Romanian Mihai Tufa is on his way around the world. On foot. “And yes, mama, I’m coming home. Once departed, I will reach Romania in about 4-5 months, so we will see each other this year,” Tufa, who lives in the UK, wrote to his parents to let them know about the decision to go around the world one step at the time. His whole journey will be leg powered, minus the ferries, boats or planes when crossing the oceans.

The 26-year old photographer from the Northern town of Vaslui started his challenging journey on January 16, in Harrogate, UK. He hopes to raise money for three charities and take lots of pictures to document his five to seven years journey. Carrying his 21.5 kilos backpack, Mihai wants to raise GBP 100,000 for Romanian foundations Water Aid and Princess Margareta of Romania Trust and for the British Heart Foundation. He has already started to write about the places he has seen so far. See the map of this journey here.

His World Photo Tour is open to donations either via payPal, or through the special donations page on his site.

The Romanian is now heading to France and continuing his route through Europe towards Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark. Back to Germany then, heading South-East towards Austria. The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary will follow, after which he will enter Romania, his home country. Mihai Tufa plans to spend a couple of months in his home country to get all the necessary visas and vaccines. He will then keep walking East through Moldavia, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and China, he also hopes to visit Nepal and India. Next up, Indochina, then Australia and New Zealand. After crossing the Pacific Ocean the intrepid Romanian will journey North to South in the Americas, from Alaska all the way down to Tierra del Fuego ( Chile, Argentina ). Africa, South to North, will come next, from South Africa to Morocco, then back to Europe: Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland and finally back to the UK. .

“I usually sleep four hours at a time. I am happy, but what matters is being fulfilled. Huge difference. I only eat once a day. A lot. I can make people smile, I can make people cry, just like anybody else. I don’t hate anyone. Just cannot do it. I’m not great with people, nor words, nor photography, and especially not walking. I only do what I can, what I know, what I learn. I believe in life. I believe in people.”

editor@romania-insider.com