Samu Viljanen - 193 countries!

Samu Viljanen - 193 countries!

Author: Ric Gazarian June 17, 2016 Duration: 46:37
Download Episode! Samu before the age of 40 had traveled to all 193 countries on earth. And in one fell swoop, traveled to all 53 countries in Africa. Samu is one of seven Finns who have traveled to every country in the world. At the age of 39, he had traveled to every country in the world. Though he went back on the road in 2011 to visit South Sudan when it gained its independence. More about Samu Viljanen: Born in: Finland Passport from: Finland Favorite travel book: Jules Verne's adventure novels - they inspired me when I was a child. Favorite travel site: Hostel World and Booking.com Must carry: Enough memory cards to store pictures, a couple of passport photos, photocopy of your passport info page and possible visas, medication for first aid (ulcer cream, antibiotics for a stomach), small travel alarm with a flashlight, and a small padlock. Favorite food: Fish Favorite drink: Exotic fruit juices in tropical countries Favorite Airline: Turkish Airlines Favorite Hotel: I favor price and location. I mainly stay in hostels. 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 225 countries and territories. The Century Club states that there are 324 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world. The Best Traveled 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. Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.

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
Raiiq Ridwan … The Travel Bug [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:43:47
This is the second publication of this interview. The first podcast had a corrupted file. All audio from the first interview had been deleted after 1 hr and 31 minutes. This publication is the full file. Raiiq has travel…
Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:14
Join us in Bangkok for the Extraordinary Travel Festival in November of 2024. Please use code – BANGKOK – to save $120. Reserve your place today. Want to go to Bhutan? Join us on our side trip to Bhutan. Or you can join…
Thor Pedersen … He Did It!I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:15:27
Thor Pedersen has traveled to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Checking in with multi-repeat guest and travel legend, Thor Pedersen of Once Upon A Saga. For those of us in the know, Thor…
Extraordinary Travel Festival Update II #2 With Lakshmi Parthasarathy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:14
Join us in Bangkok for the Extraordinary Travel Festival in November of 2024. Please use code - BANGKOK - to save $120. Reserve your place today. Want to go to Bhutan? Join us on our side trip to Bhutan. I am pleased to…
Michael Noel … Spinning The Globe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:18:52
Michael Noel has traveled to 192 countries Please fill out this survey and provide feedback - https://forms.gle/1RmLQh7hLuw2Xnc6A Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Checking in with our new guest, Michael Noel and I…
Orest Zub … To The Extreme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:19
Orest Zub has traveled to 132 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Checking in with our new guest, Orest Zub, a name many of you might be familiar with. Orest and I have never met in person, but he falls into…
Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:50
We are pleased to announce that the Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held in Bangkok on November 15, 2024. Please join us and purchase your ticket today. Use code - BANGKOK - to save $120. If you are an alumni of ET…
Ed Hotchkiss ... On The Quest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:43
Check out the Extraordinary Travel Festival Ed Hotchkiss has traveled to 128 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Checking in with our new guest, Ed Hotchkiss. As I note in my conversation, Ed and I have shar…
Ross OC Jennings … Opening Doors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:22:28
Ross OJ Jennings has traveled to 106 countries. Ross OC Jennings Counting Countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Did you note that the intro has been updated? Thanks to Evo the longtime voice of Counting Countr…
David Yang … Always On The Move [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:43
David Yang has traveled to every country in the world. David Yang Counting Countries I feel like I have known David for as long as I have been in the community with our mutual 218 FB friends. David is an outgoing, gregar…