By Nico Prins
Since we first discovered that the world was round, people have been attempting to circumnavigate the globe. Magellan was the first person to succeed. The US Air Force were the first to fly around the world. With the obvious prizes for circumnavigation already taken, the only two options left for people looking for a claim to fame are the fastest circumnavigation and the strangest forms of transportation. Here is a list of some of the strangest.
Image Source: Associated French Press
Run Around the World
It took Robert Garside almost five and a half years to run around the world, covering an average of 40 miles a day. His first two attempts had to be called off, because of the conflict in Afghanistan, making it unlikely that anyone will be trying to follow in his footsteps anytime soon.
Image Source: Associated French Press
Walk Around the World
People do strange things when they hit a mid-life crisis. Jean Béliveau for example decided on his 45th birthday to walk around the world. The journey took a total of 11 years and along the way he stayed with 1,600 families.
Image Source: Women in Museum
Drive Around the World
Carl Axel Söderström and Clärenore Stinnes were the first people to drive around the world. They set off from Germany on 25 May 1927 and returned in June 1929, just in time for the start of World War 2. The tale has a romantic twist though, because shortly after their return Clärenore and Carl got married and moved to Sweden.
Penny Farthing
Cycle Around the World
It didn’t take long after the invention of the bicycle for someone to decide they should cycle around the world; his name was Thomas Stevens and the date was 1884. It took a little more than two years to complete the journey, which is the same time it took for the Carl and Clärenmore to drive around the world…
Image Source: Wikimedia
Circumnavigating the World Using Human Power
It took more than 13 years for Jason Lewis to circumnavigate the world using just human power and he had plenty of adventures along the way. During the journey he was arrested as a spy and had both of his legs broken by a drunk driver. However, despite the setbacks, he arrived back in England in one piece.
Image Source: Reuters
Hot Air Balloon
Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones were the first to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon. The trip took just 19 days, but at 11,000 meters there was not much to see. Worse than the lack of view, were the freezing temperatures that often dropped below zero in the cabin.