Live From Sealand! … Extreme Travelers Gather & A Conversation With Prince Michael
Release Date: 07/11/2019
Counting Countries
✈️ ETF III Update #7: Bangkok 2026 Hey now! I am your host Ric Gazarian, and I am here with the seventh update for the (ETF III), happening October 22-25, 2026, in Bangkok. We have 4 amazing days of community, content, and exploration of Bangkok and beyond. Over 190 people have committed to joining ETF III. Use code BANGKOK to join and save $100. 🎉 Community, Content & Exploration We will have amazing community and networking: lunches, coffees, a dinner, a party, a meetup, and the NomadMania Awards. We have amazing content, over 40 speakers will take the stage over 4...
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Avi Ivan Counting Countries has been to every 166 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Avi Ivan, who I just met at the TCC meeting in Hanoi. And when he decided to attend ETF I thought it would be a great opportunity to bring him on as a guest and get to learn his story. I was in Boston while Avi was in Miami for this recording. Please listen in and enjoy. 🙏 Patron Shoutout I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them! Bisa "fully nomadic" Myles,...
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✈️ ETF III Update #6: Bangkok 2026 Hey now! I am your host Ric Gazarian, and I am here with the sixth update for the (ETF III), happening October 22-25, 2026, in Bangkok. We have 4 amazing days of community, content, and exploration of Bangkok and beyond. Over 175 people have committed to joining ETF III — 25 additional people have joined since the last podcast just 4 weeks ago. Use code BANGKOK to join and save $100. 🎉 Community, Content & Exploration We will have amazing community and networking: lunches, coffees, a dinner, a party, a meetup, and the NomadMania Awards. We...
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Dr Tim Astandu has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Tim Astandu. Tim and I have been in the same room three times in less than 12 months … Addis Ababa, Hanoi, and Lisbon, but today was a great opportunity to learn about his life and travels and it didn’t disappoint. A mother who wrote for NatGeo, extensive schooling in the UK, and then of course … Chasing 193. And do not forget a special serenade in DPRK. Tim will be attending the ETF and you will be able to...
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✈️ ETF III Update #5: Bangkok 2026 Hey now! I am your host Ric Gazarian. And I am here with the fifth update for the Extraordinary Travel Festival for October 22-25, 2026 in Bangkok. We have 4 amazing days of community, content, and exploration of Bangkok and beyond. Over 150 people have committed to joining ETF III. 💰 Price Increase Coming July 1 On July 1, the price of tickets will be increasing. The code BANGKOK will still be valid with a $100 discount. So if you want to lock in the lower price, do so now, and 🎉 Community, Content & Exploration We will have amazing...
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Jason Mayfield has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Mayfield. Jason was propelled into his travel life as a high school student on a 5 week school trip to Siberia and he never looked back. Jason finished 193 in 2016 but has been travelling continually since then. Jason will be attending the ETF and you will be able to meet him in Bangkok. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know...
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Join the in Bangkok, October 22-25, 2026. Use code BANGKOK to save on your ticket. One of the goals of the Extraordinary Travel Festival is to bring the leaders of the travel industry together. Why? We want to make your travels richer and more meaningful. Hearing from these thought leaders keeps you abreast of changes and benefits that can help you. We have founders and leaders like Matt Gray of Pangea, Stefan Krasowski of Every Passport Stamp, and Orest Zub of NomadMania and Ian Cumming of Travel Massive with the last two who are joining me...
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Mihai Dascalu has been to 99 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mihai Dascalu. I met him at the ETF in Bangkok in 2024, and I am excited he is coming back this October. Mihai and his family left all he knew in Romania to start anew in the US. He and his family went on an epic family journey for over a year. We touch on this and his desire to Chase 193. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love...
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Sherri Donovan has been to 187 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sherri Donovan, a well-known member of the community. I was taken aback when Sherri shared her solo international travels as a young teenager — a true free spirit. These early adventures paved the way for a truly global life of travel. You can meet Sherri at the third in Bangkok this October. Don’t miss out! 🎧 Listen to Counting Countries Alexa: “Play Counting Countries podcast” 🙏 Thank You to Our Patrons I would like to thank everyone...
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Barry has published his memoir Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This is a special episode with Barry Hoffner. Barry is a former guest on Counting Countries and I encourage you to listen to this episode to hear his entire story. I followed Barry on IG and then connected with him over a call. Barry is an accomplished traveler but what I noted was his impressive philanthropic work in West Africa. In fact, I was so impressed I invited Barry to be a keynote speaker at the ETF in Bangkok in 2024. His story of giving back needed to be shared. ...
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- Support Counting Countries, and check out these trips from G Adventures
- https://www.patreon.com/CountingCountries
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Counting Countries Apparel
- Group Trip To Bhutan In November
- Group Trip To Madagascar
- Visiting Sealand
- Principality of Sealand
- Extreme Travelers International Congress
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On today’s episode, I speak with eight extreme travelers at Sealand. Well, let me explain that, the interviews did not take place at Sealand, but at the nearby port of Harwich in England. And yes, these interviews are recorded, so it is really not live. But, I loved the title … Live From Sealand.
I am reminding you that Counting Countries is now partnered with Patreon. Patreon is a platform that allows patrons, that’s you, to support creators, and that is me creating Counting Countries. Thanks to new patron, Adam Hickman, who is also a former guest. Make sure you check out his interview and his blog, Hick Hiker. And thanks to my other patrons, Bisa Myles, Ryan Gazder, and Ted Nims. As thanks, they are able to listen to additional interviews, only available to them.
And a reminder, Counting Countries is offering its first group tour to Bhutan on November 7th. This is a great agenda which I consulted on and helped create. I have been to Bhutan three times and looking forward to returning for a fourth time. Besides seeing amazing things like Tiger’s Nest and the Punakha Dzong, I have scheduled this trip to coincide with two festivals. I have also negotiated a daily $25 discount from the mandated government minimums. Please go to GlobalGaz.com to see more information as well as disclosures. And I am announcing a new trip to Madagascar in August of 2020 with G Adventures.
As some of you might know, the Extreme Travel International Congress met in June at the Principality of Sealand, considered by some to be the smallest country in the world. Sealand is a former military fortification built in the North Sea. ETIC is organized by Kolja Spori and has had previous meetings in places like Grozny, Mogadishu, and Baghdad. Twenty-five extreme travelers gathered at this congress; including the founders of Nomad Mania (Harry Mitsidis) and MTP (Charles Veley) as well as the president of TCC (JoAnn Schwartz). I was able to sit down with eight travelers for brief interviews during my visit. Some are familiar faces, and others are brand new to Counting Countries. I also want to thank ETIC for recognizing Counting Countries with their Community Award.
The guests for this episode are -
Kolji Spori
Joao Paulo Peixoto
Michael Runkel
Jeroen Agneessens
Gustav Adolf Junge
Per Besson
Mike Kendall
David Yang
And after the interview with the extreme travelers I am very excited to share that I will be speaking with Prince Michael of Sealand. Prince Micheal is a direct descendant of the Sealand’s founder, Prince Roy. Prince Michael shares with us the amazing history of Sealand.
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify and write a review, even better if it is 5 stars.
But for now, here’s my conversation with eight awesome travelers and an extended interview with Prince Michael. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons …. Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims & Ryan Gazder.
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 friend: Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon. And watch my full length documentary in Cambodia when I traveled with Large Minority.
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!
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The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
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The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
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The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
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The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
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The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 regions.
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SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
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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 friend and his new book:
The Curious Case of William Baekeland William is a former guest of Counting Countries. Harry Mitsidis, the author and extreme traveler, traces William’s arrival and unraveling in the travel community. It is a story worthy of a film … and this book.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
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Produced by Simpler Media