KUWAIT CITY, May 31: A growing number of Kuwaiti men and women are transforming a personal passion for travel into a collective phenomenon, driven by a love of discovery, exploration, and cultural understanding. No longer limited to individual pursuits, this movement has seen Kuwaiti travelers reach the farthest corners of the world, each chronicling their unique journeys filled with challenges and enriching experiences.

In exclusive interviews with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), several Kuwaiti travelers shared stories of their adventures, offering insight into the expanding scope of this passion.

Bader Al-Shuaib: The world’s corners and the poles

Kuwaiti traveler Bader Al-Shuaib stands out as one of just 20 people worldwide who have visited every country and reached both the North and South Poles. Speaking to KUNA, Al-Shuaib revealed that his feat is recognized by Nomadmania, a platform for global travelers with more than 50,000 members.

His journey began in 2020 with a visit to Eritrea and spanned five years of extensive travel, frequently returning to Kuwait in between. His odyssey concluded in April with a trip to North Korea—his final destination, still largely closed to tourists since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al-Shuaib reached the South Pole in early 2022 and later made it to the North Pole in July 2024 aboard a Russian icebreaker. "I became the first Kuwaiti to reach both poles and one of the first Arabs to achieve this accomplishment," he said.

He recounted highlights of his travels, including summiting Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; Mount Damavand in Iran; Mount Pico de Orizaba in Mexico; and Mount Roraima, located at the junction of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.

His adventures extended to wildlife encounters such as swimming with whales, sharks, and dolphins, and feeding wild hyenas in Africa. He also visited the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and some of the planet’s most famous waterfalls: Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe), Iguazu Falls (Brazil/Argentina), Niagara Falls (U.S./Canada), and Angel Falls in Venezuela—the tallest in the world.

"I discovered, experienced, and learned from African, Latin American, and Indian cultures," Al-Shuaib said, emphasizing how travel broadened his worldview. He affirmed his ongoing passion for travel and announced plans to organize group expeditions for fellow enthusiasts. His ultimate dream: to travel to outer space and see Earth from the International Space Station.

Idris Boumerzouq: Travel on two wheels

Fellow traveler Idris Boumerzouq shared his journey, which began with motorcycle trips around the Gulf region alongside his wife. Their ambitions grew, culminating in a European tour across 40 countries over eight months.

"This kind of travel demands physical resilience, in addition to managing financial and psychological pressures," he explained. Boumerzouq emphasized that pursuing such a path requires sacrifices in terms of work and social life, but the rewards in personal growth are invaluable.

Their notable achievement includes reaching northern Norway—often referred to as "the last point in the world"—where they proudly raised the Kuwaiti flag. "This filled us with pride and proved the potential of Kuwaiti women to overcome life’s challenges," he noted.

Looking ahead, the couple plans to travel to Turkey and Spain, before heading to South America, with stops in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and finally Ushuaia in Argentina—the southernmost city in the world. They encouraged Kuwaiti youth to embrace the joys and lessons of travel, while proudly representing Kuwait on a global stage.

Abdulmohsen Al-Baghli: A motorcycle ambassador

For Abdulmohsen Al-Baghli, travel has been a 14-year journey across more than 40 countries on his motorcycle, representing Kuwait through his personal achievements.

“I became the first Arab traveler and cyclist to reach the farthest parts of Europe, including the Cliff of Moher in Ireland in 2013,” he told KUNA. He also traversed Kazakhstan by bike in 2016, reaching a government building in Astana donated by Kuwait and home to a scaled model of the Kuwait Towers.

Al-Baghli’s milestones include becoming the first Arab cyclist to reach the Arctic in Russia, the first to reach the Genghis Khan Monument in Mongolia, and the first to ride over 3,000 kilometers across Pakistan. One highlight was raising the Kuwaiti flag at the Great Wall of China.

He hopes his experience will inspire young Kuwaitis to explore the world, gain new perspectives, and find peace and personal growth through travel.

Maryam Sultan: A trailblazing woman in global travel

Traveler Maryam Sultan proudly declared herself “the first Arab woman to visit all countries of the world”—a testament, she said, to the strength and determination of Kuwaiti women.

Sultan completed her global journey last June with a visit to Uruguay, the last United Nations-recognized country on her list, bringing her total to 197 nations. Her first solo trip was in 2012 to Brazil, though she began traveling internationally in 2006.

Her travels saw her in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic and included daring adventures such as leaping over an active volcano in Chile. She also visited war zones and endured extreme climates—most notably, becoming the only Kuwaiti to reach Oymyakon in Russia, the coldest inhabited place on Earth.

“These travels changed my perspective and ideas significantly,” Sultan said, emphasizing the value of cultural exchange and personal resilience. Despite numerous hardships over 18 years, she views her achievement as a contribution to both Kuwait and Arab women, vowing to continue her journeys to gain more experience and wisdom.