A shipping consultant turned adventurer is set to become the first person to visit every country in the world – all 203 of them – without ever stepping foot onto a plane. And all the while, surviving on just $19.98 – or £12.72 – a day.
Torbjørn Pedersen left his home in Denmark in the early hours of the morning on October 10th, 2013. Since then, the 35-year-old has visited almost 70 countries. From England to Ecuador, and beyond, he has pledged to spend at least 24 hours in each nation he visits, and declines to return to his native land until he was visited all 203 countries on Earth.
Photography Courtesy of facebook.com/pages/Once-Upon-a-Saga
Since he won’t be traveling through air, however, Pedersen estimates the feat will take more than four years to complete – making him as determined as he is patient.
“I’d grown up believing you need to be a millionaire to reach every country and it would take a thousand years,” he said according to the Daily Mail. “I want people to see they don’t need to be wealthy in order to cross borders, meet new cultures and make new friends – I have proved it so far.”
Photography Courtesy of facebook.com/pages/Once-Upon-a-Saga
Torbjørn survives on inexpensive street food and sleeps in hostels, voyaging to each different destination on trains, buses, shipping containers, and even fishing boats. He states that meeting new people is what has so far made the experience rewarding and worthwhile.
“It’s hard work sometimes – it’s certainly not the Hilton hotel and big steaks every night,” Torbjørn, who became a Goodwill Ambassador for the Danish Red Cross for the trip, said.
“I want to promote the goodness in humanity. It’s not a perfect world, but I believe it is certainly a lot better than most people think,” he added. “A stranger is a friend you’ve never met before.”
Photography Courtesy of facebook.com/pages/Once-Upon-a-Saga
Nevertheless, there have been other difficulties aside from his sparing lifestyle on the road: In accomplishing his dream, Torbjørn must visit hostile and war-torn territories. So far, he has been careful when visiting such areas, and insists that he will continue to be.
And although the Dane won’t be returning home until late 2017 (at the earliest), he is already planning his welcome back.
“When I get home I will give my girlfriend a very big hug,” he said. “And then I think I will sleep for a week.”
To follow updates on Torbjørn’s travels, visit onceuponasaga.dk.
