Stefan and Jakob have both traveled to all 193 UN countries.
I welcome back returning guests, Stefan and Jakob. I spoke to both of them in 2017 when they were nearing their quest of traveling to every country in the world. And in 2019, they both completed their quest, so I thought it would be interesting to check back in with them. Jakob is also known for traveling with his family, and I also spoke with Charlotte Felk, Jakob’s long time partner, who is an accomplished traveler in her own right who has been to 119 countries.
Counting Countries is offering its first group tour to Madagascar in August of 2020. Please reach out to me with any questions on this trip. In addition, if you are planning trips to places like Antarctica, Svalbard, Galapagos, please consider my partner G Adventures and use my link.
I am reminding you that Counting Countries is partnered with Patreon. Patreon is a platform that allows patrons, that’s you, to support creators, and that is me creating Counting Countries. And thanks to my other patrons, Steph Rowe, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Ryan Gazder, and Adam Hickman. I want to welcome new patron, Stephen Rothwell. Stephen is chasing 193, yet he has a more extensive list he is working on. As thanks, they are able to listen to additional interviews like the full interview I did with Charlotte Felk, that only they will hear.
Untamed Borders, the sponsor of Counting Countries, focuses on challenging locations of interest to those chasing 193. They have some very cool and unique trips coming up. Take a look at their website for trips to Turkmenistan in March, it is a 2 weeks trekking trip. Also, in March is a trip to Syria, which includes the impressive Krak des Chevaliers. In April, check out their Yemen mainland trip out of Salalah. While, Untamed Borders offers group tours, they also customize tours for individuals and groups. A great option for those traveling to Afghanistan or Pakistan.
Stefan stuck to his own travel principals while competing the 193. And this delayed his completion. Stefan talks about his challenges and frustrations in visiting Yemen and Syria. Jakob also had his own challenges when visiting Libya and a failed trip to Socotra. Charlotte joins us to share her perspective on her families’ travels.
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, or Spotify and write a review, even better when it is 5 stars. Why? Because that is what keeps this podcast going. I want to note recent review from the mysterious, Dr. Double E, who wrote “Very inspiring to hear the stories of different travels from all walks of life. Glad I found this podcast. Keep up the great interviews”.
Stefan joined me from his home in Seattle while I was in Boston. And Jakob and Charlotte joined me from Copehagen while I was in Chicago. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons …. Stephen Rothwell, Steph Rowe, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims & Ryan Gazder.
Stefan Krasowski and Jakob Oster Counting Countries
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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
More About Stefan:
- Website: Rapid Travel Chai
- Facebook: Rapid Travel Chai
More About Jakob:
- Website: Expedition Everywhere
- Instagram: Expedition Everywhere
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 Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 949 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.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda. Or book a trip through G Adventures. PS Thanks!
Stefan Krasowski and Jakob Oster Counting Countries
Photos From Chernobyl
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[…] at Global Gaz has a travel podcast. In this episode he interviews Stefan Krakowski and Jakob Oster who have both traveled to all 193 countries. Fascinating all travel stuff! And I get a mention at the end. Which is probably a first as my blog […]
Finally! Finally someone with a bit of sense and sensibility or should I perhaps say with some logic and reason to comment on the DPRK travel ban on Americans! Aaahhh, finally, finally someone, someone with a bit of a thinking/questioning mind to talk about the violation of personal rights! It was so heart-wrenching listening to Lexie’s interview, two Americans talking about going to the DMZ because of the travel ban, discussing “Oh it is technically North Korea and counts,” and “Oh I’ll of course be going back when the ban is lifted.” Eh okay, good for you, but what about saying anything about the ban, against the ban?? I am not an American but I am outraged on their behalf that a country -mind you, a country which flaunts that it is the land of the free- blocks its citizens going to another country and there is no outrage about it! American travellers can talk about the issue without saying a word about the infringement of their freedoms. Amazing, amazing…
I mean I could understand Lexie, she is so young and she is/was only after a record but Ric is at a mature age to have mentioned something about the injustice or political nature of the travel ban. It is nice at least Stefan has some awareness of the situation. He is also aware of the gaps in our lives and other people’s; in his first podcast when Ric asked about how he’d be getting to Syria given the situation, Stefan replied saying “They have serious problems, ours are so insignificant. I wish they solve their problems soon and have peace.” I felt that was such a good point to get the discussion going. Ric did not even make a comment and that was that, the end of a perfect opportunity for some significant discussion.
We are world travellers, we should care about the world we wish to see! But no, all you get is self-centered people ego-boosting by bragging about their travels. I wish there were more like Stefan and I wish these issues which are more vital and important for our world could be discussed by world travellers who have a sense, an idea about the world as they have witnessed it first hand. But first, we need to find the world travellers with a bit of wisdom, self consciousness, and awareness. Plus of course some interest in the well-being of the world.
It’s also a bit of fresh air to see a traveller not going to a border post and calling it having been to every country. I wish people could discuss what’s the point of all this craze about crossing borders. If there is any point, apart from self-promotion that is…