Hey now, I am your host Ric Gazarian on the 10th update for the Extraordinary Travel Festival.  We have a lot of news to share with you today.  So grab that coffee of if in Thailand, grab a chamanow and please listen in. The event is now about a month and a half a way.  But still time to join, use code BANGKOK to save at . Some quick updates ... we have added three new speakers, Luisa Yu, Matt Bowles and Sabbatical Tommy.  Luisa is well known in the community for her determination and her multi-decade quest to visit every country in the world.  She finished at age 79! So impressive.  Matt is the host of the super entertaining the , where he speaks with amazing travelers from around the world.  He will be speaking on his 10 plus years of being a digital nomad.  Tommy is a travel content creator on and also a polyglot!  That's cool. Are you scared of ghosts?  Did you know that ghosts play a cental role in Thai culture?  We have partnered with Bangkok Haunts to provide you with an introduction to ghosts and spirits in Thailand.  We offer a half day tour on November 14 and 18.  Check it out! First, I speak with Professor JP.  I think so many of us love lists and rankings.  So I am excited to share a new travel index will be premiered at the ETF.  The index is called the ETF/ABS Magellan Traveller Index.  This will rank the top 100 travelers in the world.  We will be sharing this list and announcing the top 3 ranked at ETF.  I want to thank both Most Traveled People and NomadMania for partnering with us and sharing their data. I also speak to 2 great individuals and partners of ETF.  These two people are sponsors of ETF and deserve a special thank you for supporting our event.  First up is Baba the founder of   Baba has been welcoming and introducing travelers to this amazing Saharan country.  Many members of the extreme travel community know and have traveled with Baba.  Please consider Baba if you are travelling to Mauritania.  Baba will be exhibiting at ETF as well as moderating a session on Mauritania to answer all of your questions. I also speak with Ahmed, the founder of Aknaf Alsawary.  Ahmed was my guide when I visited Iraq the other year.  Ahmed is a virtual sponsor of ETF.  Ahmed offers fixed date group tours to Iraq, and he is raffling a 50% off coupon to one of these trips at ETF.  In addition, ETF is pleased to announce that we can offer a $150 off these fixed date trips.  Contact me to get your $150 off his tour.  ric @ globalgaz.com And after I speak with Ahmed, I will do a little recap on the ETF and the ! Up first is Baba, please listen in and enjoy.

Andy Hicks Counting Countries has traveled to 120 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  Today, we are speaking with Andy Hicks.  I have had the pleasure of meeting Andy at the first ETF in Armenia and the TCC meeting in May in the Azores.  Andy was raised in a non-travel environment, but a couple of pivotal trips propelled him into the 193 community and with his stated goal of every country by 50.   If you want to meet Andy Hicks and 206 other travelers join us in Bangkok. The Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok.  Use discount code BANGKOK for $60, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the . I’ll give an ETF recap at the end of this episode. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam “one-away” Hickman, Steph “Phuket” Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe “JL” Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sam Williams, and Ani Chaturvedi for supporting this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to .  My patrons will hear extra content with Andy that you will not hear.  I binge a ton of podcasts. I have just started listening to the Maverick Show podcast, hosted by Matt Bowles.  Maverick Show just celebrated his 300th episode.  Check out a most recent episode with Ashley Company.  She grew up as a military brat, living as a local in South Korea with her family.  Then she went on a multi-month epic trip visiting every country in South and Central America.  Check out Ashley.  Of course, Counting Countries is all about Chasing 193.  Matt is more focused on digital life and travel, but there are many interesting lessons and parallels within our community.  I was in Bangkok for this recording while Andy was in Denver. 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, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil Marcus, Sam Williams, and Ani Chaturvedi.     And now you can listen to ! And Alexa!  And write a review!More About Andy Hicks Counting Countries Where were you born: Lexington, KY USA What passport (s) do you hold: USA (2) Favorite travel book: probably Around the World in 50 Years by Albert Podell; Bradt guides 100% for trip planning Favorite travel film: Raiders of the Lost Ark (no kidding) Favorite travel app or website: EPS, Adam Hickman’s Top Tips, Geography Now! Must carry item when traveling (like flashlight, Kindle, deck of cards etc.): my sleep is extremely important – so eye shades, ear plugs, and Ambien; anything else I can buy locally Favorite food: probably sushi Favorite drink: good coffee and Coca Cola with real sugar when outside the US Favorite airline: Qatar Favorite hotel: not too focused on hotels but if I had to pick one, probably the Grovepark in Asheville, NC 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. Andy Hicks Counting Countries

I am excited to introduce to you two partners of the Extraordinary Travel Festival, Matt Bowles and Ian Cumming. Matt is a 10 year plus digital nomad, who hosts the very successful as well as a real estate investment company.  Matt can be found around the globe setting up shop in cities as diverse as Nairobi, Lagos or Luanda.  I am pleased to announce that Matt will be one of the speakers at the ETF.  You can connect with him here on . Ian Cumming is the founder of Travel Massive, a global networking platform for people who work in travel or are passionate travelers.  There are scores of chapters around the globe hosting events or meet people on the network whether they be entrepreneurs or content creators.  Travel Massive is also hosting our meetup on Thursday, November 14.  . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok. First is the destination. Maybe BKK might seem too common. Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk. This is a true onion; you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring. Maybe you are missing some NM regions in Thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep. Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN. Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan. There is so much to see here! Second, is the content. We have an incredible lineup of speakers. More will be announced. Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website. Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country. And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are Chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy. Then you have found your tribe.  We have some great events to share a drink and conversation with your fellow travelers …. Friday night will be a great party with music, Saturday will be the gala dinner, and, don’t leave early, we will be hosting the NomadMania Awards live in Bangkok on Sunday.  And we added in another meetup on Thursday evening, November 14th to check in with fellow attendees before the event officially kicks off on Friday morning.  The host of our meetup is . So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event. A hub with great infrastructure at great prices. The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily. Don’t get FOMO, come join the 170 plus who have already committed. And how many more will sign up in the next 3 months. Should be a lot of people! Feel free to go to the website, use code  to save, and join us in Krung Thep this November. If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else. Please listen in and enjoy.  And check out the last episode on . Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #8

Luisa Yu has traveled to every country in the world   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  I am excited to have Luisa Yu on the podcast.  She is well known and beloved member to many in the community.  For those not in the know, Luisa just visited her last country this year.  She accomplished this goal as a 79 year old.  When many in her age group have retired to more placid and serene pastures, Luisa has demonstrated grit and determination.  And Luisa has not slowed down .. trips since she has completed the quest include Mogadishu, the north Caucasus, and the Kalash Festival in Pakistan.  Truly, she is an inspiration.  A quick show out to Phillipe for assisting in scheduling my conversation with Luisa.     A public service reminder, the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok.  Discount code BANGKOK for $100, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the . This $100 discount will be reduced starting September 1.  What I did not mention is at ETF we will be hosting a moderated conversation with Luisa and her multi-decade journey to every country in the world.  Luisa has a unique voice which is different than the traditional stereotype of a traveler in the extreme travel community.      Don’t get #FOMO over 170 people are committed!  Including of course, Luisa.   I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam “one away” Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Gin, Philippe ‘JL’ Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine OTB Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to .  My patrons will hear extra content with Luisa that you will not hear.  For those who listen a lot, I am a big fan of small world stories … and this is relevant when I introduce a new patron Ani Chaturvedi, who I randomly met while getting a Covid test in Armenia the other year.  Ani is originally from Mumbai but now is in San Francisco.  Regarding travel, Ani was inspired by his mom who made frequent trips to Mauritius and Singapore.  He is now Chasing 193 and nearing 70 countries. Welcome aboard!  And also a quick thank you to new patron, Craig, unknown last name at this time.     Besides hosting a podcast, I listen to a ton of podcast, including community favorites Palle Bo’s , and Francis Tapon, WanderLearn.  In fact, you can check me out on WanderLearn with Francis speaking about the ETF. But, I am late to the dance with the Maverick Show podcast, hosted by Matt Bowles.  Maverick Show has nearly 300 episodes and is ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts.  I recently found out about this travel podcast and I have started binging episodes.  Matt is a great host who guides the conversation while naturally sharing his travel experiences adding to the conversation.  I have heard great conversations with people like Eriva Vivro, who has lived an incredible travel life, living in multiple countries like Qatar, Thailand, Zambia, and now has been wintering in Ghana with her family.  Very, very cool.  Of course, Counting Countries is all about Chasing 193.  Matt is more focussed on digital life and travel, but there are many interesting lessons and parallels within our community.  I was in Boston for this recording while Luisa was in Miami. Please listen in and enjoy.        Thank you to my - you rock!!  ….  Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Sam Williams, Aniruddh Chaturvedi, and Craig.        And now you can listen to ! And Alexa!   And write a review! Luisa Yu Counting Countries 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. Luisa Yu Counting Countries

Join us in Bangkok for the in November of 2024. Please use code – BANGKOK – to save $100 (the discount will be reduced starting September 1). Reserve your place today. On this episode, I speak to 3 amazing people who you will also meet at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok on November 15-17. First up is Fadi Assi. Many people in the extreme travel community are familiar with Fadi and his generosity. He has welcomed many of us to Syria. Fadi is the founder of .  Fadi will be one of the speakers in Bangkok and will be sharing his wealth of knowledge.  If you are considering visiting, make sure you check in with Fadi. Second is Jon Beardmore.  Jon is an accomplished traveler and has undertaken a fascinating project, The Galapagos Postman Project.  We all love travel and sometimes incorporating in an additional quest has the potential of really adding to your travel experiences.  The Galapagos Postman Project is one of those really cool quests.  You can follow along on his quest on . And third is Evelthon Vassiliou.  He is another accomplished traveler who recently accomplished the 193.  Evelthon was ahead of the curve visiting places like Angkor Wat in the late 1990s.  Despite finishing the 193, he is still actively traveling.  Follow along on . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok. First is the destination. Maybe BKK might seem too common. Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk. This is a true onion; you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring. Maybe you are missing some NM regions in Thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep. Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN. Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan. There is so much to see here! Second, is the content. We have an incredible lineup of speakers. More will be announced. Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website. Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country. And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are Chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy. Then you have found your tribe.  We have some great events to share a drink and conversation with your fellow travelers .... Friday night will be a great party with music, Saturday will be the gala dinner, and, don't leave early, we will be hosting the NomadMania Awards live in Bangkok on Sunday.  And we added in another meetup on Thursday evening, November 14th to check in with fellow attendees before the event officially kicks off on Friday morning.  The host of our meetup is . So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event. A hub with great infrastructure at great prices. The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily. Don’t get FOMO, come join the 170 plus who have already committed. And how many more will sign up in the next 3 months. Should be a lot of people! Feel free to go to the website, use code to save $100, and join us in Krung Thep this November. If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else. Please listen in and enjoy.  And check out the last episode on .

Jason Wang has traveled to 175 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  I am happy to introduce to you Jason Wang, an avid traveler, foodie, and photographer.  Not only is he Chasing 193, but he also chasing the 7 Summits.  Jason’s life tracks all of the great successes embodied by the best of American immigration.  A life which was originally defined by school and work was dramatically redefined by a gap year of travel after dental school.  He never looked back.   If you are a listener, you have heard this before … the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok.  Discount code BANGKOK for $100, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the . Come join to meet with some great partners of the extreme travel community, we have Fadi Assi of Golden Team in Syria, and David Van Driessche of Papua New Guinea, and Baba from T’Ore Mauritania.  We also have the three great travel groups participating as well, you will see representatives from NomadMania, Most Traveled People, and Every Passport Stamp.    Don’t get #FOMO over 165 people are committed!  Including Jason Wang. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam “one away” Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gin, Philippe ‘JL’ Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine OTB Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to .  My patrons will hear extra content with Jason that you will not hear. Time for our monthly 193 Milestones Segment, where we recognize travel accomplishments in the community.  Today, we will get updates from Steve Schwarms and Virginia Ko.  You will meet Virginia at the ETF in Bangkok. Let’s hear from both of them now.    I will be asking for travelers to submit audio files to recognize travel accomplishments.  To learn more follow the Counting Countries on and accounts and I will be making future call to actions.   I was in Bangkok for this recording while Jason was in Ulan Bator. Please listen in and enjoy.    Thank you to my - you rock!!  ….  Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Dale Wursten, and Sam Williams.    And now you can listen to ! And Alexa!   And write a review!More About Jason Wang Counting Countries:   Where were you born Nanjing, China   What passport (s) do you hold USA  Favorite travel book “Into Thin Air” by John Krakauer  Favorite travel film Lost in Translation  Favorite travel app or website Swarm  Must carry item when traveling (like flashlight, Kindle, deck of cards etc.) iPhone  Favorite food Japanese  Favorite drink Soya Cincau (also known as the Michael Jackson drink)  Favorite airline Japan Airlines  Favorite hotel Nimmo Bay in BC, Canada 11. How to connect with Jason https://www.cityfoodsters.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jwang815/ https://www.instagram.com/jwang815 https://www.threads.net/jwang815 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. Jason Wang Counting Countries

Join us in Bangkok for the Extraordinary Travel Festival in November of 2024.  Please use code – BANGKOK – to save $100.  . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok. First is the destination.  Maybe BKK might seem too common.  Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk.  This is a true onion; you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring. Maybe you are missing some NM regions in Thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep.  Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN.  Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan.  There is so much to see here! Second, is the content.  We have an incredible lineup of speakers.  More will be announced.  Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website.  Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country. And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy.  Then you have found your tribe. So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event.  A hub with great infrastructure at great prices.  The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily. Don’t get FOMO, come join the 160 plus who have already committed.  And how many more will sign up in the next 6 months.  Should be a lot of people! Feel free to go to the website, use code BANGKOK to save $100, and join us in Krung Thep this November.  If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else. I want to introduce three members of the community, three people who are coming to Bangkok, on this special episode.  Meet the attendee!  Please meet Virginia Ko, Zahid Williams, and Doug Mann. First up is Virginia Ko, a traveler who recently passed her 100th country.  Virginia grew up in Maylasia, moved to CA, and recently quit her job to Chase 193.  Wow!   . Next up is Zahid Williams.  Zahid is on his way to 100, but starting off with the challenging countries first.  We even met randomly in the Pacific earlier this year.    And last, I speak with Doug Mann.  Doug is a true expat.  Working for years in Germany and Japan, and now retired in Chiang Mai.    Please listen in and enjoy.

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  You might know Joel from his flowing beard on social media.  Joel is someone I have known of for years but virtually.  And in fact, we ran into each other randomly on our travels in Central Africa.  I speak with Joel and learn about his fascinating journey in life as well as Chasing 193.  Joel was very candid during this conversation about subjects that some people will avoid such as family and his faith.  This made our conversation richer and I appreciate that.   If you are a listener, you have heard this before … the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok.  Discount code BANGKOK for $100, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the . Why would you want to come?  Some might say Bangkok, been there, done that.  And that might be true.  But have you been to every Nomad Mania region in Thailand or every UNESCO site, even the new one, Si Thep, announced in September?  Or maybe you have missed Laos, Burma, or Brunei?  All have direct and economical flights.  Or even Bhutan or Bangladesh.  Think of ETF as the hub and everywhere else the spokes of wherever you want to explore.  Don’t get #FOMO over 160 people are committed! I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gin, Philippe ‘JT’ Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine OTB Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to .  My patrons will hear extra content with Joel that you will not hear. Time for our monthly 193 Milestones Segment, where we recognize travel accomplishments in the community.  Today, we will get updates from Mike Safo (check out his awesome podcast - the ), Luc Jones, who I met in Armenia, and Chantal Patton, who travels as a 5 person family unit.  You will hear their updates throughout the podcast.  Let’s hear from my buddy Mike.  I will be asking for travelers to submit audio files to recognize travel accomplishments.  To learn more follow the Counting Countries on and accounts and I will be making future call to actions.  Here are a couple of milestones to recognize now.   And take a look at GlobalGaz.com and look for Joel’s Counting Countries podcast, I shared the photo of Joel walking over the “bridge” in CAR.  I was in Boston for this recording while Joel was in San Diego. Please listen in and enjoy.    Thank you to my - you rock!!  ….  Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Dale Wursten, and Sam Williams.        And now you can listen to ! And Alexa!   And write a review! 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. Joel Oleson Counting Countries

Join us in Bangkok for the Extraordinary Travel Festival in November of 2024.  Please use code – BANGKOK – to save $100.  . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok.     First is the destination.  Maybe BKK might seem too common.  Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk.  This is a true onion, you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring.   Maybe you are missing some NM regions in thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep.  Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN.  Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan.  There is so much to see here!   Second, is the content.  We have an incredible lineup of speakers.  More will be announced.  Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website.  Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country.   And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy.  Then you have found your tribe.   So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event.  A hub with great infrastructure at great prices.  The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily.   Don't get FOMO, come join the 150 plus who have already committed.  And how many more will sign up in the next 6 months.  Should be a lot of people!    Feel free to go to the website, use code BANGKOK to save $100, and join us in Krung Thep this November.  If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else.   Before I introduce my guest, a name from the past has reappeared.  William Simon Baekeland aka Jesse Simon Gordon aka William Gordon.   Maybe you do not know the back story.     William appeared on the scene years ago, a young, extremely well-traveled individual and the descendent of a billion-dollar fortune.  William won over some of the most experienced travelers and began to organize challenging trips for them.  In fact, I interviewed him for this .   Some of these trips took place, others didn’t, and refunds were scarce.   Harry Mitsisdis after a canceled trip put on his detective hat, and deduced that William Baekeland was really Jesse Simon Gordon from Birmingham, a product of limited means.  In short order, it was revealed that William/Jesse allegedly had fleeced over $800,000 from the travel community.  And I hosted another podcast , where several guests shared their experiences.     William/Simon then appeared to go dark … until now.   This episode was recorded a couple of weeks before the publication, so there will likely be more up to date news.  But it was discovered that William has relocated to Pitcairn Island and was working in some fashion for the government.    I was totally flabbergasted by this discovery.  Really.     William was hiding out in the most remote place in the world where he was most likely to be discovered.    I am sure we will learn a lot more in the future. First up is Marc Jorgensen, a traveler who recently passed his 100th country.  Marc has lived and worked in Brazil and also speaks Portuguese.  Marc and I discuss our joint southern African roadtrip.  Next up is Dima Zemsky.  Dima emigrated to the US from Ukraine as a teenager to start a new life in the states.  Dima is a member of the points community, and the spark of his travels began with a round the world trip.  And last, I speak with Matt Keffer.  Matt has leveraged his career and his business trips around the world into country counting.  He also was a working expat for three years in Germany.   With that in mind, I want to introduce three members of the community, three people who are coming to Bangkok, on this special episode.  Meet the attendee!  Please meet Marc Jorgenson, Dima Zemsky, and Matt Keffer.  Please listen in and enjoy

Nabil Kazi has traveled to 129 countries   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I am excited to share my conversation with Nabil Kazi.  I connected with Nabil Kazi back in 2021 when he suggested a guest (Nick Butter - episode 95) for Counting Countries.  I guess everything comes full circle as Nabil is a guest on this episode. Nabil and I have been in contact ever since and even connected in person for dinner in Bangkok at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Charlie Browns.  Nabil has had two distinct chapters in his adult life.  Chapter One, an executive in the land of Hollywood and Chapter Two, as a full time traveler.  Maybe we can get some behind-the-scenes Hollywood insights.   Some of you might have heard the tragic news from Bamiyan in Afghanistan.  Nabil and I touch on this but while editing there are some greater details.  Apparently, a tour provider from our 193 community brought a group to Afghanistan.  Three Spaniard travelers and three Afghan locals were shot and killed.  In additional six travelers and Afghans were also injured.  Just a reminder when you ask in a conversation or online, “is it safe?” and many people respond, “I just went it is very safe, just go!”.  Remember it was very safe for that traveler, on that specific day, time, and location.  This is a country of 40 million and 250,000 square miles.  That traveler is not a security expert on Afghanistan.   If you are a listener, you have heard this before … the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok.  Discount code BANGKOK of $100, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the . Just a reminder for those who are coming or thinking of coming that we will be hosting the NomadMania Awards live in Bangkok on Sunday evening.  This is the great event that NM has been streaming on YouTube for the last several years.  This is a great opportunity to get together and recognize some travelers who are making a difference.  Don’t forget, Sunday evening, November 17 this year.   I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gin, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to .  My patrons will hear extra content with Wee Cheng that you will not hear.   And remember, we have a new feature on Counting Countries.  The idea is to celebrate wins in the 193 community and involve more people.  The inspiration came from my friends at Club 100 from Sweden.  They have been recognizing milestones on their great IG account - .  So make sure you follow along.  Today, we will get updates from Ted Nims, Justine “off the beaten path” Kirby, Raiiq Ridwan (former guest and ETF speaker).  You will hear their updates throughout the podcast.  Let’s listen to one now.     I will be asking for travelers to submit audio files to recognize travel accomplishments.  To learn more follow the Counting Countries on and accounts and I will be making future call to actions.  Here are a couple of milestones to recognize now.  And take a look at Nabil’s page on GlobalGaz.com Counting Countries page.  I share his Pakistani passport from when he was a small kid.     I was in Boston for this recording while Nabil was in Cali. Please listen in and enjoy.    Thank you to my - you rock!!  ….  Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Dale Wursten, and Sam Williams.        And now you can listen to ! And Alexa!   And write a review! About Nabil Kazi Counting Countries 1.  129 countries (not including Kosovo, Vatican, Palestine and Taiwan) 2.  I was born in Kuwait City, Kuwait 3. I hold a USA Passport 4. Favorite Travel Book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 5. Favorite Travel Film is Eat Pray Love 6. Must Carry Item when Traveling AirPods and Canon Camera 7. Favorite Food is Lebanese 8 Favorite Drink is hot latte with oak milk  9. Favorite Airline is Emirates 10. Favorite Hotel is Aman Resorts 11. Instagram handle is 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. Nabil Kazi Counting Countries