Petro Marais … and the slow boat to Laos
Petro has traveled to 63 countries Embed Code: On today’s episode, I welcome Petro Marais to Counting Countries. Petro and I have been internet friends for over a year, as we are both fellow moderators in the Facebook group of Every Passport Stamp. We communicate on a frequent basis, but this was the first opportunity I had to really learn more about her life. Petro is a child of both South Africa and Australia where she spent her formative years, partaking in roadtrips in both countries with her family. After high school she entered the Australian Navy, spending eight years in the service. After leaving the Navy her life of travel began in earnest. Petro shares with us her adventures in Somalia and Afghanistan, and the risks she took. She tells us why she loves Bhutan and considers it a special place. Petro talks about her frustration with Djibouti. I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify. Travel Buff wrote “Really love the concept of this podcast. Interesting to hear [...]
Visiting The Remote, Eastern Part Of Bhutan
Visiting East Bhutan. In the world of tourism, Bhutan is often an afterthought. Miniscule Bhutan located at the end of the Eastern Himalaya is squeezed between twin population bombs of China and India. Only 700,000 people call Bhutan home. Approximately 250,000 tourists made a visit to Bhutan in 2017, with 180,000 visiting from the region (mostly India) with another 71,000 international visitors. This ranks Bhutan at around 150th when it comes to tourist arrivals (France sees about 84 million tourists a year). Approximately 80% of visitors spend their time in the west, visiting the cultural highlights of Thimpu, Paro, and Punakha. What you need to know when you visit Bhutan. But what about the east of Bhutan, where only 20% of the visitors make their way? In the east, you will find the same mountainous beauty, warm people, and rich cultural history. But what you won’t see are the tourists. Well, literally only a handful. It was only at the hotel where I met some fellow travelers, but during the day, I was on my own. I [...]
Visiting West Burkina Faso
Visiting West Burkina Faso. I didn’t expect I would be back in Burkina Faso for a second visit after my initial visit to Ouagadougou, the capital, in 2017. In November of 2018 I partook in a six country West African road trip, which included a drive through Burkina Faso as I exited Ivory Coast and before I headed to Mali. I exited Ivory Coast, yet they neglected to stamp me out. Casual border officials. I entered Burkina Faso without much fuss. My friend/guide/driver, Marlon lives part-time in Bobo and we headed to Banfora, a town in the south of Burkina Faso. Lake Tengrela. We sped off to the lake near sunset. Tourist highlights are to take in the hippos and coast around in a wooden pirogue. But due to the late hour, we missed the hippos and the boat ride. I spent a moment listening to the birds and watching the sun sip behind the lake. Hotel Canne A Sucre. This was a very solid option in Banafora. The room was priced well and came equipped [...]
A Year In Review 2018
A Year In Review 2018. It was a busy travel year in 2018 with some incredible experiences. After spending New Year’s Eve in NYC, I began my country collecting in Fiji (after my flight was delayed for three days due to a Boston snow storm). Fiji was my 116th country. And in November, I visited my 130th country in Africa, Mali. I was able to visit 15 new countries which is quite productive for me (and 16 if you include defacto Abkhazia). The UN states there are 193 sovereign nations, meaning I still have 63 still to visit before I complete my quest. Here are the new countries I visited in 2018 in chronological order. • Fiji • Vanuatu • Kazakhstan • Angola • Namibia • Zimbabwe • Zambia • South Africa • Kyrgyzstan • Tajikistan • Benin • Togo • Ghana • Ivory Coast • Mali and • Abkhazia I made some good progress in 2018. Africa at 54 countries is many people’s personal albatross. Prior to 2018, I had only visited 11 countries on this [...]
Debjeet Sen … and the seduction of travel
Debjeet Sen … and the seduction of travel Debjeet has traveled to 119 countries On today’s episode I will be speaking with world traveler Debjeet Seb. Debjeet was brought to my attention by Ryan Gazder, a fellow moderator of Every Passport Stamp. Ryan spoke very highly about Debjeet and I believe you will be charmed with my conversation with Debjeet. Before I introduce Debjeet, I am announcing 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. I have been extremely fortunate to be be able to create this podcast and to meet so many interesting and compelling travelers, but I have also spent a tremendous amount of time and some money creating this podcast. This is an opportunity for you to support Counting Countries. I have created several tiers of support, each one offering something in return. I will highlight the Senior Executive Producer tier which will give you access to extended interviews with guests of Counting Countries. To check out how [...]
Mali -130th Country
Mali -130th Country. To see where I have been so far, check out my map as I count down the final 93 countries on the road to all 193 UN countries. Mali is my 130th country. Check out the best 193 travel books to read! Eighteen million people make their home in this land-locked western African country. This expansive country spreads north deep into the Sahara, while most people reside in the south. Mali is another former French colony who gained its independence in 1960. In 2012, Mali was subject to a joint attack from Al Qaeda and the ethnic Tuaregs who overran the north and central parts of the country. The French, Malian and other African forces expelled and destroyed these forces, bringing some stability to the nation. After much debate and research, I decided to visit the historic, walled town of Djenne in the center of the country. Travelers should not be visiting to Mali according to the US State Department. Mali has been subject to civil war, terrorist attacks, and kidnappings. Despite these warnings [...]
