Around the universe in just three days: Emirati doctor's cross-continent trip enters the record books

For most people, 2020 is a year where travel has been non-existent.

The global pandemic has generally curtailed leisure travel since March, as many countries all over the world imposed border restrictions and airlines grounded flights.

But also for one Emirati woman, the story has been a little different.

Earlier this year, Khawla Al Romaithi took a vacation that touched straight down in all seven continents in record-breaking time.

In February, the physician, mother and Abu Dhabi resident set off on a trip that took her around the world in the area of three days and nights, 14 hours, 46 minutes and 48 seconds.

Guinness World Data this week certified her trip as the most effective that anyone has ever travelled to Antarctica, Oceania, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The prior record was set by Americans Kasey Stewart and Julie Berry in December 2017 and was a lot more than five hours slower.

For Al Romaithi, the theory for the record-breaking excursion came into being because of a long-seated love for travel and leisure.

“After seeing an increasing number of countries, my personal mindset changed. As my youngsters grew, they were fascinated with new cultures therefore we went to several Globe Heritage Sites. Our journeys advanced to include adventure, doing activities like climbing Machu Picchu and acquiring boat rides under Brazil’s Iguazu Falls," Al Romaithi tells The National.

“I'd heard about many nationalities going to countries all over the world but it’s not very sometimes you hear of an Arabic mom doing the same. I needed the UAE and its people from all nationalities to end up being happy and proud,” she explains.

It certainly isn't the first time the Emirates has been associated with a good record-breaking feat, with the country already keeping the titles for world's tallest building, major high-definition video wall structure and the quickest police car operating, to name just a few.

"I wanted to show the environment and our world that Emirati people, exactly like their country, can handle reaching extraordinary record-breaking milestones," Al Romaithi told Guinness Environment Records.

Setting off by Antarctica, Al Romaithi brandished the UAE flag in the world's southernmost continent before flying to Africa. From there, she travelled to Asia and took a air travel to the UK in Europe before journeying to THE UNITED STATES. From NY, she travelled down to SOUTH USA then ended her trip in Oceania’s Australia. The trip ended on February 13, 2020.

Luckily for the self-funded Emirati, her excursion took place right before the entire impact of the coronavirus was known.

“Although Covid-19 was out there, I was lucky that it was not declared as a pandemic when I went on the trip. It by no means occurred to me it could change the world as it has, therefore i was extremely lucky," she says.

Al Romaithi points out that the trip wasn't without its obstacles, however.

“It was a difficult voyage; the attempt demanded a whole lot of patience, specifically in airports, and also having to handle constant plane rides."

In addition to presenting touched down in all seven continents, the Emirati has visited all 195 countries recognised by the UN. She's also visited additional territories including Gibraltar, French Polynesia and Greenland.

Travelling gives Al Romaithi a fresh sense of appreciation on her behalf home country, while also highlighting the similarities that people in countries all over the world share.

“Being truly a people's person and being aware of a handful of languages helped myself to breakdown barriers, strengthen bonds and make even more international friends on the way," she says.

"It made me become more appreciative of what we've in the UAE because of the leadership which has developed our country."

Having received confirmation from Guinness Globe Records that she experienced smashed the prior time for travelling to all seven continents, Al Romaithi was lost for words.

“To find the award, you should proceed through a rigorous assessment and qualification procedure. I'm beyond speechless that it really happened.”