Indy Nelson has traveled to every country in the world.
I learned about Indy from former guest, Lexie Alford who mentioned she had collaborated with him in regard to the document collection phase of her quest to earn a Guinness World Record. I had learned that Indy himself attempted to earn a Guinness World Record for being the youngest male to have traveled to every country in the world.
Thanks to my patrons Simen Flotvik Mathisen, William Schelling, Steph Rowe, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, and Adam Hickman for supporting Counting Countries. They help pay for the production of this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. And at this time, I want to welcome two new patrons … one you are very familiar with, Thor Pedersen of Once Upon A Saga, and also Phillip Jones. Phillip stated he enjoys the podcast because “each guest has unique stories to share”. Phillip like many of us has had his travels interrupted this year, but has a great list of countries that he is planning on visiting including Egypt, Israel, Peru, Bolivia, and Portugal. My patrons will hear the final part of my conversation with Indy.
In 2021, I will be publishing podcasts every other month. So that will be six podcasts a year with the next one being in February. Each podcast takes a fair amount of time to create and after 94 of them so far, I want to dial back on my time commitment. Thanks everyone for their continued support.
I want to share a new video I just published on Youtube, I am hoping to get feedback from the extreme traveler community. The video titled, How Many Countries Are There In The World, is a deep dive into an eternal debate within the community. Take a look, and tell me if you think I am right or wrong.
And ready to do your holiday shopping? Check out the new Counting Countries Merch Store.
Remember please subscribe wherever you listen. If you like the podcast, maybe write a review like Caesar Rosas from Canada who wrote, “if you love to travel…there is no better podcast”. Do you agree with Caesar? Feel free to write your own comment.
Indy is in the subset of those chasing 193 and also pursuing a GWR. Indy was successful in traveling to every country in the world, but met several challenges working with the GWR to claim his record. We discuss this and much more in his journey to travel to every country in the world.
Indy was in Cali while I was recording in Bangkok. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons …. Phillip Jones, Thor Pedersen, William Schelling, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Steph Rowe, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles & Ted Nims.
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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
More About Indy Nelson Counting Countries:
- Born in: USA
- Passports: USA
More Data Provided By Indy Nelson Counting Countries:
WORLD RECORD TITLES
Most airlines flown on | 194 flown airlines August 5, 2019
Broken record: 189 flown airlines – Ryuji Furusho on 03/17/14
Fastest time to visit all sovereign countries | 1 year and 174 days November 11, 2017
Broken record: 1 year and 193 days – Cassandra DePecol on 02/02/17
Fastest time to visit all sovereign countries (male)
Broken record: 3 years and 98 days – Yili Liu on 12/29/10
Youngest person to travel to all sovereign countries | 24 years and 3 days
Broken record: 24 years and 174 days – Eric Nguyen on 05/16/17
Youngest person to travel to all sovereign countries (male)
Broken record: 24 years and 174 days – Eric Nguyen on 05/16/17
Fastest time to visit all African countries | 223 days September 24, 2017
Youngest person to visit every country in Europe | 22 years and 323 days September 26, 2016
LIFELONG STATISTICS
528,198 Total Flown Miles
1,056 Total time flying in the air (528,198/500)
464 Flights flown
289 Airports visited by flight
209 Sovereign states and constitute countries visited
203 Sovereign states visited
194 Flown airlines
155 Flown airlines for Guinness Most Airlines flown on record
153 Currency types used
103 Flown airlines in one year between Dec 10, 2016 – Dec 9, 2017
7 United States Passports
Record Holder
9 Record breakers of youngest and fastest
7 Record breakers under 30
ODYSSEY STATISTICS
9,415 Documentation pages submitted
7,404 Photo album catalog – each edited in lightroom
405 Days traveled
350+ Hotel/hostel lodged
202 Sovereign States visited (197 counted toward Guinness)
197 Photo in Country 197/197; 100%
184 Stamp in Country 184/197; 93.4%
160 Footage in Country 160/197; 81.3%
149 Currency types used
4 United States Passports
Cost
$106,649 Total cost of trip
$8,708 Spent on Visa’s
45% Loan financed
55% From savings
Entry
316 Passport stamps
125 Not Required 125/203; 61.6%
49 Prior Arrangement 49/203; 24.1%
32 Consular Visa
9 E-visa
8 Letter of Invitation
29 Visa on arrival 29/203; 14.3%
Hours
1,771 Logistical hours
775 Paperwork hours
Social Media
4,048 Published photos on Flickr
435 Posted on Instagram
97 Videos on YouTube
Transport
296,837 Total miles traveled
279,041 Flown miles traveled 94%
17,796 Surface miles traveled 6%
302 Flight
269 Taxi
126 Airlines flown (Published as 145 previously)
120 Public Bus
75 Train
51 Uber
47 Metro
45 Mini-Bus
14 Tuk-Tuk
Witness Statement
151 Total witness statements attained
101 Witness Statements in Country 101/197; 51.3%
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 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 949 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 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.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if from some of these links like if you order from Amazon/Agoda/etc. Or book a trip through G Adventures. PS Thanks! Indy Nelson Counting Countries.
Photos From Chernobyl
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wonderful implementation of materials…….look forward to more
Thanks!!
but thanks anyway… it looks/sounds like a compliment
wonderful implementation of materials!…
what does that even mean??