Traveling across the world without flying… 307,000 km covered and 194 countries visited with a budget of only 20$ per day… For most of us, that could imply a lot of imagination coupled with a sense of surrealism. However, Torbjørn C. Pedersen, known as Thor, has been able to prove to the world that traveling across the world doesn’t really require a lot of money nor a flight ticket.
Born in Denmark of Scandinavian parents, Thor was soon after lifted up and carried to North America before returning home to Denmark years later, where he finished his school studies and his military service before finding his feet within shipping and logistics in the private sector. At the end of the year 2009, he became an independent businessman and, after years of working on other people’s projects, he managed to create his own which he named: “Once Upon A Saga”.
From Hong-Kong where he is currently stuck because of the Covid19, Thor is waiting impatiently to be able to pursue his journey. Meanwhile, you will find below what he has to tell us about this whole adventure…
Thor, could you tell us please more about yourself and about the “Once upon a Saga” project you have launched?
My name is Torbjørn C. Pedersen, which is a terrible traveller’s name. So you can just call me Thor. I had already visited roughly every fourth country in the World before this project saw its first day – but now the time has come to go all in. However starting from zero and finishing with all!
It took about ten months to plan out the Saga before I left Denmark on October 10th 2013 at 10:10am (10/10; 10:10). The idea for the project came after discovering that nobody has been to every country in the world completely without flying. I have always been intrigued by adventure and adventurers. The global market had slowed down in 2013 and I found the timing appropriate for such an initiative. The more I planned the more invested I got.
What is the purpose of this project?
There are, actually, several purposes:
- To mark a turning point in history by becoming the first human being to reach every country without flying.
- To inspire people to set goals and reach them, motivating them never to give up.
- To make a global promotion of the Red Cross Red Crescent’s humanitarian work.
- To promote the world positively and show others that people are just people.
- To live and to learn. To make new friends and grow as a person.
- To educate people about culture, history, geography and other interesting facts.
How do you manage traveling without flying?
The majority of the Saga has been conducted by using public transportation. Buses and trains have been the most common form. Wherever there are people there will be transportation. I have crossed water on anything that floats. In the Pacific and across the Atlantic I was helped by shipping companies and offered passage on board container ships. So far the Saga has covered more than 307,000km and still have far to go.
What have been the main obstacles you had to deal with? Any unforeseen events/circumstances/etc.?
Obstacles usually come in the form of bureaucracy, logistics or mental fatigue. Today all three are at play. There is nowhere I can go due to the pandemic, I must extend my visa as I have been in Hong Kong for nearly three months and this project is long overdue with me being mentally exhausted and wishing that I could soon go home. I have had cerebral malaria, I lost financial sponsorship, my grandmother died, my girlfriend and I had difficulties maintaining a long distance relationship, I was the subject of extreme racism, I couldn’t obtain certain visas, I couldn’t pass certain checkpoints, I was blocked at some borders, I couldn’t get permission to board ships, I wasn’t permitted to leave some ships….lots of obstacles!!!
What are the places you have already visited? What are the “pending” countries?
I have been nearly everywhere. So far we have reached 194 of the targeted 203 countries. The remaining nine are Palau, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives (before returning home). The final nine are estimated to take ten months and they are to be reached once the world goes back to normal.
What about the financial part of this project?
About 40% is funded by the financial partner: Ross DK. Ross DK is a well management company with a keen interest in developing a market for geothermal energy in and around Denmark. Another 30% is self-funded and I have had to take out two loans. The rest is funded by generous donations from followers, friends, family and fans. The daily budget is $20 USD which is an average that covers accommodation, transportation, meals and visas.
You are now in Hong-Kong, since several days, after having planned to stay in each country for a maximum of 24 hours. How is this changing your trip’s schedule?
There is no maximum for a stay in a country. There is a minimum requirement to stay 24 hours on a land before it can be counted as a visit. The longest stay for me was in Lebanon, where I had to live for 102 days due to visa issues for Syria. The average time per country is about 11.5 days. It is mentally challenging to stay this long in Hong Kong without having any control of when the project can move forward. Also there can be visa issues if I overstay. Longer stays mean for me more sacrifices. I do not know how much time I am willing to give this project. I want to be able to spend more time with my friends, my family and my fiancée. I want to start my own family before it is too late. I want to play with my children before I am too old and I want my children to see and to know their grandparents.
Can you tell us about your experience in Hong-Kong? What do you think about the actual crisis related to the Covid-19?
I think the world is very lucky that COVID-19 is as mild as it is. If it had been more deadly or more widespread, then we would have been in serious trouble. Hong Kong has managed the outbreak very well. The pandemic was examined seriously in early January and both government and citizens have acted accordingly. As a result Hong Kong with its 7,5 million people has had “only” 1,030 confirmed cases and four deaths.
What have you learned from your stay in Hong-Kong? And from this whole journey?
From this visit to Hong Kong, I have discovered that the city is 75% nature and less than 25% urban. From the whole journey, I have learned that the world is quite large, that people around the world are very similar in many ways, that media generally misrepresents the political and social situation of different countries, that this world is not as scary and dangerous as we are often lead to believe.
When is your journey going to take an end? In which country?
It will end when we reach the last country or if I quit. Whatever comes first? Nobody can say what will happen next as it is dictated by COVID-19. However the Saga may end in mid-2021 and the final country will likely be the Maldives because of logistics.
How’s going to be your life after that? Any projects for the future?
I will sleep for one month!! When I wake up I will have a shower and shave. If I’m not already married to my fiancée then we will take care of that and start a family. Obviously I will see all my friends and family as soon as possible… I plan to write at least one book and pursue my life as a motivational speaker. Perhaps I will try to reach the South and North Pole. I would like to go around the world in less than 80 days without flying. I would like to reach the peak of the seven summits. Let’s see what my wife says 😉
To follow Thor’s journey: www.onceuponasaga.dk
Buzzing News 