Mihai Dascalu … Plan B & C

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 first met Mihai at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok in 2024, and I am excited he will be returning again this October. Mihai and his family made the bold decision to leave everything behind in Romania to start a new life in the United States. Along the way, they embarked on an epic family journey lasting over a year. We dive into that experience, as well as his ongoing pursuit to Chase 193.

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🙏 Thank You to Our Patrons

I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them:

Bisa “fully nomadic” Myles, Ted Nims, Adam “one-away” Hickman, Steph “Phuket” Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Philippe “BC” Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Peter Fenger, Mihai Dascalu, Ryan Knott, Zipping Around The World Podcast, and Shawn McDonough.

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Patrons receive access to the full conversation with Mihai as well as other goodies.

🌏 Extraordinary Travel Festival

📍 Bangkok
📅 October 22–25, 2026

Join us and use code BANGKOK.

We are excited to welcome Mike Boisvert, also known as the Skate Nomad. He is on a mission to skateboard to every country in the world. What truly stood out was watching him skate with the Skater Girls of Ethiopia — an incredible story. Check out the reels!

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🌍 Community Updates

I will be speaking at the Traveler’s Century Club (TCC) meeting in Hanoi this May, sharing insights from 150 in-depth conversations with the world’s most traveled people.
For those in the 193 Masters community looking to connect with other 193ers, there is a UNESCO tour in Portugal in early June — reach out to MTP’s Justyna.
NomadMania will be hosting a trip to Brazil in June — I attended their Fergana event and it was fantastic.
In July, come meet meet in NYC to hear Barry Hoffner, author of Belonging To The World, who be doing a reading. Want to come? RSVP at exploringed@gmail.com
Travel Massive will host events in Da Nang and Hoi An in August, where I will be moderating a travel tech startup contest.

So many great events this year — hope to see you all in Bangkok at ETF!

Latest Travel Fashions

🎙️ Episode Notes

Ric was in Bangkok while Mihai was in New York for this recording.

Please listen in and enjoy.

🔗 More About Mihai Dascalu Counting Countries

📚 Books (affiliates)

Thor Pedersen

The Impossible Journey (Amazon Kindle)
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Barry Hoffner

Belonging To The World

🌍 About Counting Countries

Counting Countries is the only podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of those on the singular quest to visit every country in the world.

Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have gone to space.

Theme music: Demeter’s Dance, written and performed 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 to every country in the world at GlobalGaz.com