Danish explorer Thor Pedersen has achieved what no human in history has accomplished: visiting all 203 recognized countries entirely without aerial transportation. His extraordinary journey, which consumed nearly a decade of his life, culminated with his recent appearance at the Emirates Literature Festival in Dubai, where he shared the profound experiences that transformed his perspective on humanity and survival.
Pedersen’s initial four-year projection stretched into an epic nine-year, nine-month, and sixteen-day odyssey that tested his physical and psychological limits. The adventurer confronted multiple life-threatening situations, including armed confrontations in Central Africa, battles with cerebral malaria, and maritime disasters that claimed lives. His remarkable resilience was matched only by the unexpected kindness of strangers who offered shelter and assistance throughout his travels.
The global COVID-19 pandemic presented perhaps the most unexpected challenge, stranding Pedersen in Hong Kong for over two years when he was merely nine countries from completion. This forced hiatus, however, led to an unconventional romantic chapter: he married his fiancée Le via online ceremony while separated by continents, followed by two additional weddings to satisfy international legal requirements.
Financed through a combination of personal savings, sponsorships, and crowdfunding, Pedersen maintained an astonishing daily budget of approximately $20 (AED 74) to cover transportation, accommodation, meals, and visa expenses. His approach emphasized slow, ground-level travel that fostered genuine cultural immersion and human connections impossible to achieve through conventional tourism.
During his Dubai visit, Pedersen reflected on the city’s significance in his journey, noting how Emirati authorities facilitated previously impossible visa acquisitions that allowed his mission to continue. Now a father and published author, he seeks to translate his bestselling travel memoir into Arabic to share his unique perspective on Middle Eastern hospitality and cultural richness.