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Tan Wee Cheng has traveled to 187 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Wee Cheng, a regional neighbor, and I have communicated on and off for several years, but like many of us in the community we were only virtual acquaintances.\xa0 That changed when I met Wee Cheng in person at an extreme travel dinner in Singapore last year and then a more recent catchup in Honolulu.\xa0 I was surprised to learn about Wee Cheng\u2019s longevity as a traveler and also noted how he is a bit of an iconoclast in Singaporean culture when it comes to extreme travel.\xa0 \xa0 If you are a listener, you have heard this before \u2026 the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok.\xa0 Discount code BANGKOK of $120 will end on May 1, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the . We love having diverse voices at the event.\xa0 Just in case you missed this speaker announcement, Raiiq Ridwan, who holds a Bangladeshi passport, will share the extra challenges he faces as an extreme travelers with one of the world\u2019s weakest passports.\xa0 And Elene Chechina will share her stories of working full time, raising 3 children, and having deep connections across 3 continents all the while Chasing 193.\xa0 How does she do it? I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gin, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil \u201cMarmaduke\u201d Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast.\xa0 You can support this podcast by going to .\xa0 My patrons will hear extra content with Wee Cheng that you will not hear. \xa0 Excited to welcome new patron, Sam Williams, who is Chasing 193.\xa0 He is balancing a lot - wife, 2 small kids, and a full time job.\xa0 So his first goal is 40 by 40, which he is on track for, and then a long marathon to 193!\xa0 He has a great 10th year anniversary to Singapore, Tokyo and the Maldives.\xa0 His IG is sswilliams41 so follow along - \xa0 We also have some extra content with Gin, in a segment called Meet The Patron.\xa0 Last episode we met Bisa Myles and this episode we are talking with Gin.\xa0 Gin caught my attention when she shared her Spotify podcast stats.\xa0 In 2023, she listened to over 10,000 minutes of Counting Countries.\xa0 I have a new BFF and you can learn about her during our conversation after I speak with Wee Cheng.\xa0\xa0 \xa0 And that\u2019s not it! We are rolling out a new feature on Counting Countries.\xa0 The idea is to celebrate wins in the 193 community and involve more people.\xa0 The inspiration came from my friends at Club 100 from Sweden.\xa0 They have been recognizing milestones on their great IG account - .\xa0 So make sure you follow along.\xa0 I will be asking for travelers to submit audio files to recognize travel accomplishments.\xa0 To learn more follow the CC IG and FB accounts and I will be making future call to actions.\xa0 Here are a couple of milestones to recognize now.\xa0\xa0 I was in Bangkok for this recording while Wee Cheng was in Singapore. Please listen in and enjoy.\xa0\xa0\xa0 Thank you to my - you rock!!\xa0 \u2026.\xa0 Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil \u201cMarmaduke\u201d Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Dale Wursten, and Sam Williams. \xa0 \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 And now you can listen to ! And Alexa! \xa0 And write a review! About Tan Wee Cheng Counting Countries \u2022 Where were you born: Singapore \u2022 What passport (s) do you hold: Singapore \u2022 Favorite travel book: Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey through Yugoslavia - by Rebecca West (1941) \u2022 Favorite travel film: The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) \u2022 Favorite travel app or website: Used to be LP Thorn Tree, still miss it. Maybe Nomadmania or FB EPS page \u2013 but I don\u2019t like them as much as I love Thorn Tree. \u2022 Must carry item when traveling (like flashlight, Kindle, deck of cards etc.): Mobile phone! \u2022 Favorite food: Noodles! Or any derivative/similar \u2013 pasta, ramen. I crave for it if I go to a region without it. So happy to find pasta in Ethiopia/Eritrea, and rechta in Algeria. \u2022 Favorite drink: Coffee. \xa0Not into alcoholic drink since I started getting gout flareups \u2022 Favorite airline: Singapore Airlines\u2026natural for Singaporeans. Love the catering and the Singapore flavours of everything that reminds one of home. \u2022 Favorite hotel: Don\u2019t have any. See hotels as very functional and seldom return to the same hotel even for cities that I revisit. \u2022 Travel map: https://nomadmania.com/profile/290/nm/nm/by/2024 About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who\u2019ve 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\u2019s Dance, written, performed, and provided by .\xa0 About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: , , and .\xa0 He is the producer of two travel documentaries: and .\xa0\xa0 Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has and keep up with his journey at How Many Countries Are There? Well\u2026 that depends on who you ask!\xa0 The United Nations states that there are . The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are . The Traveler\u2019s Century Club states that there are . The Nomad Mania The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 . SISO says there are .\xa0\xa0 \xa0 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. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Wee Cheng Counting Countries