Man Who Visited Every Country Without Flying Reveals the Worst Spot – And It Might Surprise You 🌍🚢
Traveling the world is a dream for many, but doing it without ever flying? That’s a challenge only a few dare to take on. One man, Torbjørn “Thor” Pedersen, made headlines for exactly that — visiting every single country in the world without setting foot on a plane. His journey took over 10 years, thousands of boat rides, buses, trains, and a few risky adventures along the way.
But what shocked people most? When asked about the worst place he visited, his answer wasn’t what most would expect.
So, What Was the Worst Country?
After visiting 203 nations on foot, sea, and rail, Thor named Equatorial Guinea as one of his most frustrating and difficult stops. The reason? Extreme bureaucracy, lack of hospitality, and endless red tape.
He claimed that the locals weren’t particularly welcoming, and entering the country without flying proved nearly impossible due to tight border control and lack of accessible transport. In fact, he spent months trying to gain access by ship and had to reroute his journey several times just for that one stop.
What Made It So Bad? 😬
- Harsh visa rules that changed without warning
- Border officials unwilling to cooperate
- Limited public infrastructure, especially for non-flyers
- A sense of being deliberately blocked or stalled
He emphasized that it wasn’t about the people being “bad” — but the system was designed to keep outsiders out, especially those not coming through airports.
The Struggles of No-Flight Travel ✈️🚫
Thor’s rules were strict:
- No flying, not even once.
- Stay at least 24 hours in each country.
- Use public transport whenever possible.
- No going home until it was done.
This meant crossing oceans by cargo ships, spending weeks on freighters, and getting stuck in places like Syria, Yemen, and North Korea due to security and travel restrictions.
What Was the Best Country?
Ironically, some of the poorest or least-known countries ended up being the most heartwarming. Thor highlighted Iran, Bangladesh, and Papua New Guinea as places where people showed him incredible hospitality, offering meals, shelter, and friendship without hesitation.
Final Thoughts 🧭
Thor’s 10-year journey reminds us that travel isn’t just about beautiful views — it’s also about patience, diplomacy, and courage. His worst destination wasn’t necessarily dangerous — just deeply frustrating and closed-off.
So if you’re planning to see the world, maybe take a plane… and maybe skip Equatorial Guinea — unless you’re ready for a real adventure!
