Robert A. (Bob) Bonifas … is ranked #2 on MTP

Robert A. (Bob) Bonifas … is ranked #2 on MTP

Author: Ric Gazarian October 4, 2018 Duration: 1:39:53
Key Links Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa --------------------------------------- On today's episode, I spoke with Bob Bonifas. I have seen Bob's name on the top of the Most Traveled People's list. MTP divides the world into 874 places and Bob is currently ranked #2 on the list. I had the opportunity to visit Bob in his office in Aurora, a suburb of Chicago. His spacious office was filled with a ton of travel mementos. Bob did not take his first flight until the age of 30, but since then he has racked up several million plus miles and then some. Bob founded Alarm Detection Systems and became involved with the industry associations. With his involvement in the association he began to travel more and more, expanding his horizons. Bob learned about Travelers' Century Club and MTP and being a Type A personality he quickly became hooked on travel. He rapidly picked up new countries and territories, moving up on the list. He is now in a friendly competition with his IL neighbor, Don Parrish, who is ranked #1. Bob touches on the great difficulty of finishing of the MTP list as you near the end. Many of his final territories are remote or require permission to visit. These trips tend to be expensive. And very frustratingly, the visit is not guaranteed. Many of these territory visits are accomplished by ship, and sometimes the oceans are so rough, it is not possible to land. 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 like Swissdogg from the US did. "As an avid traveler myself...Rick and his guests are an inspiration. So far I have been to 63 countries...looks like I have some work ahead of me!" Swissdogg good luck on your next 63 countries and thanks for the compliments, I can feel my head getting bigger. I also want to say a quick hello to our fans around the world … from Paraguay to Afghanistan, from Angola to Haiti and over 100 different countries. But for now, here's my conversation with Bob. We are both in the Aurora, IL known as the Land of Lincoln. Please listen in and enjoy. Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon. More about Robert A. (Bob) Bonifas: Born in: Aurora, IL Passports from: US Must carry: Satellite phone and a Garmin InReach Favorite drink: Diet Cherry Coke Favorite Airline: UAL

The journey to visit every country on the map is a pursuit that defines a life, blending obsession, logistics, and profound personal discovery. Counting Countries, hosted by Ric Gazarian, explores this rarefied world through conversations with the travelers who are doing it. This isn't a typical travel podcast about tips or destinations; it's about the human stories behind the stamps. Each episode delves into the motivations, the decades-long itineraries, the close calls, and the unexpected moments of connection that happen along the way. Listeners hear firsthand accounts of what it truly costs-financially, emotionally, physically-to chase this singular goal. The podcast naturally examines the shifting definitions of travel and countryhood, the ethical considerations of crossing borders for a list, and the quiet reflections that come from a lifetime of movement. Gazarian guides these discussions with the insight of someone who understands the quest, creating a space for honest talk about an endeavor fewer people have completed than have gone to space. It’s about the texture of the world, one border at a time, and the unique perspective gained from seeing all of it. Tune in for intimate narratives that go far beyond passport counts, revealing the deeper meaning of a global life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 166

Counting Countries
Podcast Episodes
Extraordinary Travel Festival Update #5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:48
To learn more about the Extraordinary Travel Festival in October 2022 in Yerevan, Armenia, please take a look at our website. www.Extraordinarytravelfestival.com To buy a ticket, use code ETF to save $50. https://extraor…
Jorge Serpa … Worst Day On The Road [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:40
Jorge caught my attention when I came across his blog. He is a true global citizen with an early move with his his family to Mozambique from Portugal followed by Venezuela and then attaining his higher education in the U…
The Cassie De Pecol Lawsuit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:17
I am your host Ric Gazarian. This is another special episode from counting countries. Expect to hear a traditional deep dive episode next week. But this episode is timely. It coincides with the publication of a Washingto…
Drew Binsky … We Are All The Same [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:42
Drew made his first appearance on Counting Countries in 2017 when we both were Wanderers for G Adventures, the global travel company. We also crossed paths in Bangkok when Thor Pedersen passed through Thailand. Drew and…
Extraordinary Travel Festival Update #4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:39
On this episode I am speaking with Harry Mitsidis, the founder of NomadMania. We spoke with Harry Mitsidis on the last episode when he shared that the 2nd Annual NomadMania Travel Awards. Harry will also be hosting a tri…
Extraordinary Travel Festival Update #3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:29
A Conversation With Harry Mitsidis And Julian Carnall Of Large Minority On this episode I am speaking with Harry Mitsidis, the founder of NomadMania and Julian Carnall, the founder of Large Minority. Harry has big news t…
Extraordinary Travel Festival Update #2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:00
This is the Counting Countries Extraordinary Travel Festival Update #2 On this episode I am speaking with Charles Veley, the founder of the Most Traveled People, and Gianluca Pardelli, the founder of Soviet Tours. Charle…
Mette Ehlers Mikkelsen … Four Generations Of Female Travelers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:33
Extraordinary Travel Festival How Many Countries Are There In The World video Support Counting Countries at Patreon The new Counting Countries Merch Store Mette and I had been connected on Facebook via Every Passport Sta…
Tommy Shuai Shao … Chasing 244 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:20:50
Key Links How Many Countries Are There In The World video Support Counting Countries at Patreon The new Counting Countries Merch Store Thank you to my Patrons…Phillip Jones, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Thor Pedersen, Steph R…
Counting Countries - Special Announcement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
Join us in Yerevan, Armenia from October 14 -16, 2022 at the Armenia Hotel Yerevan for the Extraordinary Travel Festival This will be a multi-day event with great and inspiring speakers And at night we will be hosting pa…