Zach Forbes … Passion For People

Zach Forbes has traveled to 140 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I am excited to introduce Zach Forbes, our new guest this month. Zach was a character I saw all around social media and connected to many of my friends. I finally met him face to face in Yerevan at the Extraordinary Travel Festival. Zach is a true global citizen, raised in Canada and the US. He also lived in China, Dubai, and Vancouver while traveling to 140 countries. He also shared with me getting shot in South Sudan and a very personal change in his faith.

As some of you might have heard the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok, plenty of time to save the date. You can buy your ticket now and use the code BANGKOK to save big at the Extraordinary Travel Fest. I am also excited to announce our first trip, and that is 3 different agendas to Bhutan after the festival. Check out the website or send me a message.

And I am very excited to let you know that the ETF will be hosting the NomadMania Awards live in Bangkok Sunday night, November 17th! This will be an amazing way to close out the ETF.

After the interview with Zach, I will be checking in with Flavio Ferrari Zumbini, who has recently published EVERYCOUNTRY: A Journey to ALL 193 NATIONS of the World, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. It was originally written in Italian, but now you can read in English. Buy your copy today on Amazon!

I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Carole Southam, Ed Hotchkiss, Gin, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Katelyn Jarvis, Lori Pastorelli, Marc Jorgenson, Per Flisberg, Philippe Izedian, Phil Marcus, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Sonia Zimmermann, Steph Rowe, Sunir Joshi, Ted Nims, Thor Pedersen for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear extra content with Zach that you will not hear.

Justine Kirby is on an East African trip working her way to 167. Sunir Joshi left Tunisia recently and now is in Morocco, checking in at 128. Carole Southam just hit 100 on TCC! Jorge Serpa completed Europe and will finish the year at 120. Simen Flotvik Mathisen hit the benchmark of 10% of the NM regions.

As a favor, please look in your Show Notes, I have shared a survey for the podcast. This is a great opportunity to provide me with some feedback. Thanks for your time!

And in 193 news, a giant congratulations to fan favorite, Luisa Yu, who just completed her journey to every country in the world.

I was in Bangkok for this recording while Zach was in Canada. Please listen in and enjoy.

Thank you to my Patrons …. Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Carole Southam, Dale Wursten, Ed Hotchkiss, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Katelyn Jarvis, Lori Pastorelli, Marc Jorgenson, Per Flisberg, Philippe Izedian, Phil Marcus, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Sonia Zimmermann, Steph Rowe, Sunir Joshi, Ted Nims, Thor Pedersen.

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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 Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions.
The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world.
SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
And the video that explains it all!
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.