Counting Countries – GlobalGaz: Recent Episodes
Boris completed the quest of visiting all 193 countries last year On today’s episode, I welcome Boris Kester to Counting Countries. Boris caught my attention last year when he posted some information on Every Passport Stamp in regard to his independent trip to Afghanistan. It is one thing to visit Afghanistan with a trusted tour operator, another to travel on your own. EPS is group of fellow travelers on Facebook on the quest to visit all 193.
Boris has travel imprinted on his DNA. One of his first trips while still in a baby carriage was a two day train trip to Greece with his parents. Growing up, he found himself living in Malta and India. In fact, as a ten year old he made a book where he began counting countries.
Boris touches on a number of dangerous situations he encountered on the road: a car accident in Botswana, a gun attack in Buenos Aires, and another gun incident on the border of Equatorial Guinea. He talks about his most difficult visa for Nauru and why he believes this tiny country is worth a visit. Boris talks about a poignant moment when visiting the former Buddhist statues of Bamiyan in Afghanistan. When visiting the destroyed statues he recalled his parent’s honeymoon years ago.
Boris touches on fellow 193ers including reading Mike Spencer Bown’s book, The World’s Most Traveled Man, who has been on Counting Countries. Boris, who is a senior purser on KLM recounts how he met Caroline Santina Lupini, a moderator in EPS, on a flight.
Boris has his own blog where he documents his travel and is also a productive blogger on KLM’s site.
Recently, I traveled to five countries in southern Africa, including Namibia. You can check out my blog, GlobalGaz, to check out a series of posts I wrote on this incredible country. I was an invited guest of G Adventures, who organizes trips to over 100 countries. Before we speak to Boris, I speak with Kim McCabe, who is responsible for US public relations for G Adventures.
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify and of course if you like the program, feel free write a review.
And in fact, a quick thank you to Paposis from Denmark for his 5 star review on Apple Podcast. “I just love this podcast! All the guests have so inspiring stories, and my own travel bucket list keeps getting larger and larger. Ric is a fantastic host of these podcasts!” Thanks for sharing these kind words and I hope you get to work on that bucket list.
But for now, here’s my conversation with Boris who was in Holland while I was in Boston. Please listen in and enjoy.
Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon.
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Boris: * Born in: The Hague, Netherlands * Passports from: Netherlands * Favorite travel book: Homer’s Odyssey * Favorite travel film: Touching The Void * Favorite travel app: maps.me * Must carry: Camera * Favorite food: Italian * Favorite drink: Freshly squeezed fruit juice * Favorite Airline: KLM * Favorite Hotel: Mattress in the desert * Websites: Travel Adventures & Boris Kester * Instagram: Boris Travel Adventures * Twitter: Boris Kester * Facebook: Boris Kester * Boris’s Map: Nomad Mania
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today!!
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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
- 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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
The post Boris Kester … has completed all 193 UN countries appeared first on GlobalGaz.
Michael has visited every country in the world and is ranked #10 on Nomad Mania On today’s episode, I welcome back Michael Runkel back to Counting Countries. Michael first appeared on Episode 17, back in the fall of 2016. At that time he had completed 176 countries.
I am in a difficult position. There are only 26 podcasts a year, and there are so many incredible individuals in the 193 community. I have an ongoing personal debate whether to only feature new people on the podcast or revisit with prior guests. I decided in some cases, it would be interesting to touch base with previous guests who were in the midst of their quest, and who at a later point completed the 193. Hence, Michael rejoins Counting Countries again. And he does not disappoint. Michael is a prolific traveler and shares more incredible travel stories including one from Central African Republic. He introduces us to Kolja Spori’s Extreme Traveler International Congress, which took place in Somalia, where William Baekeland made an appearance. Michael also touches on his extremely successful photo exhibit (which has ended at the time of the publication of this podcast) in Germany featuring photos from all 193 countries
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify and of course if you like the program, feel free write a review.
And in fact, a quick thank you to Rich Deneault for his review on Apple Podcast. “The host of this podcast, Ric Gazarian – an avid traveller himself – surely boasts a world class Rolodex of well-known travellers. In this wonderfully engaging podcasts, Ric interviews travellers about their favourite places, Visa nightmares and inspirations to travel. The list of interviewees includes such notable travellers as Gary Arndt, Lee Abbamonte, Don Parrish, Johnny Ward, Gunnar Garfors, Audrey Walsworth and many more. If you enjoy travel or simply enjoy travel stories, you’ll certainly enjoy this podcast!” Thanks for sharing these kind words.
But for now, here’s my conversation with Michael, who joined me from Germany while I was in Bangkok, the Big Mango.
Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon.
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Michael: * Born in: Bavaria, Germany * Passports from: Germany * Favorite travel book: Shantaram * Favorite travel site: Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum * Must carry: Camera * Favorite food: German Roulade, a roulade is a dish of filled rolled meat or pastry. * Favorite drink: Aperol Spritz * Favorite Airline: Emirates Airlines * Website: Micheal Runkel * Facebook: Michael Runkel Photographs * Instagram: Michael Runkel Photo * Travel Map: The Best Traveled Map
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today!!
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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
- 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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
The post Michael Runkel … has completed 193 UN countries appeared first on GlobalGaz.
Lexie is on track to become the youngest person to travel to every country in the world, earning a Guinness World Record Today, I welcome Lexie Alford, the youngest person who has appeared on Counting Countries. She just turned 20 years old. She has already visited 140 countries. She is on track to be the youngest person to travel to every country in the world, sometime next year. Her goal is to visit every country in the world before she turns 21. If so, she will claim the GWR.
On previous episodes of Counting Countries, I have interviewed James Asquith the youngest person to travel every country in the world as well as the former record holder, Maurizio Giuliani. I also interviewed Eric Nguyen last year, who finished 193 and is applying to GWR, to claim James’s GWR.
The superlatives of travel have seemed to have taken on a life of their own in the travel world, with Cassie De Pecol claiming to be the first documented woman to travel to every country in the world. I interviewed Taylor Demonbreun last episode, who is also on track to be the fastest and youngest. And Lexie, is on track to be the youngest the following year.
Many in the travel community have taken umbrage with these goal chasers. Lexie shares with us her thoughts, and her response to the critics.
Lexie shares with us her recent trip to Yemen with travel legend Gunnar Garfors, getting detained by the police in Rome, why she loves Switzerland, and why she is not fond of Paraguay.
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify and of course if you like the program, feel free write a review.
But for now, here’s my conversation with Lexie, who joined me from California while I was in Bangkok, the city of angels.
Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon.
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Lexie: * Born in: Nevada City, California * Passports from: US Passport * Favorite travel book: On the Road by Jack Kerouac
- Favorite travel film: Samsara
- Favorite app: Passporter app (coming soon)
- Favorite food: Moroccan Couscous
- Favorite drink: Freddo Cappuccino (Greece)
- Favorite airline: Delta
- Favorite hotel: Berggasthaus Äscher (Cliff Hanging Hostel in the Swiss Alps)
- Website: Living Lost
- Facebook: Lexie Alford
- Instagram: Lost Lexie
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today!!
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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
- 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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
The post Lexie Alford … has traveled to 140 UN countries appeared first on GlobalGaz.
Jorge has traveled to all 193 and so much more Jorge, a Spaniard, had an aborted trip to Africa as a 13 year old, as he traveled solo to the continent without a passport. He travels were delayed until he was 18, when he then left home for two years as he traveled Europe. The journeys continued for decades.
Jorge viewed the world as a classroom. He took to the road to learn about languages, religions and philosophies. Jorge lived in a cave in India with Sadhus, in a monastery in Japan with monks, and even in a prison in Afghanistan.
And check out our new sponsor – The Journey by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – take a listen and subscribe!
Jorge shares with us his passion for Russia and India. He traveled slowly on the road. Jorge often took on odd jobs while he was traveling, including a job which required a pistol in a house of ill repute. I had not heard that one before on the podcast.
Jorge believes the world as an expansive library with 193 volumes. He feels that he has read and studied this library extensively and now is “retired” from traveling and is living with his family in the Far East of Russia.
Counting Countries has been added to both Alexa and Spotify. Wherever you listen, consider subscribing and writing a review. And check out the awesome Counting Countries store on Amazon.
Jorge joined me from Italy while I was in Bangkok, please join in and listen to today’s episode.
Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Jorge Sanchez: * Born in: I was born in 1954 in Barcelona, Spain * Passports from: I have Spanish passport * Favorite travel book: My favorite travel book is: The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor * Favorite travel film: Baraka * Must carry: A notebook * Favorite food: Any Indian dish with curry * Favorite drink: Coffee * Favorite airline: The cheapest * Favorite hotel: Youth hostel * Website: Jorge Sanchez * Nomad Mania Map: Jorge Sanchez * Jorge’s books: Meetings With Remarkable Travelers and A Journey To Exotic South America
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today!!
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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
- 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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
The post Jorge Sanchez … ranked first on Nomad Mania appeared first on GlobalGaz.
Peleg has been on the road for over 13 years with no end in sight Peleg is a from a small town, just miles from the Lebanese border. In 2006, his military unit was called up for the war with Lebanon. He spent a month in combat. After this experience, he revisited the direction of his life.
He decided he needed to follow his heart and passion and began traveling the world to learn and experience. Originally he brokered a deal with his family where he planned on traveling for four years before returning to lead a more traditional life. Those 4 years turned into 13 years, with no plan to stop.
And check out our new sponsor – The Journey by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – take a listen and subscribe!
Peleg has a passion for volunteering, and spent time working on many projects throughout the world from a favela in Brazil, living at the Smokey Mountain dump in Manila, and a school in Uganda. Pelleg is an extremely popular travel blogger in Israel, and also gets many of his readers to participate on his volunteer projects.
Peleg has had challenges on the road like suffering from malaria and typhoid in West Africa or being detained by the police in Guinea. He has played football in a prison in Mexico. And shares with us why he loves South Africa, Mongolia and an untouched beach in Sierra Leone.
Counting Countries has been added to both Alexa and Spotify. Wherever you listen, consider subscribing and writing a review. And check out the awesome Counting Countries store on Amazon.
If there is someone you want to hear on Counting Countries, please reach out to me. Peleg was brought to my attention by Counting Countries listener and traveler, Stefan Kirschner.
Thanks Stefan! Peleg joined me from South Africa while I was in Bangkok, please join in and listen to today’s episode.
Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Peleg Cohen: * Born in: Nahariya, Israel * Passports from: Israel * Favorite travel book: A Fine Balance * Favorite travel film: Into The Wild * Must carry: Camera!! * Favorite food: My mom’s cooking, then Indian food * Favorite drink: Mezcal * Website: Lonely Peleg * Facebook: Lonely Peleg
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today!!
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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
- 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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
The post Peleg Cohen … has completed 133 UN countries as he gives back to the local community as he travels appeared first on GlobalGaz.
Samer has managed to work full time as an architect as he chases 193 Samer shared with me that he’s driven to travel by FOMO and YOLO. The fear of missing out and you only live once, pushes him to plan constantly so he can maximize travel to the fullest. He is continually researching, creating lists, and making future travel itineraries. Samer has travel in his blood. From an early age he made multiple trips to Jordan and Syria to visit family. This opened the door to travel as a kid. And before he was even a teenager, he methodically learned and memorized geography data and trivia. In fact, he had already determined that he would travel to every country in the world.
Please check out our sponsor The Journey – A Podcast by KLM Samer visited China as a 16 year old and went backpacking in Europe before he even started university. He shares with us how he nearly lost his cool in the Abidjan airport and his frustrations in the Miami airport. He tells us why he loves antarctica and why pakistan is underrated.
Counting Countries has been added to both Alexa and Spotify. Wherever you listen, consider subscribing and writing a review. And check out the awesome Counting Countries store on Amazon.
Samer joined me from California while I was in Bangkok, please join in and listen to today’s episode. And check out his awesome sketches below!
Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Samer Kawar: * Born in: San Francisco Bay Area * Passports from: USA, Jordan * Favorite travel book: Any Lonely Planet Guide * Favorite travel film: Seven Years in Tibet * Favorite travel app or website: Nomad Mania, Atlas Obscura, Trupadvisor * Must carry: My sketchbook, Polaroid Zip photo printer * Favorite food: Khao soi, torta ahogada, coconut curry * Favorite drink: the local beer in each country * Favorite airline: Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines * Favorite hotel: Airways Hotel, PNG * Website: WanderLuster * Instagram: WanderLuster * Twitter: WanderLuster * Map: Nomad Mania
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today!!
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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
- 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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Check out Samer’s awesome and talented sketches!
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
The post Samer Kawar … has completed 145 UN countries, while marrying his passion for travel and architecture appeared first on GlobalGaz.
Frank has nearly visited the 5,000 places on his list which makes him the best traveled person in terms of quality.
[Download .mp3]
Frank passionately believes in what he calls quality tourism, which he defines as the opposite of checking boxes. So instead of focusing on crossing borders, he focuses on visiting places of note which he believes contributes to authentic and meaningful travel. Frank despite being listed #5 on Nomad Mania, just recently visited his 193rd country in 2016.
Frank and his partner have traveled virtually non stop over the last 10 years to complete his list of 5000 places. He has a definitive travel style which does not allow for deviation of plans, since his focus is to visit 1.36 sites a day on average. Completing this list allows him to call himself the “The Best Traveled Man On Earth: Best in Quality Based On Highlights”.
Frank has traveled to the far corners of the globe with visits to both the North and South Pole as well as the circumnavigation of Antarctica and the Arctic. Travel plays a dominant role in his life. In one year alone, he dedicated 500,000 Euro for himself and his partner.
Frank during our conversation shares his love of Paris, why Chad is underrated, and why he was concerned with his visit to Mogadishu.
Counting Countries has been added to both Alexa and Spotify. Wherever you listen, consider subscribing and writing a review. And check out the awesome Counting Countries store on Amazon.
And for some trivia, Counting Countries has fans in 114 different countries, including Somalia, Togo, and Paraguay.
A final note, with this episode, it will mark the end of Season 1. A great thank you to all the listeners as well as all of the great travelers I have spoken with. I look forward to speaking with all of you when Season 2 kicks off in early summer.
Frank joined me from Phuket while I was in Bangkok. Please listen in and enjoy.
Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Frank Grosse-Oetringhaus: Born in: Germany
Passports from: Germany
Website: Frank Grosse Oetringhaus
Map: Nomad Mania
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today!!
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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz
Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
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.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
The post Frank Grosse-Oetringhaus … has created a list of 5,000 places in the world to visit appeared first on GlobalGaz.
[Download .mp3]
There are tourists, travelers and then there are explorers.
Jeff has an incredible travel resume, and at times when speaking with him I recalled explorers like Lewis and Clark or Shackleton during our conversation.
After sailing across the Pacific in a small sailboat, he spent time in Papua New Guinea. He then began a 40 day adventure of walking and rafting across PNG. He spent months walking and exploring in South America. And Jeff shared his stories of exploration of untouched wilderness in Venezuela. These lands have been unexplored by man. Jeff hired an expedition crew of indigenous people, satellite phones, and collapsible canoes to explore this virgin land.
Jeff is passionate about preserving the environment. Jeff has created World Parks Inc. whose purpose is to promote, support, facilitate the establishment of, and establish world parks, which will consist of large tracts of land on each of the continents, set aside and maintained by the international community, in the parks’ natural state, unencumbered by the inventions of modern man.
We are all familiar with TCC, MTP, and Nomad Mania, but Jeff found these groups to be insufficient in measuring his travels. He has created SISO which is comprised of 3,978 places. One of his many goals is to visit every place on that list. He practices the “contamination theory” to evaluate his visits.
In addition to speaking with Jeff, I also incorporated both his wife and daughter into our conversation. His wife who he met during his travels has been to over 100 countries. His daughter is a former Guinness World Record holder for travel.
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And for some trivia, Counting Countries has fans in 114 different countries, including Somalia, Togo, and Paraguay.
Jeff joined me from California while I was in Bangkok, please join in and listen to today’s episode.
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Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Jeff Shea: * Born in: San Francisco * Passports from: USA * Favorite travel book: Bill Dalton’s Indonesia Handbook 1983 * Must carry: Headlamps, Neosporin, satellite phone if on an expedition * Favorite food: My wife’s cooking * Favorite drink: Soursop juice * Favorite airline: Garuda and Turkish Airlines * Website: Jeff Shea * Map: Nomad Mania
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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 Mundi.
About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 325 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- 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.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
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