Felix Mechnig-Giordano … flirting with disaster in Syria
Release Date: 04/11/2019
Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update VI - Ian Ord - WSE & Justin Murphy - The Murph Foundation
Counting Countries
✈️ 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 … Berhasil
Counting Countries
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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Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update V– Keith Van – seats.aero & Ahmed Abdulrazzaq – Aknaf Al Sawary
Counting Countries
✈️ 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 … Can’t Is Not An Option
Counting Countries
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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Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update IV– Ian Cumming - Travel Massive & Orest Zub - NomadMania
Counting Countries
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 … Plan B & C
Counting Countries
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 … Hugs From Old Mommas
Counting Countries
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 Hoffner … Belonging To The World
Counting Countries
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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Erik Futtrup … Left At The Fork
Counting Countries
Erik Futtrup has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of meeting Erik at ETF II in Bangkok, and I am looking forward to seeing him this October for ETF III. Erik is looking forward to joining the stage at ETF for the UN Master photo as he just accomplished his quest just last year. Erik was early to the internet, real early, in the late 1980s. Erk was connecting with travelers in the early 90s. Think EPS but from 25 years ago. Erik shares his journey to 193, balancing work, family and...
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Konstantin Liorek … Strawberries Forever
Counting Countries
Konstantin Liorek has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Kostia Liorek. I met Kostia at the ETF in Bangkok in 2024, and I’ve known Kostia for years virtually on FB. But on this podcast I really had the pleasure of learning his fascinating story from growing up in Ukraine, taking advantage of opportunities to travel abroad after the fall of the Soviet Union, and his journey to Chasing 193 and beyond. I would like to thank everyone for their support of...
info_outlineKey Links
- https://www.patreon.com/CountingCountries
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Counting Countries Apparel
- Group Trip To Bhutan In November
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On today’s episode, I welcome Felix Mechnig-Giordano to Counting Countries.
Before I introduce Felix, 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. I have been extremely fortunate to be be able to create this podcast and be able to meet so many interesting and compelling travelers, but I have also spent a tremendous amount of time and some money creating this podcast. So for example, some benefits are extended interviews. Some Patrons are able to listen to exclusive additional interviews from former guest like Fabio Cao. And a shoutout to Ted Nims, my newest patron, and a fellow Chicagoan. Welcome and thank you for your support.
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.
Felix as an audacious explorer, who recently shared his story of being detained by the Syrian police for several days. We take a deeper dive into his chilling detention and what transpired. Spoiler alert, he was eventually released. Felix talks about the perfect beach in Kiribati and why he finds Niger fascinating.
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify and write a review, hopefully a positive one.
But for now, here’s my conversation with Felix, who was in Australia while I was in Bangkok. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons …. 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.
More about Felix Mechnig-Giordano:
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Born in: Duesseldorf, Germany
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Passports from: Germany and the United States
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Favorite travel book: Der Weltensammler by Ilja Trojanow
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Favorite travel site: Maps.me is probably the only app I use for practical travel purposes, but I also love using Instagram to connect with travellers and use the been app to keep track of my travel map
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Must carry: Camera and flashlight
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Favorite food: Fruit. Although I love all fruit the one that stands out most is Grenadilla, not just for the flavour but for all the unexpected places you can find it.
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Favorite drink: Nothing too exciting, beyond juice I really enjoy Coke, but my favourite alcoholic drink is a simple gin and tonic.
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Favorite Airline: Turkish airlines, for consistency of service on short flights and for a route selection I love. Also the Turkish lounge in Istanbul is always a highlight
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Favorite Hotel: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Rwanda
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Map: NomadMania
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Instagram: Hidden Frog
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.