Adam Hickman … striving to travel to every country before he turns 40
Release Date: 05/09/2019
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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. ...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineKey Links
- https://www.patreon.com/CountingCountries
-
Counting Countries Apparel
- Group Trip To Bhutan In November
-----
Hey now… Thank you for joining me on Counting Countries. I’m your host, Ric Gazarian, .
On today’s episode, I welcome Adam Hickman to Counting Countries. Adam is on a mission to visit every country before he turns 40 and moving to the UAE opened up many travel opportunities.
Before I introduce Adam, a quick reminder 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 an exclusive Counting Countries Extra with former guests Sal Lavallo or Lexie Alford.
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.
Adam had thoughts of travel as a kid as he studied maps and spun globes. His dream of traveling to every country became more concrete, when he left the UK to work in Dubai. Using Dubai as a hub he supercharged his travels racking up countries. Adam shares with us recent visits to Syria and Yemen. And shares an amusing anecdote traveling with fellow 193ers and the police in Sao Tome and Principe.
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 Adam while I was recording in Bangkok and Adam was in UAE. A special thanks to Adam for his patience as we encountered too many technical difficulties. 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 Adam Hickman:
-
Born in: Northamptonshire, UK
-
Passports from: UK
-
Favorite travel film: The Way or The Motorcycle Diaries (only subtitled film I’ve ever watched)
-
Favorite travel site: Country Counter, Check my Trips, flightdiary.net
-
Must carry: Camera & Lenses - Sony A630
-
Favorite drink: Water (non alcoholic) Gin & Tonic (alcoholic)
-
Website: Hick Hiker
-
Instagram: Hick Hiker
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 226 countries and territories.
-
The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
-
The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
-
The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 regions.
-
SISO says there are 3,978 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.