Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #10 – ETF/ABS Index, Baba Ahmed El Bekay, Ahmed Abdulrazzaq, & NM Awards
Release Date: 09/30/2024
Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update II - ETF/ABS Magellan Travel Index
Counting Countries
The ETF/ABS Magellan Travel Index was announced and premiered at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok in 2024 by founder, João Paulo Peixoto. The professor has recently moved into the #1 position on both the NM and MTP lists. The professor joins us on the ETF to provide an update on the MTI. You can learn more about the . Please remember the Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held in Bangkok from October 22-25 in 2026. You can join and use code BANGKOK to save.
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Thomas Preinl … Inspired By His Grandfathers
Counting Countries
Thomas Preinl has been to 190 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. On this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Thomas Preinl who I met at the NomadMania meeting in Uzbekistan and spent time with him during a recent visit to Thailand. Thomas is one of those characters who has been Chasing 193 but only recently found the extreme travel community. Thomas has benefited with flight benefits due to his employment with Lufthansa for years. As Thomas will share, he is German by birth, but not by character, having a flexible and adaptable travel persona. You...
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Orla Phillips … A Travel Brochure
Counting Countries
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Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update I - Destination Reveal
Counting Countries
Hey now! Welcome to the third season of ETF news and updates. The destination for ETF III will be back to Bangkok, Thailand! The dates will be October 22-25, 2026. Join today to lock in great prices with these discount codes. ETF3 - $140 DISCOUNT – EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 24 ALUMNI - if you are an alumni of ETF I or II please contact me for a bigger discount - expires September 24 as well Tickets are non-refundable, but you may sell your ticket. It will be your responsibility to find the buyer. For more details. www.extraordinarytravelfest.com
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Peter Fenger … The Milk Run
Counting Countries
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Thor Pedersen … Impossible Journey
Counting Countries
Thor Pedersen has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Thor returns for the 4th time to Counting Countries in addition to 7 other episodes for patrons. During this conversation, we speak about his newly published book, The Impossible Journey (). Despite knowing his journey well, this book shares more stories and additional context to his quest. We also overview what he has been doing over the last 2 years since his return from his nearly 10 year journey. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting...
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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
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
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
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...
info_outlineHey now, I am your host Ric Gazarian on the 10th update for the Extraordinary Travel Festival. We have a lot of news to share with you today. So grab that coffee of if in Thailand, grab a chamanow and please listen in.
The event is now about a month and a half a way. But still time to join, use code BANGKOK to save at www.extraordinarytravelfest.com.
Some quick updates ... we have added three new speakers, Luisa Yu, Matt Bowles and Sabbatical Tommy. Luisa is well known in the community for her determination and her multi-decade quest to visit every country in the world. She finished at age 79! So impressive. Matt is the host of the super entertaining the Maverick Show Podcast, where he speaks with amazing travelers from around the world. He will be speaking on his 10 plus years of being a digital nomad. Tommy is a travel content creator on YouTube and also a polyglot! That's cool.
Are you scared of ghosts? Did you know that ghosts play a cental role in Thai culture? We have partnered with Bangkok Haunts to provide you with an introduction to ghosts and spirits in Thailand. We offer a half day tour on November 14 and 18. Check it out!
First, I speak with Professor JP. I think so many of us love lists and rankings. So I am excited to share a new travel index will be premiered at the ETF. The index is called the ETF/ABS Magellan Traveller Index. This will rank the top 100 travelers in the world. We will be sharing this list and announcing the top 3 ranked at ETF. I want to thank both Most Traveled People and NomadMania for partnering with us and sharing their data.
I also speak to 2 great individuals and partners of ETF. These two people are sponsors of ETF and deserve a special thank you for supporting our event. First up is Baba the founder of T'Ore Mauritania. Baba has been welcoming and introducing travelers to this amazing Saharan country. Many members of the extreme travel community know and have traveled with Baba. Please consider Baba if you are travelling to Mauritania. Baba will be exhibiting at ETF as well as moderating a session on Mauritania to answer all of your questions.
I also speak with Ahmed, the founder of Aknaf Alsawary. Ahmed was my guide when I visited Iraq the other year. Ahmed is a virtual sponsor of ETF. Ahmed offers fixed date group tours to Iraq, and he is raffling a 50% off coupon to one of these trips at ETF. In addition, ETF is pleased to announce that we can offer a $150 off these fixed date trips. Click here to check out the agenda and dates. Contact me to get your $150 off his tour. ric @ globalgaz.com
And after I speak with Ahmed, I will do a little recap on the ETF and the NomadMania Travel Awards, nominate your favorite traveler today!
Up first is Baba, please listen in and enjoy.