In July 2009, about the time when I started this blog, I read about this guy Chris Guillebeau, who is undertaking amazing challenge: to visit every country of the world by the time he’s 33, so far he’s done 175 (out of 193).
I like to travel and at the time had visited 30 countries, so I came up with my own version of the challenge: visit 100 countries by the time I hit 30 in July 2012, giving me 3 years to achieve this. As of March 2012 I’m at 99, yay, only one to go.
Ground rules (self imposed) of the challenge:
1) airports do not count – it has to be a meaningful visit, spending in the country at least a couple of days,but ideally a week or two;
2) UN member states only (there are 193 of them in total) – although I’ve visited various semi-autonomous territories such as Macau, Gibraltar and Kosovo, I do not count them as separate countries, sorry Scotland;
3) go where the locals go – no private jets or Michelin stared restaurants; public buses and street food instead;
4) take pictures – it’s fun and works as a good back up for my main hard drive (head);
Countries visited so far (99/100):
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armania
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Hercogovina
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Rep
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxemburg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
UAE
UK
Ukraine
Uruguay
USA
Vanuatu
Vatical City
Venezuela
Vietnam
I hate you!!!!!!!!
Mariola (remember Brixton flat???)
Double hate you!!!!
haha, of course I remember, hope all is cool
wow! i’m speechless ! Your photography is really something else! I really hope you conquer this challenge! What a life!
let there always be a road..
el
I’m impressed by that challenge! What was your impression of Vietnam and Germany btw? Keep up the good work!
As I scrolled down & found Indonesia in your list, I feel so excited and am wondering which part of Indonesia did you visit? Bunaken in Manado?
Enjoy your next destinations!
Wonderful challenge!
The challenge you’ve set yourself is amazing and inspiring! I want you to have a One Lovely Blog Award, shame the badge is really girly but the idea is that I think your blog is great and want my readers to have a look. http://postcardsfromrebecca.com/2012/04/18/one-lovely-blog-award/
Was wandering through WordPress and came across your blog, and in short, you’re insane but wonderfully brilliant for setting yourself such a challenge to complete in just three years! Forgetting the fact that I truely believe it is impossible to pack as lightly as what you do (as per your above photo), best wishes for reaching that final country!