A former doorman has turned his life into “one long holiday” after dropping everything to travel the world – and has also revealed his favourite airport lounges.
Henry Nenonen abandoned his nine-to-five life with the aim of exploring the planet – and has since been to 65 countries.
The 32-year-old, who is a YouTuber and travel influencer, had intended to go to university but found the “doors to higher education didn’t open”.
READ MORE: Stunned drivers find cars encased in ice after chilly night
- Advertisement -
Instead, Henry worked odd jobs and used the cash he earned to soak up knowledge, culture and fun by travelling.
“After serving my national service at 18, I tried to live a so-called normal life, go to work and apply to universities,” Henry, who now commands a huge YouTube following, told What’s The Jam.
“When the doors to higher education didn’t open, I gave up and started working odd jobs.
“I worked as a doorman at restaurants and other jobs that were easy to get and easy to leave when I had enough cash.
“Whenever I had enough money, I went on a trip.
- Advertisement -
“In autumn 2024, I left my apartment, quit my last job, sold all my belongings, and set off on a trip around the world.
“At the moment, I travel for as long as I have enough money or when I don’t feel like it anymore.
“So I’m currently supporting myself through my content creation.”
- Advertisement -
Henry posted his first YouTube video in 2022 and has since gained 19,700 followers.
He admits that some months are “better than others” and he tries to add a little luxury to his travels where he can, too.
He said: “I got to fly first class between Bangkok and Hong Kong on Emirates – the ticket was relatively cheap, around £440 one way.
“For longer trips, I can’t buy first class tickets, at least not yet, but I have been able to fly business class, mostly on Oneworld Alliance flights, thanks to frequent flyer benefits.”
Describing his experience on the double-decker Airbus A380, he added: “Even the toiletry bag had branded perfume and face cream.
“ The bag was actually made of leather.
“My seat had its own drinks cabinets, which were already filled.
A multi-course set [meal] was served on the flight.”
As a full-time traveller, Henry has vast experience of waiting for flights in airport lounges – and has shared some of his best and worst experiences.
He said: “Cathay Pacific has the only lounge in Hong Kong where I’ve had a massage.
“On the other hand, there is a really good American Airlines crown jewel lounge at Dallas airport.
“I even took a shower there.
“In Delhi, there was a first class shopping lounge used by Finnair.
“I had been in India for almost a month and I almost cried when I got to the fresh omelettes.
“The Munich lounge that Finski used was one that you never have to go to again.
“The food was cold, and there was no change despite requests.
“The meatballs would bounce off when you tried to pick them up.
“The lounge was also completely overcrowded.”
Henry hopes to one day become Finland’s top travel influencer after narrowly missing out on the Tubecon Award last year.
He said: “My goal is to be Finland’s leading travel content producer on YouTube, to visit every country in the world, and create as much content as possible around the globe.
“Of course, Finland is a small market, so I have also considered changing the language to English, but at least for now, that is not a major issue.
“I would also like to have a family and children.
“Let’s see if we can combine them into this equation.”
“My passion for travel has also been increased by the feeling of not belonging to [my native] Finland and a society that expects you to pay bills, work and die at some point.
