Benin – 126th Country
Benin – 126th 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. Benin is my 126th country. Check out the best 193 travel books to read! Benin sits in the corner of Africa between giant Nigeria and twin sliver Togo on the Gulf of Guinea. It is a nation of 10 million with many earning a living from subsistence agriculture. Benin earned its independence from the French in 1960. From the 17th-19th Benin was ruled by the Dahomey Kingdom. I arrived in tropical Cotonou after a long flight, Benin’s biggest city located on the coast. I spent time visiting the UNESCO Royal Palaces of Dahomey, the stilt village of Ganvie, and Ouidah. Ouidah was part of the Slave Route, playing a role in the slave trade from the 17th-19th century. Read about my visit to the Ganvie, the stilt village. Gate of No Return Benin – 126th Count
Visiting Ganvie Lake Village Benin
Visiting Ganvie Lake Village Benin. I sauntered onto the dock, which edged out into the lake. A sharp sun beat down on me despite the morning hour. A series of staircases met a multitude of pirogues that bobbed in the water, which magically hovered just above the waterline. The pirogues were filled with wares, coming and going. Fish coming in from the village on stilts and everything else that a town of 20,000 required heading out. Ganvie was founded in either the 16th or 17th century as the natives of present-day Benin moved to the lake to avoid slavers. These were the Tofinu people who were avoiding the Fon tribesmen who were trading slaves with the Europeans. In reality, the lake provided minimum impediments to the Fon, but the tribesmen’s religious practices forbid raids dwelling on water. This provided the catalyst for this community on the lake. Check out this great overview of Benin. A unique culture developed for generations on Lake Nokoue. Ganvie is a fully functional town built on stilts. The town [...]
Danay Bustamante … introduces us to the three wisemen of Burkina Faso
Danay has traveled to 105 countries On today’s episode, I welcome Danay Bustamante to Counting Countries. I learned about Jenna from previous guest, Henrik Jeppesen, who introduced us via email. It took Danay and I several months to connect due to conflicting schedules. Danay was born in Cuba, was separated for years from her father who moved to Mexico, and she eventually reunited with her father via a trip to the UK. Growing up she developed her twin passions of travel and dance. Her love of salsa has opened many doors around the world, creating new friendships and providing new travel opportunities. She has danced in some of the unlikeliest countries. Danay talks about how she was propelled into the world of counting countries during a visit to Africa for an extended time. She talks about challenging experiences in Haiti, why Botswana is not on the top of her list, and why she loves El Salvador. And Danay shares with us a story about Burkina Faso and the magic of travel. And during this episode, we speak [...]
Jenna Klotz … making friends in Mogadishu
Jenna is only 6 countries away from completing her quest On today’s episode, I welcome Jenna Klotz to Counting Countries. I learned about Jenna from two previous guests; Randy williams traveled with her in Armenia and Artsakh, and Lexie Alford randomly met her in the Pacific. Jenna is also living in Chicago and our interview coincided with my summer visit to my home in Chicago. So taking advantage, Jenna and I set up a time to meet. Instead of playing with dolls as a kid in Michigan, Jenna pretended to be a travel agent, planning trips for her family. At college, she didn't do one semester abroad, she did three semesters abroad! Travel was in her blood. After college, she ended up teaching in a small town in Hungary. This stay in Hungary in conjunction with European discount airlines, propelled her into the world of counting countries. During our conversation, jenna, talks about a 55 foot rogue wave that disabled the ship she was on, money mishaps in Mauritania, the beauty of the Bolivian salt flats, [...]
Faces Of Bhutan, Part II
Faces Of Bhutan, Part II. I have traveled to Bhutan three times, approximately spending a month in the country. I have also worked with a local travel operator as a consultant for three years. If you need advice or help, planning a trip to Bhutan, please email me at Ric @ GlobalGaz.com I highlighted some of the great people I met during my trip in 2017 in Bhutan. I was back to visit the Kingdom of Bhutan in 2018 and was fortunate enough to visit the eastern part of the country. My first visit in Bhutan was in 2005, to the three main towns in the west. At times, I felt like I was the only visitor in the country. During my second visit in 2017, I revisited the same three towns; Thimpu, Paro, and Punakha. These three incredible places are full of history and culture. But I noted in 2017, that tourists had discovered Bhutan. While compared to any mass tourist destination, the tourists in the west of Bhutan, were still just a drop in the [...]
Trongsa Dzong, My Favorite Dzong In Bhutan
Trongsa Dzong Bhutan. I have traveled to Bhutan three times, approximately spending a month in the country. I have also worked with a local travel operator as a consultant for three years. If you need advice or help, planning a trip to Bhutan, please email me at Ric @ GlobalGaz.com Calling all Disney location scouts. I have found the setting for your next fairy-tale, animation film, Trongsa Dzong. Right now, I am envisioning a princess swirling around in the courtyard while a sweeping soundtrack plays in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCPRcAvB7MU What is a Dzong? It is a combination of a fortress, monastery, and an administrative section. There are 20 Dzongs spread across Bhutan. The Dzongs are still used actively today, but there is no need for the fortress aspect in today’s peaceful climate. Most visitors to Bhutan will see three fantastic Dzongs in the west of Bhutan. The three most popular Dzongs are in Thimpu, Paro, and Punakha. But on my third visit to Bhutan, I spread my wings and explored the east and central parts of Bhutan. [...]
