Sascha Grabow … avoiding watermelons on the road

Sascha has traveled to 193 countries

On today’s episode, I welcome Sascha Grabow to Counting Countries.  I noted Sascha’s name on the top of the Nomad Mania’s best traveled for quite some time.  We spent numerous months scheduling this conversation taking into account our travels as well as some time that Sascha spent in prison in the Solomon Islands.

Before I introduce Sascha, I am reminding you 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 creating Counting Countries.  I have been extremely fortunate to be be able to create this podcast and be able to meet so many interesting and compelling travelers, but I have also spent a tremendous amount of time and some money creating this podcast.  So for example, some benefits are extended interviews.  Some Patrons are able to listen to an exclusive additional 20 minute interview with last month’s guest, Petro.  Or a five minute update from Lexie Alford who has traveled to 185 countries. She is just 20 years old.

And in other big news, Counting Countries is offering its first group tour to Bhutan on November 7th. This is a great agenda which I consulted on and helped create.  I have been to Bhutan three times and looking forward to returning once again. Besides seeing amazing things like Tiger’s Nest and the Punakha Dzong, I have scheduled this trip to coincide with two festivals that are taking place. I have also negotiated a daily $25 discount from the mandated government minimums.  Please go to GlobalGaz.com to see more information as well as disclosures.  After Sascha’s interview, I have a brief conversation with Deepak the founder of Raven Tours and Treks, who is rated #1 on TripAdvisor.

Sascha has packed in an incredible amount of travel over his life, currently ranked number three on Nomad Mania.  Sascha goes beyond traditional travel into the exploration category with feats like traversing the Darien Gap, between Panama and Columbia.  Sascha shares with us how he overstayed his Angola transit visa by over 50 days but was saved by a well-connected aunt.  He also tells us about being imprisoned on a remote island in the Solomons for over sixty days.  That does not sounds like a pleasant travel experience to me.

I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify.  Adam Hickman, who himself is a prolific traveler with over 125 countries under his belt  wrote: “A must listen for every country counter globally.  Ric is doing a top job with every episode having a great structure, which offers easy listening. I’m well travelled, but the show is still very inspirational!”

But for now, here’s my conversation with Sascha, who was in Germany for the Christmas holidays while I was in Boston, home of the New England Patriots.  Please listen in and enjoy.

Thank you to my Patrons …. Bisa Myles.

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Check out our friend: Large Minority.  They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.  And watch my full length documentary in Cambodia when I traveled with Large Minority.

More about Sascha Grabow:

• Born in: Germany
• Passport from: Germany
• Favorite travel book: In 80 Days, Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, Karl May
• Favorite travel film: Into The Wild
• Favorite app:   Skyscanner
• Must carry: At least one book
• Instagram: Sascha Grabow
• Map: NomadMania
• Youtube: Sascha Grabow
• Flickr: Sascha Grabow
• Facebook: Sascha Grabow
• Website: Sascha Grabow
• Book: Traveling: 30 Years Around The Planet

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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

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 Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
• The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
• The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 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.  

Check out our friend and his new book:    

The Curious Case of William Baekeland William is a former guest of Counting Countries.  Harry Mitsidis, the author and extreme traveler, traces William’s arrival and unraveling in the travel community.  It is a story worthy of a film … and this book. 

Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.