Jonny has been on the road for nearly a decade in a half and has covered a lot of ground. Jonny was inspired to travel by both ice cream and football. He sold ice cream for four summers in his twenties and his coworkers hailed from 20 different countries, opening his eyes to the world. Jonny’s other passion is football. And as a kid he collected stickers of World Cup competitors from around the world.
Jonny loves travel and he has a special interest in micronations. Jonny has met Jonathan I, Emperor of Austenasia and was the first backpacker to visit the nation. He also visited the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a unique political and geographical entity.
Jonny shares stories of traveling to New Zealand and partaking in adventure sports and meeting tons of other travelers. He explains the challenges of traveling in China and the rewards that are earned by visiting this amazing nation. He shares with us the beauty of Afghanistan and his discomfort when visiting Venezuela.
Jonny joined me from Poland while I was in Boston, please join in and listen to today’s episode.
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Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Jonny Blair:
- Born in: Newtownards, Northern Ireland
- Passports from: Irish and British
- Favorite travel book: Micronations by Lonely Planet
- Favorite websites: My own website, Wikipedia, and Wandering Earl
- Must carry: Northern Ireland Flag
- Favorite food: Ulster Fry and Pierogi
- Favorite drink: Guiness and Earl Grey Tea
- Favorite airline: Ryan Air and Wizz Air
- Favorite hotel: Sarovar Portico, Port Blair India or Xanadu in Belize
- Twitter: Jonny Blair
- Facebook: Don’t Stop Living
- Website: Northern Irishman in Poland and Don’t Stop Living
- Instagram: Jonny Don’t Stop Living
All photos of James provided by James Asquith Travel
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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. 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 325 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique 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.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
Photos From Chernobyl
Sign up to receive your free copy of Photos From Chernobyl. Over 100 photos from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
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It looks that you had a great time there and had an amazing experience of this World. Thanks for sharing it with us glad to read it.
Hi Ric, It was great to be on the series and I look forward to hearing more of these Podcasts – they are great!! Since the interview, I am up to 115 on the UN count so I guess it’s the countdown of 78 now!! It should be a challenge as I like to backpack some obscure and non UN countries on the way. Best wishes on your next trips and catch up soon. Jonny
It was great having you on and hearing your travel tales.
Great luck on the next 78 and of course all of the micro-nations!
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