Magdy Eissa from Egypt set a world record by visiting the new Seven Wonders of the World in under a week.
Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed that Eissa travelled for 6 days, 11 hours, and 52 minutes using only public transport, surpassing Jamie McDonald’s previous record.
Eissa described the planning as a “monumental” effort that took one and a half years. He navigated various flights, trains, buses, and subways. “A single disruption could derail the entire itinerary,” he noted during an interview with GWR.
His journey started at the Great Wall of China, followed by the Taj Mahal in India, Petra in Jordan, the Colosseum in Rome, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, and finally, Chichen Itza in Mexico. Each segment required meticulous planning of transit times and routes.
Despite a few close calls, including missing a bus to Petra and nearly missing a flight from Peru to Mexico, Eissa faced no major disruptions. He recalled special moments, like encountering alpacas in Peru and unexpectedly meeting an old friend.
Eissa expressed a profound sense of achievement and suggested travel as a vital experience that broadens perspectives and enriches lives.