Trailblazing the globe

Kuwait Times

6 days ago

Maryam Sultan Abdullah's solo journey across 197 nations breaks barriers, inspires women and proves the world is smaller — and more connected — than we think
Her journey began in 2006, when she started traveling with different groups of friends, mainly to Europe and North Africa. 'In 2012, I decided to start traveling solo due to the difficulty of coordinating plans with friends. Traveling solo helped me better organize my trips, meet locals and other fellow solo travelers, and focus more on my surroundings,' she explained.
'I began with easier countries that had more tourist attractions, such as those in Europe and parts of Asia. Over time, I developed stronger skills in planning, documenting cultures and nature, communicating with locals and navigating through towns.'
As her experience grew, Maryam began traveling to more remote and challenging destinations, including war zones, areas with epidemics and isolated regions. 'Documenting became the main part of my journey. I wanted to share these moments with people on social media — moments that reflect the lives, cultures, and natural beauty I encountered.'
Holding a Kuwaiti passport presented challenges, especially with visa approvals, but Maryam persisted. 'In June 2024, I visited my final UN-recognized country, Uruguay, making me the first Arab woman to officially visit every country in the world. Now that I've reached all 197 countries, I've set my sights on visiting the world's territories.'
Her main motivation for traveling has always been learning about people's lives, behaviors and cultures. 'Meeting locals and fellow solo travelers was what kept me going. I never felt like quitting, not even once, until I was verified as the first Arab woman to travel to every country by June 2024.'
One of Maryam's most memorable experiences came with an unexpected twist of fate. 'We often see the world as a huge place with a massive population, assuming we'll never cross paths with strangers again,' she said. 'In 2016, I took a random photo of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Two men were sitting on the steps, and I posted the edited photo online. Two years later, a stranger messaged me on Instagram claiming he was one of the men in the photo. I checked his account and confirmed it was him. I asked if I could continue using the image, and he agreed and said he loved it. That experience reminded me how small and connected our world really is, especially through social media.'
Before the bungee jump
Burkina Faso
During the jump.
Among her most dangerous adventures was bungee jumping over an active volcano in Chile. 'It took the organizing company two years to prepare for the jump. They monitored magma levels and dust density to ensure it was safe. The volcano was still active and could erupt at any moment.'
The process involved careful planning and personal preparation. 'The company checked our weight, health and injury history. We were lined up according to weight — from heaviest to lightest — and I was the last to jump. That was frustrating because I kept thinking about what might go wrong due to previous jumps. But I trusted the company; they had a strong track record in extreme sports.'
Maryam recalled the mental and emotional toll leading up to the jump. 'I hadn't slept well for weeks. When we were finally in the helicopter, and everything was set, the aircraft suddenly reversed. I couldn't hear what the team was discussing. Apparently, the magma levels had changed and the dust was getting thicker, increasing the danger. Eventually, the helicopter repositioned, and the team began the countdown.'
Mali
Maryam Sultan with her passports
North Korea
She knew it was a now-or-never moment. 'I jumped — regardless of the dust. I felt the heat as I came within 90 meters of the magma. It was the most incredible experience of my life. One I'll never forget, and a story I proudly share as an adventurous Kuwaiti woman.'
Maryam's travels taught her countless life lessons. 'The first was tolerance. People come from different backgrounds, and what's normal in one culture may be offensive in another. Even within the same country, people are different.' She also learned the importance of patience. 'Some countries have limited access to technology or global exposure. These cultures operate at a different pace, and it's important not to rush or pressure them.'
'Lastly, I learned that life goes on, no matter your circumstances. We only get one life — don't waste it on regret or pain.' She encourages others to travel with an open mind. 'Travel teaches you patience. You'll face incidents and accidents — that's part of life. What matters is how you deal with them. Enjoy your journey. Travel as much as you can. Your memories will become treasures no one can take from you.'