See:
http://robot6.comicbookresources.com...iginal-tintin/

In 1928, to celebrate 100 years anniversary of birth of Jules Verne, author of Around the world in 80 days, Danish newspaper Politiken offered to send one person around the world.

With conditions. Only 15 year old boys could apply.
The boy was required to travel unaccompanied, use no aeroplanes and complete the trip in 46 days, not 80.

350 boys applied. Politiken chose one Palle Huld, age 15, who had left school and was working as a clerk in a car shop.

On 1st of March, 1928, he departed on the trip. Crossing such difficult parts of world like Manchuria and Soviet Union alone as required, he completed the journey in 44 days. He went on to write a book on the trip experience.

A few months later the Tintin comic strip was published, clearly based on Palle - red-haired, freckled and fresh-faced boy exploring the world on his own.

So, how fast can you now circle the world without using a plane?