4
The Logistics of the Long Haul: Borders, Buses, and Boats 10:59 Lena: Miles, let’s talk about the "no flying" rule. Thor Pedersen did it, and it sounds like a logistical nightmare. If we’re trying to visit *every* country on a budget, why would we choose the hardest possible way to travel?
11:13 Miles: It’s a fair question. For Thor, it was about the challenge—the "Once Upon a Saga" mission. But for a budget traveler, ground and sea travel can actually be a massive money-saver if you do it right. Think about it: a flight is just a flight. But a night bus from Prague to Krakow is a ticket *and* a hotel room for the night.
11:32 Lena: Ah, the "transport-as-accommodation" hack. I’ve heard of that. You wake up in a new country and you didn't pay for a bed.
1:07 Miles: Exactly. And for the big oceans, Thor used container ships. Now, this isn't like a cruise. You’re often the only passenger. You have to build relationships with shipping companies, convince them that your project is historic, and sometimes they’ll let you board for free or a very low cost in exchange for documenting the experience.
11:57 Lena: That sounds like a lot of "asking" again. "If you don't ask, you don't get."
2:16 Miles: Precisely. But even if you’re not doing the "no-fly" challenge, the Norwegian passport makes land borders so much easier. In Europe, the Schengen Area means you don't even stop. In South America, you can cross from Colombia to Ecuador to Peru with just a stamp. The real logistics struggle comes in Africa and Central Asia, where the "visa-on-arrival" rules can change overnight.
12:26 Lena: Henrik Jeppesen mentioned that research pays off here. He suggested that instead of applying for a visa in your home country, you might get it much easier at an embassy in a neighboring country.
12:37 Miles: That is a huge tip. He found that getting a visa for certain African nations was a nightmare in Europe, but in Rabat, Morocco, he could get five or six of them in a single week with no requirements other than a few photos and a fee. If you’re trying to visit every country, you have to think like a diplomat. You’re constantly looking for the "easiest" embassy.
12:57 Lena: And what about the "un-visitable" places? The ones with no public transport or where it’s notoriously dangerous?
13:05 Miles: Henrik used hitchhiking in nearly a hundred countries. He’s been in over a thousand cars. On smaller islands or in rural areas, hitchhiking isn't just a way to save money—it’s often the *only* way to get around. He even managed to get a ride to the airport in Munich by just talking to people on the street. It’s about breaking down that barrier of fear.
13:25 Lena: I imagine you also have to be very careful with your gear. If you're traveling light to save on bus fees, what are you actually carrying?
13:33 Miles: Travel light or die, basically. If you have a massive suitcase, you’re paying extra on every bus and you’re a target for every scammer. Henrik recommends a minimalist setup—a light laptop like a Microsoft Surface Go, a few clothes you can wash in a sink, and a smartphone with a great camera. No separate cameras, no extra chargers. If it doesn't fit in a small backpack, you don't need it.
13:56 Lena: It’s a very "uncluttered" way to live. But it also means your phone is your lifeline. If you lose that, you lose your maps, your bank, your translator, and your "portable ATM."
14:09 Miles: That’s why the "Banking" step is so critical. You cannot rely on a traditional Norwegian bank with high international fees. You need a multi-currency account like Wise or Revolut. These let you hold twenty different currencies at once and get the "real" exchange rate. Without that, you’re losing three to five percent of your money every time you cross a border. Over two hundred countries, that’s thousands of dollars literally flushed down the toilet.
14:37 Lena: So, the logistics aren't just about the "how" of moving, but the "how" of staying connected and solvent. It sounds like you’re a one-person startup, and your product is your own movement across the globe.
14:49 Miles: That’s a perfect analogy. And just like a startup, you’re going to hit "pivots." You’re going to get stuck in a country for two years because of a pandemic, or you’re going to get cerebral malaria like Thor did in Africa. The question is: how do you maintain the mental stamina to keep going when the "holiday" feeling wears off?