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Very Hungry Nomads…On Their Reverse Retirement

Counting Countries

Release Date: 08/13/2020

Zsuzsanna Berencsi  … Thanks Tammy show art Zsuzsanna Berencsi … Thanks Tammy

Counting Countries

Zsuzsanna Berencsi has been to every country in the world   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Zsu Berencsi shares with us her awesome travel adventures to every country in the world with a big celebration this past December in her last country, Jamaica.  I have met Zsu twice before at both ETFs and she promises a third.  I got it on tape.  I also reconnected with Zsu at April Peregrino’s 193 party in Bratislava where Zsu arranged a special field trip.     I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my...

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Michael Angelo Zervos … A Happy Moment show art Michael Angelo Zervos … A Happy Moment

Counting Countries

Michael Zervos has been to every country in the world   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This is a bonus episode with Michael Zervos.  I interviewed Michael back in December of 2023, before he had started his quest.  His quest?  To travel to every country in the world in the quickest possible time.  We have heard this before … someone who wants to break the GWR.  And many in the community would ask what is the point?  This is not a race.  What will the traveler gain from spending just a day or two in each country?   And once the record is...

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Jenna Pava … #FOMO show art Jenna Pava … #FOMO

Counting Countries

Jenna Pava has been to 181 countries   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I had the pleasure of meeting Jenna Pava at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, only to discover that we were also  (distant) neighbors in the city. This conversation offered another fantastic opportunity to dive into the story of a truly compelling traveler in our community. Jenna’s early life was marked by a tug-of-war between her birthplace in Russia and her new home in the United States, shaping a deep sense of resilience from a young age. Remarkably, her travel journey took two major turns...

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We Married Adventure … All Shawarma Visits Count show art We Married Adventure … All Shawarma Visits Count

Counting Countries

We Married Adventure have been to 149 & 148 countries   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  I met Angela and Michael Ballard, the couple behind We Married Adventure, who I met at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok.  Angela and Michael at times pushed and pulled between a 9-5 lifestyle and travel.  A wedding vow, an insane travel sabbatical and a retirement from work propelled them fully into the world of extreme travel.  I am fortunate to have these amazing conversations to learn about my guest’s amazing and unique lives.  Angela and Michael...

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Sam Goodwin … Ice Rink Up The Escalator show art Sam Goodwin … Ice Rink Up The Escalator

Counting Countries

Sam Goodwin has traveled to every country in the world   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  This conversation was a long time in the making.  In fact, this interview was originally scheduled in 2020.  But as we say, better late than never.  Sam Goodwin back in the day was just one of us … Chasing 193.  But his life was changed forever during his visit to country 181, Syria.  As 193ers, we are constantly pushing the envelope.  What we consider standard or normal travel is to others somewhere between poorly conceived to outright insanity.  Soon...

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Vance ... My Latin Life show art Vance ... My Latin Life

Counting Countries

Hey now, this is your host, Ric Gazarian.  And today, we have a special episode.  The mission of this podcast is to speak to travelers who have been to every country in the world or who are in the process of completing that goal.  And, this is an amazing community of individuals which I am fortunate to get to speak with. This episode is a bit different since Vance is not Chasing 193, but he is very well traveled.  He comes more from the 2nd passport / permanent residency world, which overlaps here and there with some members of the 193 community. Vance has been a virtual...

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Sandy Cohen … A Different World show art Sandy Cohen … A Different World

Counting Countries

Sandy Cohen has traveled to 102 countries   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  We are back with a new guest, Sandy Cohen.  I have known Sandy for years on social media, and I was fortunate to meet her at both Extraordinary Travel Festivals.  But, this conversation was my opportunity to learn more about Sandy, her life and travels, and I found it to be a fascinating conversation.  Sandy shared tales of her life, from being a chocolatier to hosting a top travel TV show for over a decade to running drugs in Guinea-Bissau.  Well, not exactly.   ...

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Pav Mbeda … Go Big Or Go Home show art Pav Mbeda … Go Big Or Go Home

Counting Countries

Pav Mbeda has traveled to 106 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  We are back with the second episode of 2025.  I hope your travels are off to a good start.  Today, I am happy to share this conversation with Pav Mbeda.  Pav was one of the 250 participants of the sold out Extraordinary Travel Festival.  I reach out to all ticket buyers and was happy to note that Pav was from Kenya.  Whether it is ETF or this podcast, it is great to hear different perspectives and life experiences.  And speaking with Pav, I am reminded how different my upbringing...

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Yooshita Fathi … Breaking Stereotypes show art Yooshita Fathi … Breaking Stereotypes

Counting Countries

Yooshita has traveled to 108 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  A giant Happy New Year to all of you country counters!  We are back today with a new episode after a small break.  Over the past year, you’ve likely heard me mention many times the Extraordinary Travel Festival on this podcast. In November, I had the privilege of organizing this incredible sold-out event in Bangkok, hosting 250 participants over four action-packed days. With 30 inspiring speakers and lively evening events and some amazing sponsors, it was a truly memorable experience. I’m excited...

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The Maverick Show ... Hosted By Matt Bowles show art The Maverick Show ... Hosted By Matt Bowles

Counting Countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  Well not really.  Today I am sharing an interview of me hosted by Matt Bowles who hosts the Maverick Show Podcast.  Matt and I had great conversation and wanted to share it with my listeners.  So, please check out this conversation and also make sure you subscribe to the Maverick Show Podcast.  He has over 300 episodes to binge.  A ton of interesting people.  Including the 2nd part of our conversation on our feed.   The other reason I don’t have one of my typical interviews is things were a bit overwhelming...

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I had the opportunity to speak with world travelers Martina Sebova and Rachel Davey, who comprise the Very Hungry Nomads.  This was my first outing of attempting to interview two people at the same time.  Marty and Rach did an excellent job of moderating the answers.        

It has been a frustrating time for most extreme travelers as we shelter in place around the globe.  There does not seem to be an end in sight when travel will go back to normal.  I hope everyone is well and keeping in safely.   

Thanks to my patrons William Schelling, Steph Rowe, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Stephen Rothwell, and Adam Hickman for supporting Counting Countries. And William, if you are listening, please reach out to me.  They help pay for the production of this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com.  My patrons will hear an extra interview with Marty and Rach which is exclusive to them. 

Untamed Borders is our sponsor and they want to remind you that Covid-19 travel restrictions are slowly being lifted in certain parts of the world. If you are looking for inspiration for your first post Covid trip then check out some of their trips for the 2020-21 winter period in the middle east.

It's been a crazy year for travel. None more so than for Untamed Borders, Counting Countries’s sponsor.  They have been grounded since March but as travel restrictions ease they are arranging some private itineraries to countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, and Lebanon, where entry is permitted without quarantine if you have a negative Covid PCR test result. Contact Untamed Borders for a list of the more interesting places on the planet with this entry system. Please note, you may need to quarantine when returning to your home country.

One trip they have in September where many countries do allow free travel is to Turkey. UB they will be diving into the far south east of the country populated by the Kurdish community. Visiting Diyarbakir, Mardin, and the very rarely visited province of Hakkari, which is high in the mountains on the border where Iraq, Iran, and Turkey meet.

If that is perhaps too soon then maybe check out some of their desert offerings in early 2021.

First up is their trip to what they call the Heart of the Sahara. To the Tadrat Rouge mountains of Southern Algeria. Right on the border with Niger and Libya, this really is an Untamed part of the world and for lovers of desert scenery, their photos of the orange sand and black rocks are spellbinding.

You could also try their new Saudi Arabia itinerary. As well as visiting Jeddah, Riyadh and the UNESCO Maidan Saleh.  They have also added a night camping by the volcanos north of Medina. Who knew that Saudi Arabia contains almost 2000 extinct volcanos. A real trip off the beaten path of a country that is off the beaten path.

Marty and Rach grew up on two independent tracks but with an equal passion for travel.  Their paths crossed in Europe while both worked for the same tour provider.  Taking advantage of the off-season, they teamed up to start exploring other parts of the world.  And of course, this transitioned at one point in traveling to every country in the world.  They share their journey. 

I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, or Spotify and even better if you write a review. Listen to the end of the podcast to hear the latest review from Glimpses of Everywhere in Sweden … “Exactly what I needed!!! Instead of traveling this whole spring and summer (as was my initial plan) I got stuck at home and lost my job. Luckily I found a corona-job, making body bags. What helped me through this tough time was definitely Ric’s podcast. He is such an amazing interviewer, so respectful and nuanced, and a great listener. I love listening to the podcast and with every episode, my bucket list gets longer and longer…”

Also, a quick note to some of my listeners and supporters.  A former guest on Counting Countries who is a bit disgruntled has been harassing some of my listeners.  I apologize for this person’s actions and hope you have not been overly inconvenienced.  

Very Hungry Nomads were in their Covid home base of Australia while I was recording in Bangkok.  Please listen in and enjoy.   

Thank you to my Patrons …. William Schelling, Stephen Rothwell, Steph Rowe, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, and Ted Nims.

Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel!  You can purchase them 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.   

More About Very Hungry Nomads:

  • Born in: Slovakia (Marty)
  • Born in: Australia (Rach)
    Passports: Slovakian (Marty)
  • Passports: Australian (Rach)
  • Favorite Book: The Alchemist (Marty) and Tales of a Female Nomad (Rach)
  • Favorite Travel Film: The Motorcycle Diaries and The Beach
  • Favorite App:  Google Translate
  • Favorite Food: Thai food
  • Favorite Drink: Red Wine and coffee
  • Their Map: Map
  • Their Blog: Very Hungry Nomads
  • Instagram: IG
  • FB: FB

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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. Fewer 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

 

Well… that depends on who you ask! 

An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.  

Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda. Or book a trip through G Adventures.  PS  Thanks!   

 

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