Live From Sealand! … Extreme Travelers Gather & A Conversation With Prince Michael
25 Extreme Travelers Gather At The Extreme Travel International Congress
On today’s episode, I speak with eight extreme travelers at Sealand. Well, let me explain that, the interviews did not take place at Sealand, but at the nearby port of Harwich in England. And yes, these interviews are recorded, so it is really not live. But, I loved the title … Live From Sealand.
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. Thanks to new patron, Adam Hickman, who is also a former guest. Make sure you check out his interview and his blog, Hick Hiker. And thanks to my other patrons, Bisa Myles, Ryan Gazder, and Ted Nims. As thanks, they are able to listen to additional interviews, only available to them.
And I am announcing a new trip to Madagascar in August of 2020 with G Adventures.
As some of you might know, the Extreme Travel International Congress met in June at the Principality of Sealand, considered by some to be the smallest country in the world. Sealand is a former military fortification built in the North Sea. ETIC is organized by Kolja Spori and has had previous meetings in places like Grozny, Mogadishu, and Baghdad. Twenty-five extreme travelers gathered at this congress; including the founders of Nomad Mania (Harry Mitsidis) and MTP (Charles Veley) as well as the president of TCC (JoAnn Schwartz). I was able to sit down with eight travelers for brief interviews during my visit. Some are familiar faces, and others are brand new to Counting Countries. I also want to thank ETIC for recognizing Counting Countries with their Community Award.
The guests for this episode are –
- Kolji Spori
- Joao Paulo Peixoto
- Michael Runkel
- Jeroen Agneessens
- Gustav Adolf Junge
- Per Besson
- Mike Kendall
- David Yang
And after the interview with the extreme travelers I am very excited to share that I will be speaking with Prince Michael of Sealand. Prince Micheal is a direct descendant of the Sealand’s founder, Prince Roy. Prince Michael shares with us the amazing history of Sealand. And you can check out my conversation with Prince James and Liam.
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify and write a review, even better if it is 5 stars.
But for now, here’s my conversation with eight awesome travelers and an extended interview with Prince Michael. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons …. Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims & Ryan Gazder.
Live From Sealand
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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.
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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 Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 891 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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Check out our friend and his new book:
The Curious Case of William Baekeland William is a former guest of Counting Countries. Harry Mitsidis, the author and extreme traveler, traces William’s arrival and unraveling in the travel community. It is a story worthy of a film … and this book.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
Live From Sealand
Photos From Chernobyl
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Great work, Ric!
Thanks for putting this long interview together about the ETIC –
the Extreme Traveler International Congress.
Interesting insights from other extreme travelers.
And unique insight into one of the least visited countries: The Principality of Sealand.
Kolja…great to be part of the community and part of the trip!
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