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
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…