home country | Image: Thor Pederson/Instagram)

On May 24, after nearly ten years of travel, Pedersen successfully reached his final country, the Maldives. Instead of taking the easy route and flying back. He decided to return by ship, symbolically completing the project in a historical manner. 

How did Pedersen overcome the hurdles of global exploration?

The journey wasn't without its challenges. Pedersen encountered visa delays, closed land borders in conflict zones, and endured a severe bout of cerebral malaria in Ghana. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a two-year hiatus in Hong Kong, where he forged special relationships and even married his fiancé virtually.

 

 

 

 

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Throughout his travels, Pedersen consistently upheld the motto, "A stranger is a friend you've never met before." He expressed that engaging with people around the world showed him the inherent kindness and positivity that exist, despite the often dramatic and negative news shared on social media. 

Now that he has accomplished his incredible goal, Pedersen plans to spend more time with his wife and start a family together. He also intends to share his experiences through speaking engagements, a skill he developed during his travels.