The Impossible Journey

203 countries. A decade of travel. Not a single plane in sight. This is the story of one man's journey to be the first to visit every country in the world without flight . . .

When Thor Pedersen set out on the adventure of a lifetime, he couldn't have imagined the people he'd meet and the experiences he'd encounter along the way. But embarking on this epic voyage took him to the brink of his sanity, wiped his funds and tested the relationships he held dear.

Over the years he faced grave danger, from encounters with drunken armed soldiers to life-threatening illness and even traversing the high seas, with wild waves destabilising the cargo ship he'd hitched a ride on. He'd sleep on the street one night and dine in the homes of billionaires the next. He visited countries stricken with war-zones, and once had to take an 11,919 km detour, revisiting seven countries, traversing Baluchistan in Pakistan escorted by armed guards because he was denied a visa while in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Life becomes complicated without the luxury of flying.

Yet after years of challenges and milestones, Thor achieved something no other human ever has. The Impossible Journey is a triumphant memoir as he invites the world to share in this once in a lifetime adventure. He imparts the lessons, stories and unique perspectives on humanity he learned along the way.

Thor Pedersen is the only person in history to have reached every country in the world completely without flying! The project, named Once Upon A Saga, was initially planned to take just four years but ended up taking nearly a decade due to unforeseen challenges such as visa issues, political unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 23rd 2023, Pedersen reached the final country, Maldives, completing the project and claiming world history. He now lives in Copenhagen with his wife and daughter. Find out more at:

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