The World’s Newest Micronation

This is a special episode of Counting Countries.  Like many in the community I have a keen interest of de facto states and micronations.  I love the idiosyncrasies of crossing the border into an Abkhazia or Transnistria.  As I have shared with listeners before I was fortunate to visit the Principality of Sealand with the Extreme Traveler International Congress. 

I have been following the new micronation of the Republic of Slowjamastan on social media, founded by the Sultan Randy Williams better known to listeners as Ramblin’ Randy, a former guest of Counting Countries.  He was first interviewed in Episode 36 in July of 2017.  He was just at 86 countries at that time. 

Besides traveling up a storm, Randy has created a micronation in California.  As you know, micronations range from high comedy to the deadly serious.  The Sultan has poured in a ton of effort and money into creating this desert kingdom.  This is a really fun project.  

I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons:  Phillip Jones, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Thor Pedersen, and Adam Hickman for supporting this podcast. They help pay for the production of this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries.  You can also support Counting Countries be writing a review or sharing this podcast with a travel lover.  My patrons hear extra content, like an additional 40 minutes of my last conversation with Jorge Serpa and Lucy Hsu.

As many of you have heard, Stefan Kraswoski and I have teamed up to host the Extraordinary Travel Festival, the world’s largest gathering of accomplished travelers. This will take place in Yerevan, 2022.  We are excited to produce this event to help grow our community while organizing great events, and hosting some amazing experiences.  Please go to ExtraordinaryTravelFestival to see our speakers, our sponsors, and some of the trips we are hosting.  Check back often since there are frequent updates.  If buying a ticket, please use code ETF to save $50.  Hope to see you in Yerevan.     

I was in Bangkok for this recording while the Sultan was in San Diego.   Please listen in and enjoy.   

Thank you to my Patrons …. Phillip Jones, Thor Pedersen, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Lucy Shoe, and Garying Chan.

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About Sultan Of Slowjamastan Counting Countries

Check out the Sultan’s first appearance.
And check out the Republic of Slowjamastan’s website. 

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! 

An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.  

Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if from some of these links like if you order from Amazon/Agoda/etc. Or book a trip through G Adventures.  PS  Thanks!   

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