At 34, Torbjørn Pedersen embarked on a seemingly impossible journey that would take 10 years – and involve cerebral malaria and being held up at gunpoint. He reflects on the highs, the lows and the joy of getting married en route.
Pedersen has always dreamed of being a famous adventurer. After his father sent him an article about people who had travelled to every country, he realised no one had done so without flying in one unbroken trip. He spent 10 months planning, setting a $20 daily budget funded by savings, donations and sponsorship, and acting as a goodwill ambassador for the Danish Red Cross.
His rules: at least 24 hours in each country, no visits home, and absolutely no flying. He aimed to visit 203 territories, including UN member states plus Kosovo and Taiwan. The journey was expected to take four years but stretched to a decade.
Pedersen’s background in shipping and logistics, plus his experience as a UN peacekeeper and working in challenging environments like Libya, prepared him for the epic undertaking. His mother was supportive, but his father worried he was throwing away his career.
Despite the challenges, Pedersen completed the journey, setting a world record and proving that great adventures are still possible.
