Skip to main content

The Road to 193

The Road to 193 is a series of interviews with world travelers who are on a quest to visit all 193 United Nations recognized sovereign countries. Less than 300 travelers from around the world have visited all 193 UN countries, according to NomadMania, a non profit organization that validates the countries and regions visited by its community of travelers through a rigorous verification process. The goal of visiting all 193 countries is elusive at times and fraught with challenges including trying to get a visa, going to a war torn country, finding passage to a remote island nation, traveling to dangerous locations and when the budget doesn’t quite fit the bill. But once conquered, the traveler joins an exclusive club of world travelers who persisted to reach their final destination.

Riza Rasco is a co-founder of Philippine Global Explorers and Founder of Explore Africa for Impact. UPDATE: Rasco completed the journey to all 193 UN sovereign countries in February 2025 after visiting North Korea. She is the first Filipino to have visited 203 countries and all 82 provinces of the Philippines.

https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2021/02/the-road-to-193-with-riza-rasco.html

Odette Aquitania Ricasa is poised to be the first Filipino American to visit all 193 UN recognized sovereign countries. She has visited 189 countries. UPDATE: Ricasa completed her quest to visit all 193 UN recognized sovereign countries in August 2022 with Iraq as her ultimate country. She is the first Filipino to have conquered this challenging travel achievement.

https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2021/03/the-road-to-193-with-odette-aquitania.html

Hazel Borres Apuhin is a co-founder of Itchy Feet Adventures.

https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2019/03/the-road-to-193-with-hazel-borres-apuhin.html

Bengt Enbuske has traveled to all 193 UN recognized sovereign countries.

https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2020/03/the-road-to-193-with-bengt-enduske.html

Jazmin Gaite, lawyer and entrepreneur, has traveled to 90 countries.


https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2019/12/the-road-to-193-with-jazmin-gaite.html

Michael Alfred V. Ignacio is a diplomat who has lived in 15 cities in 8 countries.



Dr. Reysa Alenzuela is a professor of Library and Information Science and an international librarian at the Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences in Czechia.


Bernadith Barrientos has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and works for the cruise industry. 



Glen Dalisay is a nurse who was inspired to travel by his father at an early age. He’s about to complete all 197 countries in August 2025.



*****


Popular posts from this blog

Brașov was once called Stalin City

White Tower Brașov is a city nestled in the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. Remnants of its medieval fortifications and bastions are added attractions to this buzzing city. The White Tower along with the Black Tower are two of the remaining watchtowers still visible today. During the Communist period,  Brașov  was called Orasul Stalin or Stalin City after the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. Black Church This is such a storied Gothic church which was originally the Catholic Church of St. Mary before it was converted to a Lutheran Church. It was believed to have been affected by fire in 1689 which blackened its exterior walls and roof. But a new 21st century study reveals that this wasn’t the case at all. The only reason for its blackened state according to the study is environmental pollution caused by the industrialization of Brasov in the 19th century. The walls have since been cleaned but there are traces of black spots on the roof.  Republicii Street This long pede...

The Gold of Ancestors: Pre-Colonial Philippine Treasures

Openwork basket, Surigao, 10th-13th century What a wonderful surprise this exhibition is! These gold objects, about a thousand of them, add a rich layer to Philippine history. This collection which was found in various sites in the Philippines, date back to the 10th-13th centuries. It demonstrates the well developed culture of pre colonial Philippines which the Spaniard, Antonio Pigafetta, recorded in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan landed in the islands. A thriving interchange between the Philippines and its Asian neighbors existed prior to the arrival of Magellan as attested by some of these gold accouterments which show for example, images from Hindu mythology. The motifs and curvilinear ornamentation of the openwork basket (shown above) intimate Chinese designs found in their ceramics and textiles.  Torso ornament, 10th-13th century Weighing four kilos of gold, this sash is worn across the chest similar to the  upavita (sacred thread)  style in Hindu culture. This sash w...

The Art of Carlos Botong Francisco - Progress of Medicine in the Philippines

Pre-colonial period Pag-unlad ng Panggagamot sa Pilipinas (The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines) is a group of four large-scale paintings depicting healing practices in the Philippines from pre-colonial times to the modern period. Carlos Botong Francisco was commissioned in 1953 by  Dr. Agerico Sison who was then the director of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) together with   Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing of the National Museum, Dr. Florentino Herrera, Jr. and Dr. Constantino Manahan. These oil on canvas paintings measure 2.92 meters in height and 2.76 meters in width (9.71 ft x 8.92 ft) and were displayed at the main entrance hall of PGH for over five decades. Owing to its location, the artworks were in a state of "severe deterioration" at the beginning of the 21st century from exposure to heat, humidity, dirt, dust, smoke, insect stains, grime, termites and an oxidized synthetic resin used in an earlier restoration. These canvases were restored three times, the last was...