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 [...]
Ivory Coast – 129th Country
Ivory Coast 129th 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. Ivory Coast is my 129th country. Check out the best 193 travel books to read! Ivory Coast also known as Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is a former French colony that gained its independence in 1960. From independence until 1993, Félix Houphouët-Boigny ruled Ivory Coast, but since then the country has been subject to volatility with multiple civil wars and coup d’etat. Ivory Coast has the largest economy in the eight country West African Monetary Union driven by cocoa beans and petroleum products. Ivory Coast is surrounded by five neighbors and rests on the Atlantic Ocean with a long coast line. I entered via a land crossing, existing Ghana and entering Ivory Coast in a fairly non-eventful border crossing. I spent a bit of time in Grand-Bassam, a former capital, on the ocean. This is a former French colonial town and also sadly known for [...]
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Ivory Coast – Must-See
Must-See Basilica of Our Lady of Peace Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa for centuries was comprised of several kingdoms. In 1843, Ivory Coast became a protectorate of France until it gained its independence in 1960. Felix Houphouet-Boigny ruled the country from 1960 until 1993 bringing relative stability and prosperity to Ivory Coast. Unfortunately, over the last two decades the country has been marked by several civil wars and a coup d’etat. In 1983, President Houphouet-Boigny, declared Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast’s administrative and political capital. This former village of palm tree plantations was the birthplace of President Houphouet-Boigny. Yamoussoukro became the 4th capital in the last 100 years or so, joining the club with Grand-Bassam, Bingerville, and Abidgan. This nation of 23 million is a multi-ethnic state, with approximately 35% of the population each practicing Christianity and Islam with the remainder practicing traditional animism. Despite the country not being a majority Christian (only approximately 10% are Catholics) nation, Ivory Coast and specifically Yamoussoukro is known for the Basilica of Our Lady [...]
