{"id":99,"date":"2024-07-01T21:58:56","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T21:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/?p=99"},"modified":"2026-03-12T01:52:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T01:52:13","slug":"man-who-visited-every-country-without-flying-has-finally-returned-home-cnn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/man-who-visited-every-country-without-flying-has-finally-returned-home-cnn\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Die Bezocht Elk Land Zonder Vliegen Eindelijk Terug Thuis"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"layout__top layout-with-rail__top\" data-editable=\"top\" data-track-zone=\"top\">\n<div class=\"headline headline--has-lowertext\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/headline\/instances\/clkt0kxih000h66p8d7yefjz9@published\" data-component-name=\"headline\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\n<div class=\"headline__wrapper\">\n<h1 id=\"maincontent\" class=\"headline__text inline-placeholder vossi-headline-primary-core-light\" data-editable=\"headlineText\">Man who visited every country without flying has finally returned home<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"headline__footer\">\n<div class=\"headline__sub-container\">\n<div class=\"headline__sub-text\">\n<div class=\"byline\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/byline\/instances\/clkt0kxih000d66p8256tcwro@published\" data-editable=\"settings\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"layout__wrapper layout-with-rail__wrapper\" data-sticky-anchor-pos=\"top\" data-sticky-anchor-condition-type=\"pageType,subsection\" data-sticky-anchor-condition-value=\"article,!elections\" data-sticky-anchor-priority=\"1\">\n<section class=\"layout__main-wrapper layout-with-rail__main-wrapper\">\n<section class=\"layout__main layout-with-rail__main\" data-editable=\"main\" data-track-zone=\"main\" data-reorderable=\"main\">\n<article class=\"article\" role=\"main\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/article\/instances\/clkt0kxip000q66p87sko9jla@published\" data-unselectable=\"true\" data-regwall-disabled=\"false\">\n<section class=\"body tabcontent active\" data-tabcontent=\"Content\"><main class=\"article__main\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"article__content-container\">\n<div class=\"article__content\" data-editable=\"content\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<div class=\"ad-slot-dynamic ad-slot-dynamic--3\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/ad-slot-dynamic\/instances\/sharethrough-travel-style@published\" data-placement=\"{&quot;mobile&quot;:{&quot;position&quot;:4},&quot;desktop&quot;:{&quot;position&quot;:2}}\" data-unselectable=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ad-slot\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/ad-slot\/instances\/cnn-v1@published\" data-path=\"end\/ad-slot-dynamic[0]\/items\" data-desktop-slot-id=\"ad_nat_btf_01\" data-mobile-slot-id=\"ad_nat_btf_01\" data-unselectable=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ad-slot__feedback ad-feedback-link-container\">\n<div class=\"ad-feedback-link\" data-ad-type=\"DISPLAY\" data-ad-identifier=\"ad_nat_btf_01\">\n<div class=\"ad-feedback-link__label\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml00073b6fn2o0xhl5@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Pedersen set a couple of rules for himself. He\u2019d spend at least 24 hours in each nation and resist returning home until he finished.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clktvrj5u00023b6f1ryfq3ch@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">He\u2019d also do his best to keep costs low and live off a budget of roughly US$20 a day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml00083b6fbn1c8mve@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">On May 24, that day finally came. After nearly ten years of travel, Pedersen successfully visited his 203rd and final country, the Maldives, and began his long-awaited voyage back to Denmark.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml00093b6f9eilkb7q@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">It would have been easier to fly, of course, but Pedersen wanted to bring the project full circle.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-slot-dynamic ad-slot-dynamic--1\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/ad-slot-dynamic\/instances\/outstream@published\" data-placement=\"{&quot;mobile&quot;:{&quot;position&quot;:7},&quot;desktop&quot;:{&quot;position&quot;:6}}\" data-unselectable=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ad-slot-dynamic__close\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000a3b6frj8qhs8n@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cThere\u2019s a historical sense of returning home by ship \u2013 people can see it on the horizon and stand and wave as I come down the gangway,\u201d Pedersen, who has been traveling as a goodwill ambassador for the Danish Red Cross, tells CNN Travel. \u201cAnd that seems like an appropriate way to complete the project.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000b3b6f2dwjs0sl@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">After celebrating in the Maldives, the 44-year-old backtracked to Malaysia via Sri Lanka to board the massive MV Milan Maersk \u2013 a container ship stretching roughly 1,310 feet long, or about the size of 3.6 soccer fields \u2013 for the 33-day voyage home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000c3b6fsme95o83@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cIn my cabin, I looked out the porthole in Malaysia, and it dawned on me that every day the view would gradually change until it finally became Denmark,\u201d says Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000d3b6f7qy5jdsk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cEven if I broke my leg at that point, I would make it home. There are no more snakes, wild dogs, malaria, or visas to secure \u2013 I just had to avoid falling overboard!\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"an-emotional-homecoming\" class=\"subheader\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/clkt0uiau002g3b6fhlmkqs55@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">An emotional homecoming<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000f3b6fu01bh5ij@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">On July 26, Pedersen walked down the gangway at the Port of Aarhus, on Denmark\u2019s eastern coast, where roughly 150 people were waiting for him to celebrate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000g3b6fejyzvl3n@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Among the cheering crowds were his wife Le (Pedersen proposed to his girlfriend atop Mt Kenya in 2016 and they married in 2021), father, siblings, friends, project partners and many supporters who have been following his blog,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.onceuponasaga.dk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-penci-link=\"external\">Once Upon a Saga<\/a>, and social media channels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000h3b6f1gzfbpnu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI\u2019ve seen many tearful eyes since I got back \u2013 people have come up to hug me sobbing,\u201d says Pedersen. \u201cI have also received a lot of gifts \u2013 Danish beer, milk, foods \u2013 and got to meet people who have been following my social media from Colombia, Australia, Norway\u2026 that was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000i3b6f2wd79n58@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">While fielding a deluge of calls, messages, and interview requests, Pedersen has been catching up with family at his father\u2019s house.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000j3b6f44ivnmsg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">He\u2019s also savoring all little things \u2013 like the clean and cool Danish air, morning runs with Le, and ice-cold Danish milk at every opportunity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000k3b6f62glkxak@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cMy family is really proud. There\u2019s a lot of love,\u201d he says. \u201cComing home is something I\u2019ve been focusing on \u2013 something I\u2019ve wanted to materialize for the longest time. But I am still processing that the journey is over and figuring out what comes next.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"image image__hide-placeholder image--eq-extra-small image--eq-small\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/clkt0w4kb002i3b6fvxzpnqm8@published\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"02 thor pedersen world traveler\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.5625\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125931-02-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image--show-credits&quot;: 525}\"><picture class=\"image__picture\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125931-02-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125931-02-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125931-02-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125931-02-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image__dam-img\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125931-02-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Pedersen arriving at the Port of Aarhus, greeted by friends and fans.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"image__metadata\">\n<div class=\"image__caption attribution\"><span class=\"inline-placeholder\" data-editable=\"metaCaption\">Pedersen arriving at the Port of Aarhus, greeted by friends and fans.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Port of Aarhus<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"ten-years-of-travel\" class=\"subheader\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/clkt0we42002l3b6fa308w2te@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">Ten years of travel<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000m3b6fabue3c7q@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Before taking off in 2013, Pedersen worked in shipping and logistics, which turned out to be invaluable expertise when planning the complex route and adapting on the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000n3b6fct3is9lz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">In fact, he didn\u2019t veer much from his original plan, aside from a few surprises. For instance, he overlooked Equatorial Guinea, one of the world\u2019s most difficult countries to access. After four months and many failed attempts, Pedersen finally acquired a visa. Even though land borders were closed at the time, he was able to cross thanks to a serendipitous encounter with a stranger who worked in Equatorial Guinea and offered him a ride.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000o3b6fkoqd6v1q@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Later, Pedersen thought he could acquire a Chinese visa at the border with Mongolia and then travel to Pakistan. But due to the long processing time, he had to backtrack nearly 7,500 miles through several countries to get to Pakistan before his visa expired.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000p3b6fvq44jlr4@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">All the while, time started to add up. He had originally anticipated it would take four years to reach 203 countries (the UN recognizes 195 sovereign states, but Pedersen included partially recognized states, too), but the world had other plans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000q3b6f6mtq9jn8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">During his years on the road, Pedersen endured months-long visa delays in places like Syria, Iran, Nauru, and Angola.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000r3b6f56yoqzdc@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">He also overcame a severe bout of cerebral malaria in Ghana, survived an intense four-day storm while crossing the Atlantic from Iceland to Canada, navigated shuttered land borders in conflict zones, and had to reschedule many sailings due to broken-down ships or exhausting bureaucracy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width related-content_full-width--article\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/related-content\/instances\/clkt1vesp00003b6fe6e9apgn@published\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width__image image__related-content\">\n<div class=\"image image__hide-placeholder image--eq-extra-small\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cljzk7t99008746qgf3vb82ia@published\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"01 project wild earth Priors\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.5625\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230718151849-01-project-wild-earth-priors.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image--show-credits&quot;: 525}\"><picture class=\"image__picture\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image__dam-img\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230718151849-01-project-wild-earth-priors.jpg?c=16x9&amp;q=h_144,w_256,c_fill\" alt=\"01 project wild earth Priors\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"image__metadata\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"related-content_full-width__headline\"><span class=\"related-content_full-width__headline-text\" data-editable=\"content.headline\">They quit their jobs and sold everything to drive around the world with two young children<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otml000s3b6fqdcne8h7@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">The most significant delay was the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm000t3b6f02k256mg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">In early 2020, the intrepid traveler suddenly found himself\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/article\/around-the-world-without-flying\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-penci-link=\"external\">stuck in Hong Kong for two years<\/a>\u00a0with just nine countries left.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm000u3b6f5xgrbybv@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI look back at Hong Kong, and it\u2019s a bit of a paradox. It was the worst time of my life and the best time of my life, somehow. I had to cope with the situation \u2013 it was such a struggle to work out if I should abandon this project nine countries short of completion,\u201d Pedersen recalls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm000v3b6f9ih8mf27@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI had to ask myself: how much of my life will I give to this? But while waiting for the world to open, I made a life in Hong Kong and forged so many special relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm000w3b6f9qbp9xyk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Pedersen stayed sane by cooking dinner with friends, hiking the city\u2019s many trails, working with the Red Cross, giving motivational speeches, and working at the Danish Seamen\u2019s Church.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm000x3b6fth9azktk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Having acquired an employment visa and Hong Kong residency, Pedersen married his fianc\u00e9, Le, who was back in Denmark, via a US-based virtual wedding service.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm000y3b6f5mqm0lme@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">It wasn\u2019t how the couple envisioned their big day, but the decision enabled Le to become a resident and visit Pedersen (Hong Kong prohibited foreign travelers at the time).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm000z3b6fgqjqa2l0@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cWe spent 100 days together, which was wonderful,\u201d he recalls, adding that it was their longest stretch of time together since Pedersen left Denmark in 2013. \u201cShe got to meet my friends and understand my life. We love\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/article\/hong-kong-hiking-trails-intl-hnk\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-penci-link=\"external\">hiking in Hong Kong<\/a>\u00a0and did the MacLehose Trail, which is 62 miles long at more than half the elevation of Mount Everest, side by side in one go.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width related-content_full-width--article\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/related-content\/instances\/clkt233ca00083b6f78x3h1gp@published\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width__image image__related-content\">\n<div class=\"image image__hide-placeholder image--eq-extra-small\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/thumbnail-07f821c16b74b17a998b8350ce1a4a97@published\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"Torbj\u00f8rn (Thor) Pedersen:Once Upon A Saga\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.5625\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/200417144151-torbjrn-thor-pedersenonce-upon-a-saga.jpg?q=w_1600,h_900,x_0,y_0,c_fill\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image--show-credits&quot;: 525}\"><picture class=\"image__picture\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image__dam-img\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/200417144151-torbjrn-thor-pedersenonce-upon-a-saga.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_900,w_1599,c_fill\/h_144,w_256\" alt=\"DCIM105GOPRO\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"image__metadata\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"related-content_full-width__headline\"><span class=\"related-content_full-width__headline-text\" data-editable=\"content.headline\">This man is just 9 countries away from visiting every nation in the world without flying. But he\u2019s stuck in Hong Kong due to Covid-19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-journey-resumes\" class=\"subheader\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/clkt22kbb00063b6fzyw899ku@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">The journey resumes<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00113b6ftiujd75z@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">On January 5, 2022, Pedersen was finally able to leave Hong Kong and continue across the Pacific.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00123b6fg7xylz0p@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">His first stop was Palau. Behind the scenes, it took six months of negotiation with the Palau government to let him arrive via container ship, he says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00133b6fb6avmeau@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">After 15 days at sea, Pedersen spent eight of his 14 days in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/article\/taiwan-palau-travel-bubble-intl-hnk\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-penci-link=\"external\">Palau<\/a>\u00a0in hotel quarantine due to an outbreak on the island.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00143b6fbbsfesbf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Next came a 16-day journey back to Hong Kong, where he returned to hotel quarantine for another two weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00153b6f6pshsvp1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">About a month later, he continued on to Australia, then New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga \u2013 but not without immense effort.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00163b6fed3m7abm@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI had to plead with almost every government. For Tonga, we were in touch with the health ministry, navy, and military. No one wanted to say yes and go against the prime minister [because the country was in a state of emergency due to COVID],\u201d says Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00173b6fabgsulxg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cFinally, one night, I got an email from the prime minister that simply said, \u2018It\u2019s okay, let him in.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00183b6fh2d4o8f0@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">After Tonga, Pedersen went to Vanuatu, where Le joined him again so they could marry in person.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00193b6fopuu73do@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Their wedding planner invited all the resort guests and staff, who made incredible decorations from palm leaves and drew huge hearts adorned with seashells in the sand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001a3b6foaacqrkg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cIt was just beautiful \u2013 the staff was sweet and giddy, and they made it really special,\u201d says Pedersen.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image image__hide-placeholder image--eq-extra-small image--eq-small\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/clkt25r3g000d3b6f8k324lef@published\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"03 thor pedersen world traveler\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.666875\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801142411-03-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image--show-credits&quot;: 525}\"><picture class=\"image__picture\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801142411-03-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801142411-03-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801142411-03-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801142411-03-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image__dam-img\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801142411-03-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Thor-in-Hong-Kong-2020\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"image__metadata\">\n<div class=\"image__caption attribution\"><span class=\"inline-placeholder\" data-editable=\"metaCaption\">Pedersen in Hong Kong, where he spent an unexpected two years during the pandemic.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Maxime Champigneulle<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-final-three\" class=\"subheader\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/clkt25djm000b3b6f3mjbo5ph@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">The final three<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001c3b6fki5cs5k3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Pedersen set off for the last country in the Pacific, Tuvalu, wary of the logistics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001d3b6f342gggo1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Home to nine islands and just 11,600 people, Tuvalu is one of the world\u2019s smallest and most remote nations, so it can be tough to get spare parts for boats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001e3b6fztg8rujq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cIt is gorgeous. The surf is amazing, the sky is beautiful, and the people were so kind and helpful,\u201d he says. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t expect to be there for two months.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001f3b6fggwv1j5c@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cThe ships kept breaking down. One of them had a leaking hole in the hull. I tried to get on another ship, but it just never set off.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001g3b6flw2wd1vn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Finally, Pedersen managed to return to Fiji on a tugboat. From there, a 24-day journey on a container ship took him to Singapore, where Le joined him to devour food at hawker centers, explore the National Museum, hike the MacRitchie Nature Trail, and run along the Singapore River.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001h3b6fr3dspfi6@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">After she returned to Denmark, Pedersen crossed the land border to Malaysia and caught a ship to Sri Lanka before setting sail to the final country: the Maldives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001i3b6fnj2a1d51@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">When Pedersen arrived at the port in Mal\u00e9, the capital, he spotted a group of people waving waving small Danish flags alongside one of his sponsors, Ross Energy, and friends like record-setting Norwegian traveler\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/garfors\/?hl=da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-penci-link=\"external\">Gunnar Garfors<\/a>\u00a0(the first person to visit every country in the world twice), who came to help him celebrate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001j3b6fg2lk6idi@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cWhen I was in the Maldives, it was enormously hectic, and I had no real time for reflection,\u201d he says. \u201cI was mentally exhausted \u2013 it has been a roller-coaster of emotions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001k3b6f5332f87i@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cThere\u2019s uncertainty while I am traveling, but I have been in operational mode for so long now that it feels somewhat safe to me. There\u2019s a different kind of uncertainty when I get home. I will be free to do whatever I want, go anywhere, or go nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"traveling-with-purpose\" class=\"subheader\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/clkt28334000g3b6f2d6b88ds@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">Traveling with purpose<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001m3b6fs0wsanho@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">From start to finish, Pedersen tallied up some incredible statistics during his travels:\u00a03,576 days,\u00a037 container ships, 158 trains, 351 buses, 219 taxis, 33 boats and 43 rickshaws.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001n3b6ffar2zmam@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">He crossed 223,000 miles, or the equivalent of nine journeys around the Earth \u2013 and that\u2019s not including the long voyage home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001o3b6ff8w1mb8x@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">But it\u2019s not about the numbers, says Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001p3b6fcy8hrgsf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">It\u2019s about celebrating the kindness of people and sharing a positive outlook on the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001q3b6f6oi6pm1b@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI set out on this journey with a motto, \u2018A stranger is a friend you\u2019ve never met before,\u2019 and I have been shown time and time again that this is true,\u201d he says. \u201cIf you engage with people, they\u2019re usually all in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001r3b6fqpv8jy0d@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">Pedersen says he\u2019s met warm, friendly, helpful people all around the world, many of whom offered him tea, meals, introductions, translation support, or simply provided directions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clktvtk9r00063b6fzhqhp8jv@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI stayed in the homes of many, many strangers\u00a0during my travels, and I\u00a0made it through every country in the world \u2013 the ones with armed conflict, the ones with virus outbreaks \u2013 unharmed,\u201d he exclaims.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001t3b6fxrhu3ul0@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cEither I\u2019m the luckiest man on the planet, or the world is in a much better place than most people are led to believe by the scary, dramatic news on social media and news channels.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width related-content_full-width--article\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/related-content\/instances\/clkt28ggt000i3b6fbgln0xlz@published\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width__image image__related-content\">\n<div class=\"image image__hide-placeholder image--eq-extra-small\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/clhr2zxwm000k47nt90mfe8h2@published\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"07 body future travel hyperloop\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.5625\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230531105827-07-body-future-travel-hyperloop.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image--show-credits&quot;: 525}\"><picture class=\"image__picture\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image__dam-img\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230531105827-07-body-future-travel-hyperloop.jpg?c=16x9&amp;q=h_144,w_256,c_fill\" alt=\"HyperloopTT\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"image__metadata\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"related-content_full-width__headline\"><span class=\"related-content_full-width__headline-text\" data-editable=\"content.headline\">The future of travel: 10 concepts that will change the way we experience the world<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001u3b6f5gzjsm24@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">The journey is also a testament to Pedersen\u2019s perseverance. He came close to quitting a few times but refused to throw in the towel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001v3b6f8sj5tlc9@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cSomeone wrote me today that I won first, second and third prize in stubbornness,\u201d laughs Pedersen. \u201cThere\u2019s always been a solution. I just had to look really hard for it sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001w3b6fomperm8e@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">His dogged determination mentality comes from a desire to show supporters they can do anything they put their minds to.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001x3b6f9uaskszn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI had the craziest of goals. And if I could do this, you can lose weight or learn to play an instrument, learn a language, get an education, get a job\u2026 whatever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"image image__hide-placeholder image--eq-extra-small image--eq-small\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/clkt2avx5000n3b6fiancsc7i@published\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"01 thor pedersen world traveler\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.5625\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125927-01-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image--show-credits&quot;: 525}\"><picture class=\"image__picture\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125927-01-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125927-01-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125927-01-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125927-01-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image__dam-img\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125927-01-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Pedersen disembarking from the cargo ship in Aarhus.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"image__metadata\">\n<div class=\"image__caption attribution\"><span class=\"inline-placeholder\" data-editable=\"metaCaption\">Pedersen disembarking from the cargo ship in Aarhus.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Port of Aarhus<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"whats-next\" class=\"subheader\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/clkt2a1yt000l3b6fetfqy3xx@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">What\u2019s next?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm001z3b6f8omrlgru@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">His final sail aboard the MV Milan Maersk journeyed across the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea, across the Suez Canal, into the Mediterranean, up the English Channel, over to Germany, and finally, to Denmark.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00203b6fzfgka21y@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">\u201cI haven\u2019t processed that this project has ended yet. They say that if you want to incorporate a new habit in life, you must repeat it for 30 days. I\u2019ve been doing this for more than 3,500 days. So, this is very much who I am now,\u201d says Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00213b6f1uo9go85@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">After he\u2019s had time to rest and regain his footing, Pedersen plans to trade in his life of perpetual travel and move forward in other ways.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00223b6fdf2e458l@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"on\">For starters, he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and starting a family together.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00233b6frl2efgiv@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"off\">\u201cWe have a lot of things to celebrate. While I was traveling, she accomplished so many things \u2013 she completed a medical degree, finished her PhD, started working at a pharmaceutical company, got a promotion, completed two full Ironman [triathlons]\u2026 she\u2019s a superwoman.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00243b6fn4q24x6s@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"off\">As he embarks on a new chapter, Pedersen is also working with Canadian filmmaker Mike Douglas to wrap up \u201cThe Impossible Journey,\u201d a documentary on the project, and plans to write a book about the journey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00253b6f38mshspz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"off\">Looking ahead, he hopes to channel his experiences into speaking engagements \u2013 a skill he\u2019s honed over the past 10 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00263b6f1ih8aql9@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"off\">\u201cIt dawned on me that I wasn\u2019t comfortable going on the stage when I left home. But now, I can walk on a stage in front of 300 people smiling,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph-primary-core-light\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/clkt0otmm00273b6fbg9ppxdw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-analytics-observe=\"off\">\u201cThe journey helped me identify my strengths \u2013 and engaging with people is one of them. Hopefully, through speaking engagements, I can make a living by out of making people laugh, learn, and inspiring them to never give up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article__copyright\" data-editable=\"copyright\" data-reorderable=\"copyright\"><strong>Source: CNN<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><\/main><\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<h1><strong>Man who visited every country without flying has finally returned home &#8211; CNN<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Imagine traveling the world without ever setting foot on a plane. That&#8217;s exactly what one adventurous soul accomplished, visiting every country on Earth using only land and sea transportation. After years of exploration and adventure, this remarkable man has finally returned home to share his incredible story.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Unique Features:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Visited every country in the world<\/li>\n<li>Traveled without flying<\/li>\n<li>Utilized land and sea transportation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Benefits:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This extraordinary journey showcases the beauty of slow travel and the richness of experiencing different cultures up close. By eschewing air travel, the traveler was able to truly immerse himself in the local way of life, forging deep connections and gaining a deeper understanding of our diverse world.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Value:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This incredible adventure serves as a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination. Through his travels, the man who visited every country without flying has inspired countless individuals to explore the world in a more conscious and sustainable way, challenging traditional notions of travel and pushing boundaries.<\/p>\n<p>Follow along as we delve into the incredible story of this intrepid traveler and discover the world through his eyes, one country at a time.<\/p>\n<p>Have you ever dreamt of traveling the world without ever stepping foot on a plane? Well, one man has made that dream a reality. In a feat that seems straight out of a movie, a world traveler has visited every country in the world without taking a single flight. Yes, you read that right &#8211; <strong>every country in the world<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene beaches of the Maldives, this intrepid traveler has truly seen it all. And now, after years of adventure and exploration, he has finally returned home.<\/p>\n<p>But his journey is far from over. This man&#8217;s story is not just about visiting every country in the world; it&#8217;s about the <strong>spirit of adventure<\/strong> and <strong>determination<\/strong> that drove him to accomplish such a monumental task. It&#8217;s about the <strong>connections<\/strong> he made with people from all walks of life, the <strong>challenges<\/strong> he faced along the way, and the <strong>memories<\/strong> he will carry with him forever.<\/p>\n<p>So, if you&#8217;re feeling inspired to embark on your own journey of a lifetime, be sure to check out this incredible story on CNN. Who knows, maybe you&#8217;ll be the next person to travel the world without flying.<\/p>\n<p>And remember, as this daring traveler has shown us, the sky&#8217;s not the limit &#8211; it&#8217;s just the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>Source: CNN<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Man who visited every country without flying has finally returned home Pedersen set a couple of rules for himself. He\u2019d spend at least 24 hours in each nation and resist&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":128,"featured_media":3041,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/230801125931-02-thor-pedersen-world-traveler.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill","fifu_image_alt":"Man Who Visited Every Country Without Flying Finally Returns Home","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,434,113],"tags":[422,423,424,425,426,427,428,429,430,431,432,433,124,435,436,437,438,439,440],"class_list":["post-99","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-travel","category-world","tag-achievement","tag-adventure","tag-cnn","tag-every-country","tag-exploration","tag-globe-trotter","tag-inspiring-man","tag-journey","tag-man","tag-man-who-visited-every-country","tag-record-breaking","tag-returned-home","tag-sr","tag-travel","tag-unique","tag-visited","tag-wanderlust","tag-without-flying","tag-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/128"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swifteradio.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}