Man travels around the world and visits 203 countries in 3,512 days without stepping on a plane

Traveling and exploring diverse places is one of the joys this world can offer. There are different ways and means of transport that help us do exactly that. However, Torbjørn C. Pedersen, also known as Thor, claims to have accomplished what many would consider unbelievable; he has visited every country in the world without flying.

According to ABC News, the 44-year-old began his journey in October 2013, expecting that it would take four years to accomplish his mission. He arrived by ship in the Maldives on Tuesday, his 203rd and final country, according to the outlet. His journey lasted 3,512 days in total. The adventure, described by the Danish traveler on his blog "Once Upon a Saga," was "intense" and "demanding." Also, he reportedly required ten passports for his journey and spent no more than $20 per day.

In an Instagram post, he wrote, "Home!!! Thanks for your unwavering support, making me the 1st person to visit every country in the world completely without flying! The project was a resounding success when we reached the final country, the Maldives. Today marks its completion as I return to Denmark. More than a hundred people showed up to welcome me home on this historic day."

He continued, "Family, friends, fans, followers. What a welcome!! A live band played 'When the saints come marching home.' I'm overwhelmed by the gifts, hugs, applause and love. Thank you! Heartfelt gratitude to Milan Maersk and the amazing crew for bringing me home and to APM Terminals and Port of Aarhus for facilitating the homecoming. Special thanks to the press and everyone who joined the event today! Thankyou all for this unforgettable experience! Thor."

"A decade is a long time," Pedersen wrote in his blog. "Fortunately, it has also been rewarding. There is a very dark side to the accomplishment as well. Very dark. A side that few are aware of and which most have been shielded from. Over the years, I have opened up for frustrations, disappointments, danger and hardship. However, the full scope is not known to even my close friends or family."

Speaking of the funding, he wrote, "This project is in part financed through personal funding, in part by your generous donations and in part by Ross DK and Geoop. Information relating to making donations to the Danish Red Cross can be found on their webpage. In 2013, I was made Goodwill Ambassador of the Danish Red Cross and have as of today visited and brought attention to the movement in 185+ countries."

Pedersen stated that a Canadian filmmaker, whom he refers to as "a stranger turned friend," is working on a documentary titled "Once Upon A Saga" that will chronicle his adventure. "It has been his job to learn everything he possibly could about the accomplishment," Pedersen wrote. "And he has done that job well. He has tens of hours of interview material with me. He has sifted through all of my videos and all of my photos. He follows the Saga's social media closely and he has been to Denmark, where he interviewed friends and family."

Pedersen became stranded in Hong Kong in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 epidemic, reports PEOPLE. However, Pedersen's persistence and determination kept him going and he could not "remember a country I've gotten to where I did not receive some sort of kindness or support from people. In a way, this has just been a huge sociological experiment and a success at that."