Back in the day, the Vikings were travelling around the world, with a curiosity of what was to find in other countries far away from their Nordic homeland. And let’s be honest, they were not always very nice. Nowadays, the Danes are still very interested in what is out there, but in a more friendly, respectful way. And in this episode, I’m joined by an amazing group of travellers with ties to Denmark.
Mette Ehlers Mikkelsen
Mette is an experienced adventurer, one country away from having visited all 193 UN Nations. She has a passion for exploring the world’s most remote corners with her kids and not just normal family destinations.
Travel and working as diplomat and with international business always went well hand in hand. But her last country is North Korea, so when her employer wouldn’t let her go there, she has decided to quit an otherwise amazing job and continue to pursue her dream of being the first Danish woman to visit every country.
Thor Pedersen
Thor is the first person in the world to visit every country in the world without flying in one unbroken journey, completing this remarkable trip over almost a decade.
After he completed the quest, his focus is on family, friends, new adventures, speaking engagements, his first book and later this year (2025) a documentary movie called “The Impossible Journey.”
His full name is Torbjørn C. Gjerum-Pedersen, but most people know him as Thor from “Once Upon a Saga.”
Peter Fenger
Peter is an avid traveller and is full of great stories and tips from his adventures. He was born in what is now Zimbabwe, grew up in Denmark, spent most of his adult life in Florida, and even became a US citizen. When he retired, he set up base in Lisbon and started travelling so much that not even I could keep up with him.
So far, he’s been to 96 UN Nations, but with the pace he’s moving, he’ll probably pass my 127 pretty soon.
Cathrine Krogh
Cathrine, a fearless globetrotter, has a unique approach to making travel both meaningful and impactful.
She’s always been curious to visit other cultures, but her real travel lust started when she became a member of the Danish Travellers Club. At this point, she’s been to 164 countries, and 90% of the time, she travels independently, often as a solo traveller.
Per Besson
And finally, the “half-Dane” Per Besson. He grew up in Oregon, USA, with a Danish mother and an American father. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a concentration in the Soviet Union/Eastern Europe. He fluently speaks Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Danish, Chinese, and a fair bit of Russian. When I was travelling with him in Ukraine in October 2023, I swear I overheard him in a conversation in Ukrainian. At least enough to impress me. He made a point of learning at least a few words from the language of every single country he visited until he reached country number 193 – Colombia in 2019.
He agreed to be my co-host for this episode and will contribute his unique perspective and passion for travel as we explore their stories.
So, counting myself, we’re five and a half Dane. It’s almost as if the Vikings are still conquering the world.
My name is Palle Bo, and this is The Radio Vagabond… “A Roundtable Chat with Some of Denmark’s Top Travelers”.
Vagabond Hotline
We’re going to get back to the conversation with the Danes in a few minutes, and when we do, Peter will tell us a crazy story of his struggles to get his Danish passport back – all because he was born in what is now Zimbabwe and since it was called Rhodesia back then, the Danish authorities asked him to travel down to southern Africa, and see if he could find the original birth certificate, and have them change it to say Zimbabwe. You won’t believe what happened.
But now, we’re switching gears, because a few weeks ago, I asked you to share your own stories of kindness while traveling. And wow, some of these messages are truly heart-warming. From random acts of generosity to complete strangers going out of their way to help, these are the moments that remind us that the world is full of good people.
Maya from Cape Town, South Africa
“I was backpacking through Japan when I lost my wallet on a crowded train in Tokyo. I had no cash, no cards – nothing. Just as I was starting to panic, an older woman who had been sitting across from me quietly walked over, handed me a small envelope, and bowed. Inside was the equivalent of about 50 dollars in yen, just enough to get me through the next day. I tried to refuse, but she just smiled and said in broken English, ‘For YOU, traveler.’ I still carry that empty envelope in my journal as a reminder of her kindness.”
Liam from Dublin, Ireland
“Hi Palle. I have a story of kindness: On my first solo trip, I was wandering through a tiny town in Colombia when it suddenly started pouring rain. I ducked into a small shop, and the owner motioned for me to come inside. She handed me a steaming cup of hot chocolate and insisted I sit with her family until the storm passed. We ended up chatting through hand gestures and laughter for nearly an hour. When I finally got up to pay for the drink, she just waved her hand and said, ‘Amigo, welcome.’ That moment made me feel at home in a place I’d never been before.”
Rachel Thompson – Denver, USA
”I was stranded at a crowded bus station in Istanbul just as the sun was setting. I had been travelling all day, exhausted, carrying my heavy backpack, and trying to figure out how to get to my hostel. But then – my phone died. No map, no translation app, no way to navigate the maze of unfamiliar streets.
I must have looked completely lost because a young man, probably in his early twenties, approached me with a curious expression. In hesitant English, he asked, “You need help?” Relieved, I showed him the address of my hostel on a crumpled piece of paper. He studied it for a moment, then nodded and gestured for me to follow him. I assumed he was just pointing me in the right direction, but instead, he walked with me. For the next 20 minutes, we weaved through the bustling streets, past market stalls and glowing shop signs. Every now and then, he stopped to double-check a street name or ask a shopkeeper if we were heading the right way. We didn’t talk much – his English was limited, and my Turkish was non-existent – but there was something comforting about the quiet determination in his help.
Finally, we reached my hostel. I turned to thank him, fumbling in my pocket for some money as a small token of appreciation. But when I held it out, he shook his head with a smile. “Guests are a gift in my country,” he simply said. And just like that, he waved and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. That small act of kindness from a stranger in a foreign land stayed with me – proof that sometimes, the most unexpected moments of generosity are the ones that redefine how we see the world.”
Thanks for Sharing
You know, one of the things I love most about traveling is the people I meet along the way.
Like how I made friends with the local butcher in the small town Tiznit in the southern part of Morocco. When I got sick with pneumonia, and needed to go to the hospital, he closed his shop and went with me to help translate. He even insisted on paying for my hospital bill even though I tried to explain that I had travel insurance that would cover it. Or the time I was in Saudi Arabia and a random stranger paid for my shopping because they didn’t accept Master Card or Visa. Both of these stories are described in previous episodes.
And things like this happens to me all over the world. Strangers who surprise me with unexpected kindness – small moments that stick with you long after the trip is over.
What’s your favourite story about surprising kindness from your travels? Please let me know and I’ll share it in a future episode!
NEXT: Lost-in-Translation
In the next Vagabond Hotline, I’m looking for funny “Lost-in-Translation Moments”. Because language barriers can lead to some of the funniest, most embarrassing, or just plain confusing moments. Like the time I thought I was ordering a small sandwich in Japan, but thanks to a mix-up, I somehow ended up with a family-sized feast. Or that time I confidently used a phrase I’d learned, only to find out it meant something very different.
Have you ever had a moment where a simple translation mistake led to a hilarious or awkward situation? Maybe you accidentally insulted someone, ordered something completely different, or just stood there confused while locals laughed?
Share them with me by going to theradiovagabond.com/contact or send me a DM on Instagram @radiovagabond.
Next Interview Episode
During my time at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, I had the chance to chat with some truly inspiring travelers. From exploring hidden corners of the world to taking on personal challenges, their stories are as varied as they are fascinating. You can see more about the festival by going to ExtraordinaryTravelFest.com.
In the next interview episode of The Radio Vagabond, we’re switching gears and diving into the world of unconventional travel with three very special tour operators.
David Van Driessche, who takes travelers deep into the tribal cultures of Papua New Guinea, Fadi Assi, who is redefining tourism in Syria, and Baba Ahmed El Bekay, who introduces adventurous souls to the hidden wonders of Mauritania.
And let’s be honest; these are not your typical tourist destinations, and these guides are not your average tour operators.
So, make sure to follow The Radio Vagabond and get ready for fascinating stories, passionate discussions, and insights into some of the world’s most remarkable destinations, in the next interview episode from ETF… very soon.
My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you.
SPONSOR
A special thank you to my sponsor, Hotels25.com, who always provide me with the best, most affordable accommodation wherever I am in the world.
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