Dr Tim Astandu has been to every country in the world   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Tim Astandu.  Tim and I have been in the same room three times in less than 12 months … Addis Ababa, Hanoi, and Lisbon, but today was a great opportunity to learn about his life and travels and it didn’t disappoint.  A mother who wrote for NatGeo, extensive schooling in the UK, and then of course … Chasing 193.  And do not forget a special serenade in DPRK.  Tim will be attending the ETF and you will be able to meet him in Bangkok.       I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons.  You know them, you love them!  Bisa “fully nomadic” Myles, Ted Nims, Adam “one-away” Hickman, Steph “Phuket” Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Philippe “BC” Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Peter Fenger, Mihai Dascalu, Ryan Knott, Zipping Around The World Podcast, Shawn McDonough, and McCade Siegal for supporting this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to .  My patrons will hear the entire conversation with Tim.   Please remember the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be on October 22-25 in 2026.  But remember there is a price increase on July 1.  Lock in the lower price today. You can join the event and use the code BANGKOK. Consider joining our and groups and signing up for the .  Any questions, please let me know.     I was in Boston while Tim was in Jakarta for this recording.  Please listen in and enjoy.    Thank you to my - you rock!! … Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Peter Fenger, Mihai Dascalu, Ryan Knott, Zipping Around The World Podcast, Shawn McDonough and McCade Siegal.        And now you can listen to ! And Alexa!   And write a review! More about Dr Tim Astandu Counting Countries:     Books And check out Thor Pedersen: The Impossible Journey (Amazon US Kindle (affiliate)): Other book options:   And Barry Hoffner: (affiliate)   About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who’ve spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter’s Dance, written, performed, and provided by .  About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: , , and .  He is the producer of two travel documentaries: and .   Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has and keep up with his journey at How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!  The United Nations states that there are . The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are . The Traveler’s Century Club states that there are . The Nomad Mania The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 . SISO says there are .     Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Dr. Tim Astandu Counting Countries