Around the world by land and sea

By JOYCE INGIPA
L ike they say, if the passion is there, nothing is unachievable.
This is true for Torbjorn C Pedersen, 40, from Denmark who is on an adventure to visit countries around the world before returning home.
PNG is the 188th country he is visiting. There are 15 more countries left on his list.
What makes his voyage special is that he does all his travelling by sea and on land. He is followed through his Facebok page “Once upon a Saga”.
“I have been travelling for the past six years by ship and I won’t go home until I visit the last country. I have not been home in the past six years. PNG is the 188th country I have visited.”
Pedersen arrived on a Pacific International Lines (PIL) container ship via Surabaya in Indonesia.
“I arrived on a container ship which was at sea for 10 days. I met with immigration officials and here I am.”
His next destination is Solomon Islands on a Swire container ship.
“If I reach the last country without flying, than I will be the first man to travel around the world without flying.”
He often ran into money problems but never gave up his dream.
“People think I’m crazy for doing what I’m doing. I had so many reasons to give up but I never did because if you want something in life you should never ever give up.”
He started his journey in 2013.
“There was a company which sponsored me but when they stopped, I had to be on my own. I write and give motivational talks. I have support from my social media followers worldwide who make donations to my bank account.”
The trip is not only to see the world but for another important reason too.
“I am a goodwill ambassador for the Danish Red Cross. I do it to get more volunteers, more donations and visibility for the work Red Cross is doing around the world.”
He thinks PNG is great.
“Generally there are many bad things in the media about a country. What I do is try to promote the good side of the county. We often forget to talk about the good things too.”
He finds PNG incredibly beautiful with people so friendly despite being told the opposite.
“I wish I could go up to the highlands like many people told me to but I can’t fly and I’m stuck here in Port Moresby. Even though the capital is in an incredibly beautiful location I’m sure it is not the best part of the country.”
He plans to write a book about his world tour when he returns home. He will also tell of his adventure wherever he is invited to speak.
His motto is not to give up if one wants something in life.
“Nothing is impossible if you keep going and never stop.”