Thor Pedersen … left home in October of 2013 to travel the world without taking any flights

Thor has traveled to 173 countries

On today’s episode, I welcome back Thor Pedersen to Counting Countries. Thor is on a mission to see every country in the world with several caveats; no airplane flights, at least 24 hours in every country, and will not return home until the mission is finished.

Before I introduce Thor, I am reminding you that Counting Countries is now partnered with Patreon. Patreon is a platform that allows patrons, that’s you, to support creators, and that is me creating Counting Countries. I have been extremely fortunate to be be able to create this podcast and be able to meet so many interesting and compelling travelers, but I have also spent a tremendous amount of time and some money creating this podcast. So for example, some benefits are extended interviews. Some Patrons are able to listen to an exclusive additional 20 minute interview with last month’s guest, Petro. Or a five minute update from Fabio Cao, from former guest, who has finished every country in the world.

And a reminder, Counting Countries is offering its first group tour to Bhutan on November 7th. This is a great agenda which I consulted on and helped create. I have been to Bhutan three times and looking forward to returning for a fourth time. Besides seeing amazing things like Tiger’s Nest and the Punakha Dzong, I have scheduled this trip to coincide with two festivals. I have also negotiated a daily $25 discount from the mandated government minimums. Please go to GlobalGaz.com to see more information as well as disclosures.

Thor appeared on Counting Countries when he was in country 115 in the Seychelles in the summer of 2016. His visit to Thailand, country 173, coincided with me being in Bangkok, and I took the opportunity to sit down with him to get updated on his saga. During this conversation, Thor shares the trials and tribulations of being on the road for nearly six years. He shares the challenges of attaining visas on the road, the generosity of strangers, and why he sometimes appears in photos without his bushy beard.

I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify and write a review, hopefully a positive one.

But for now, here’s my conversation with Thor, as we sat together in the Counting Countries studio in Bangkok. Please listen in and enjoy.

Thank you to my Patrons …. Bisa Myles and Ryan Gazder.

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Check out our friend: Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon. And watch my full length documentary in Cambodia when I traveled with Large Minority.

More about Thor Pedersen:

Born in: The Kingdom of Denmark, in the high north of Europe
Passports from: Denmark
Favorite travel book: GRUK – about travel, by Piet Hein
Favorite travel film: Into The Wild
Favorite travel site: Google Maps
Must carry: Pen, scarf, passport, smartphone, credit card
Favorite food: A good pasta dish or: fresh fish and manioc near the sea in Central Africa (eaten with my hands and not with cutlery)
Favorite drink: Milk (from Denmark)
Favorite Airline: Haven’t flown for years. Figure they are all the same more or less?
Favorite Hotel: I’ve been thinking hard. I’m not sure I have one? But Best Western Plus: Lusaka Grand Hotel in Zambia if you push me. I had free accommodation and the staff was great! 🙂 I like a few lodges and hostels…hotels haven’t been a big part of this journey.
Website: www.onceuponasaga.dk/
Facebook: Once–Upon-a-Saga-320287321444752/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/onceuponasaga/

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About Counting Countries

Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who’ve spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space.

Theme music for this podcast is Demeter’s Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi.

About GlobalGaz

Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.

Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com

How Many Countries Are There?

Well… that depends on who you ask!

The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
The Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
The Most Traveled Person states that there are 891 unique parts of the world.
The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 regions.
SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way.