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OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi was chosen as the ultimate cease for Torbjørn C. Pedersen (Thor), a Danish traveller and adventurer, who has change into the primary particular person to go to each single nation on the planet fully with out utilizing air journey – and all in a single unbroken journey that has taken 10 years.
Thor’s mission, known as Once Upon A Saga, began in 2013 in Denmark and has taken him via Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific by automobile, bus, practice, boat and even on foot. He arrived in Male, capital of the Maldives within the Indian Ocean, on board a container ship to achieve his ultimate nation of 203, after which he’ll return to Denmark – with out flying, after all.
“Once Upon A Saga has been essentially the most unbelievable journey. Having mentioned that, I’m completely ecstatic that it has now been efficiently concluded – and I’m completely exhausted too!” says Thor. “I got down to go to each nation on the planet with out flying as a result of nobody had ever finished it earlier than. I used to work in logistics and thought it might be a enjoyable approach to make use of my expertise. I like a problem, however I can safely say this has been the most important logistical problem I’ve ever come throughout.”
Thor initially anticipated it to final 4 years, however it ended up taking for much longer attributable to challenges together with visa points, political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, which stored him in Hong Kong for 2 years simply when there have been just a few international locations left to go to. He married his long-term girlfriend Le, who has visited 26 instances through the mission, whereas in Hong Kong – and she or he is within the Maldives to welcome him.
“I’m deeply grateful to all of the individuals who have assisted me in whichever approach all through the journey – my household, pals, strangers who grew to become pals, individuals who contributed and corporations that offered assist, together with OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi for the ultimate cease and most significantly, my spouse Le.”
Thor goals to make use of the mission to advertise peace, understanding, and cultural change between international locations and to showcase the wonder and variety of the world. He has additionally labored to boost consciousness of world points akin to poverty, inequality, and local weather change, together with via work with the worldwide Red Cross.
Once Upon A Saga has been financed via Thor’s personal funds, sponsorship by power corporations Ross Energy and GEOOP and a few crowdfunding. He has been supported by a number of transport corporations together with A.P. Moller-Maersk, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Swire Shipping, Blue Water Shipping, Neptune Shipping Agency, Pacific International Lines, Royal Arctic Line and Columbia Shipmanagement.
