Around The World In Three Days: UAE Woman Sets Record Travelling 7 Continents

Solo traveller Dr. Khawla AlRomaithi is the world's first woman to set a record for travelling all seven continents in the least amount of time. As per the official site of the Guinness World Records (GWR), she achieved this feat in just 3 days,14 hours, 46 minutes, and 48 seconds. AlRomaithi’s record was announced on the occasion of Guinness World Records Day. Her epic journey was perfectly in sync with this year’s theme: ‘Discover Your World’.

Around The World In Three Days

The record was previously held by US-based Kasey Stewart and Julie Berry, who completed the round-the-world trip in 3 days, 20 hours, 4 minutes and 19 seconds.Notably, AlRomaithi completed her journey on 13 February 2020, days before the coronavirus pandemic made extensive travel a distant dream. A resident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), AlRomaithi undertook the journey to 208 countries and dependent territories to learn about other cultures and traditions as well as to prove that “Emirati people, just like their country, are capable of achieving extraordinary record-breaking milestones." The GWR site features many pictures of a smiling AlRomaithi, sporting a hijab and dressed to the nines, posing in front of famous world landmarks.

Her momentous achievement came with its fair share of obstacles. “It was a difficult journey; the attempt demanded a lot of patience especially in airports as well as having to deal with constant plane rides," AlRomaithi recalled. However, given the right support system, women can achieve almost anything. AlRomaithi, too, credited her record to her supportive friends and family who spurred her on.

Also Read: TravelHer: How I Discovered Myself, Travelling Solo Around The Globe

Dr. Khawla AlRomaithi: “Nothing Is Impossible!”

Apart from Dr. Khawla AlRomaithi, many other Emirati women have overcome religious and gender-based obstacles to set records of their own. Footballer Areej Al Hamadi recently broke the record for the most football ‘hotstepping’ in one minute. Last year, a group of women from the UAE set the record for knitting the world’s largest blanket. Read more about it here.

Dedicating her record to her home country and society, AlRomaithi expressed hope of inspiring people the world over. Underlining the adage of ‘when there’s a will, there’s a way’, the young traveller encouraged everyone “to find a way to accomplish their goals in life.”

Picture Credits: guinnessworldrecords.com

Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV