Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Ramblin' Randy Official Travel Blog of The Sultan of Slowjamastan ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Turkmenistan or Bust: My FINAL Country (193/193)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/turkmenistan-or-bust/) - If I had to sum it up in one sentence, Turkmenistan was like one of those really weird dreams, full of things that "kind of make sense," but also tied together with a string of really bizarre stuff. Busted Yuliya: Unfortunately we will not be able to support your visa application for this event. Me: - [Visiting my Dear Aunt Arctica](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/visiting-my-dear-aunt-arctica/) - Marking my Territory After seeing every country in the world, you do two things—at least I do. One, you return to your favorites. Two, you chase the unknown. Recently, that meant Jersey and Guernsey which are island-territories belonging to the UK, Greenland under Denmark, and St. Pierre and Miquelon with France. There are a million more - [Where I've Been](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/about/where-ive-been/) - What exactly is the definition of a "country?" The independent country is not only a self-governed nation with own authorities, this status needs the international diplomatic recognition of sovereignty. Therefore, we can say, that the total number of independent states in the world are 197, including 193 fully recognized members of the United Nations. Two - [Travelers' Century Club List](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america-2/travelers-century-club-list/) - Here is the Travelers' Century Club's list of countries, which included many more than the standard UN 193. The territories in BOLD are the ones I have visited. I am a member of the TCC. Membership is limited to those travelers who have visited one hundred or more territories of the world. It was first - [Chile](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/chile/) - Latin Active My 2015 visit to Chile was part of a challenge to visit all of the Americas before turning 40. Since this was during the days before my serious traveling–and before my travel writing–the details will be sparse. I'd arrive on a Monday afternoon and depart just 48 hours later. And I'd miss the capital, - [Santiago's Turn](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america-2/santiagos-turn/) - Deja Vú I’d been to Chile once before—ten years back. Nice enough. Iquique had the sea, the sunshine, the breezy, sandblasted charm of a city that minds its own business. But I knew then, quietly and inconveniently, that I hadn’t scratched the surface. Santiago still waited. And now, en route to Antarctica from Punta Arenas—because - [Yemen? Yeah, Man!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/yemen-yeah-man/) - No-Go Yemen doesn’t get visitors. Not because it’s uninteresting—far from it—but because it’s a war zone, a place where five years of conflict have ripped apart lives and created one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet. Getting a visa is nearly impossible, flights are mostly grounded, and for years it was a country - [Wisconsin](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/united-states/wisconsin/) - Breakdown 45 days. No sweets. No treats. Dropped 15 pounds and feeling smug as hell—until Milwaukee happened. More specifically, Leon’s Custard. A temple of temptation disguised as a roadside stand, lit up in enough neon to guide ships home in a storm. It broke me. Back to the Future Inside, it’s a postcard from 1956—soda - [Algeria: Second Sojourn](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/algeria-second-sojourn/) - Algeria Calling I couldn’t wait to get back to Algeria after wrapping up the 193. Out of all the countries I’d visited, Algeria was one that stuck with me the most. Why? Because it was the first place to completely shatter a stereotype I didn’t even know I was carrying. I remember 2016 like it - [Burundi](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/burundi/) - Burundi. Even the name had that air of foreboding, like the title card to a late-night crime drama on the ID Channel. You could picture it: the unsuspecting American stumbling into a forgotten African village, shaking hands with the wrong police chief, and then watching the whole thing unravel like some badly written script. Or - [St. Pierre: A French Hangover on North American Shores](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/st-pierre/) - St. Pierre is Miquelon’s older, louder sister. But before we go there—do yourself a favor and read the Miquelon entry first. Seriously. Otherwise, you’re missing the whole "drinking wine in France without leaving North America" magic. I won’t repeat myself. Go read it. I’ll wait. Now, after 24 hours soaking in the quiet charm of - [Nowhere, France: A Quiet Drift Through Miquelon](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/nowhere-france-a-quiet-drift-through-miquelon/) - You know what keeps me addicted to the road? After hitting all 193 countries—the entire UN roll call—you’d think the surprises would dry up. But no. There’s always some geopolitical curveball waiting to slap you in the face. Like this: France. In North America. And no, I don’t mean the usual Caribbean suspects—Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint - [Surprise, I'm Mexican!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/surprise-im-mexican/) - Never thought I’d say this—and yeah, it still feels a little strange rolling off the tongue—but here we are: I’m Mexican. Officially. On December 16th, 2024, after a bureaucratic marathon of forms, fingerprints, interviews, and the kind of language exam that leaves your brain bruised and ego humbled, I crossed the finish line. This all - [Best Radio Show](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-radio-show/) - A Sweet Surprise A long drive out of Barcelona and a scan through the local radio dial led me to radio station Canal Tres; which was playing sort of this 60's "lounge music" show, with an announcer that sounded like he was hosting Sunday Night Slow Jams, only with a Spanish accent, as he described - [Ramblin' on the Radio(s)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/ramblin-on-the-radios/) - Besides travel, my other love is radio. I started in the business at 15 years old, and had my first real radio show when I was just 16. By the time I was a senior in high school, I was the full-time night DJ at the local radio station. I went on to become a - [Extreme Layover: Calgary, Alberta, Canada](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/extreme-layover-calgary-alberta-canada/) - To The Extreme It’s been a minute since I pulled off what I like to call an “Extreme Layover.” For the uninitiated, that’s when the universe hands you a layover long enough to do something stupid, brilliant, or both—like running headfirst into a city with barely enough time to taste its grit and maybe get - [Best Pastry](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-pastry/) - I’ve been to a lot of bakeries—hundreds, in fact. From the historic, flour-dusted kitchens of France to the legendary patisseries of Vienna and Munich. I’ve seen it all, tasted it all. So, imagine my surprise when a tiny bakery in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, gets my top honor for pastry. But that’s the beauty of this - [Lost Time, Found Places: An Unexpected Detour in Anjar, the Armenian Enclave of Lebanon](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/armenian-village-anjar-lebanon/) - Surprise, Surprise Travel, at its best, is a series of surprises. The little ones—the perfect cup of coffee in some hole-in-the-wall café, the back alley neighborhood that somehow dodged the tourist mobs. Then there are the big ones—the moments when you step into an entirely different world, completely by accident. That’s how I found myself - [Hong Kong...Phooey!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/hong-kong-phooey/) - Hong Kong Ding Dong I say "phooey!" because I visited Hong Kong in November of 2016...just before I started blogging seriously. So I have only a few pictures and even fewer notes. But here goes! I was on my way to the least-visited country in the world: Nauru—a speck in the vast Pacific that most - [Feeling Grounded? "Take Off" to Some "Domestic" Foreign Countries...Let me Explain](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/feeling-grounded-take-off-to-domestic-foreign-countries/) - If there's one thing I've learned about myself, it's that staying still ain't in my DNA. Since I was a kid, I've been chasing movement like a dog after a scent. My first taste of real freedom came at 12, figuring out L.A.'s RTD bus lines. My bike only got me as far as the - [Ramblin' Randy Visits 40 Countries in One Day!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/ramblin-randy-visits-40-countries-in-one-day/) - 40 Countries in one day! Well, kind of... When a friend of mine told me about a special weekend in DC where a ton of foreign embassies open their doors to the public, I immediately sprang into action to investigate! Turns out, the annual Passport DC was just weeks away. I booked my ticket and - [All The Signs I Shouldn't Go to Nigeria...and Why I did Anyway](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/nigeria/) - Nigeria wasn’t supposed to happen. My eight-country Africa jaunt was going to start in South Africa and end in Kenya, with the six countries along the way nowhere near Nigeria. I’d had this trip planned for ten months, and everything was set. It was only about three weeks before the big journey that I realized - [Luxembourg Loser](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/luxembourg/) - The Start of Something Special Europe in the summer of 2015. Seven countries in less than two weeks. It wasn’t a trip; it was a sprint, a whirlwind crash course in the art of extreme travel. For the first time, I found myself hopping from one nation to the next at breakneck speed, soaking in - [Pining for the Peens: Trip #4](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/pining-for-the-peens-trip-4/) - Keeps Pulling me Back The Philippines might just be my next Brasil. You know, that place that gets under your skin, sticks in your brain, and refuses to let go. For me, Brasil was that intoxicating first love—the kind that leaves you haunted when you're apart. Back in my 20s, it hooked me good, reeled - [Philippines Contrast and Compare: Manila, Cebu and Davao](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/philippines-contrast-and-compare-manila-cebu-and-davao/) - (This delayed report is from my 2023 trip to The Philippines...) Top of the Charts People always ask me—after checking every box on the "countries of the world" list—where I’d go back to. Top of the pile? The Philippines. In my 20s, it was Brasil that stole my heart. In my 40s, it’s the Philippines - [Philippines](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/philippines/) - My Name Is…Too $hort Let’s just get this out of the way right now: the Philippines isn’t a country you breeze through. You can’t, and you shouldn’t. For a guy like me—a few days in, a few days out, see what I can, eat what I can, and move on—this place is a beast of - [What I Experienced at ETF—and Why You’ll Never Keep Me Away Again](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/extraordinary-travel-festival-bangkok/) - Alone Again, Naturally Over the years, I’ve fallen hard for solo travel—so much so that it’s not just a preference; it’s a necessity. Honestly, I avoid traveling with others like the plague. Some people get it. Others think it’s weird. Maybe it’s a little selfish—I won’t argue that. But here’s the thing: when you’re on - [Fun and Adventure Await in Benghazi!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/fun-and-adventure-await-in-benghazi/) - The More Balls Than Brains Tour - Reunion! After I checked off “193,” everyone—friends, family, co-workers—figured my days of hitting up "risky" spots were behind me. Why would I ever go back to some of those sketchier corners of the world? Surely now I’d just stick to the safe, sun-soaked resorts. Cabo, Ibiza, Tahiti—sounds logical, - [La-La-Lovin' Luanda (For the Most Part)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/luanda/) - I’m so Excited (And I Just Can’t Hide It) There’s something about Angola that had me buzzing with anticipation on this four-country run through southern Africa. It was June 2022, and I was on the home stretch—Angola would be number 180. Fourteen more to go and I’d hit all 193. There’s a thrill in crossing - [My First Flight on Spirit Airlines...and I Lived to Tell About It!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/my-first-flight-on-spirit-airlines-and-i-lived-to-tell-about-it/) - #hatersgonhate I have to admit, I was concerned about flying Spirit Airlines for the first time. Only seconds after I updated my facebook status with the news I had booked a flight on the airlines, my timeline erupted with scores of friends warning me not to fly Spirit, many even "scolding" me for the choice. - [Bucket List: My Saturday Night Live Experience](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/bucket-list-my-saturday-night-live-experience/) - Saturday, February 6th 2016 was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, as I saw Saturday Night “Live,” literally…live! The whole thing was amazingly surreal and such a once in a lifetime event that I wanted to document it all; a textual time capsule that would stand the test of time, and that - [Recap: Chicago Seminars Travel/Miles Conference](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/recap-chicago-seminars-travelmiles-conference/) - I imagined this was what it would feel like for any 14-year-old meeting their favorite YouTube stars in person. Here I was, in a room, with with some of my absolute favorite travel idols and masters of the miles game for a full weekend of nothing but travel talk and point-hoarding strategies. I did my - [WB at DFW! Updated Launch Date for New Airport Whatabuger](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/wb-at-dfw-updated-launch-date-for-airport-whatabuger/) - Living in California certainly has a bounty of benefits: the weather, the beach, the entertainment...but it's not without its negatives. The two biggest bummers: Insane taxes and a complete and utter lack of Whataburger. I'll save my detailed Whataburger rave for another time (it's lengthy), and I won't even entertain the In-N-Out vs. Whataburger silly - [I Left My Wallet in El Segundo...err...in Indian Springs, NV: A Tribe Called Quest Filming Location Revealed!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/i-left-my-wallet-in-el-segundo-err-in-indian-springs-nv/) - The mystery would be solved, my curiosity quenched and the intrigue would evaporate as this long chapter would finally come to a close. Warning: Nerd Alert Ahead If it wasn't already obscenely apparent, my geekiness will be displayed at absolute peak level by the end of the next few paragraphs, so strap yourself in. This - [Dearborn's Most Delicious](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/dearborns-most-delicious/) - Fave Foods I've traveled to all 193 nations of the world, and if you've followed me for even just a little while, you know one of my absolute favorite things to do while on my trips is to eat. A great meal can make up for even the worst day. And out of all my - [OMG I'm at NATO Summit 2024](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/radio-dj-gets-into-nato-summit-2024/) - I'm So Excited...And I Just Can't Hide It If I had to pick just one word to describe how I am feeling at this very moment - the first day back from NATO - I would say grateful. Grateful, that in my late 40s, I continue to experience such absolutely epic adventures: things I couldn't - [TBH the 411 on my R&R and ZZZ at JFK's TWA...BRB and DND](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/my-stay-at-twa-hotel-jfk-review-ratings/) - ...How's That for Initialism!? The red-eye out of San Diego seemed like a brilliant move. A 9PM departure, landing in New York at 5:26AM—plenty of time to connect to my flight to Casablanca. Simple, right? Only we landed early, and for once, that wasn’t a good thing. I staggered over to Terminal One, bleary-eyed at - [Cameroon? You mean Camer-RUDE!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/cameroon-you-mean-camer-rude/) - Douala was dirty, dark, and had absolutely nothing fun going on. When I land in other African countries, often I’m immediately enamored with the street life: the colorful painted storefronts, the street vendors, the interesting cars and other random regional idiosyncrasies. There was nothing here to marvel at. Douala had failed me. Or I had - [Algeria](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/algeria/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Algeria was the tenth country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through nine, please go HERE. It’s best to read the - [Leavin' For Libya](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/libya-tripoli/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Libya was the eleventh country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through six, please go HERE. It’s best to read the - [Peru](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/peru/) - Details are Hazy My trip to Peru was in May 2011, many years before I began my travel blog, so details may be a little blurry. The good news is, I took so many photos on this trip - probably the most I've ever taken during one journey. They will help me piece everything together - [Jersey Shores](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/jersey-shores/) - Not a Country, But... While the United Kingdom's Jersey island is technically not its own independent country, it is classified as a "self-governing British Crown Dependency." It's also one of a handful of European territories included on one of my favorite apps, "Been." Been is a super simple phone app that lists every country (and - [Journey to Guernsey](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/journey-to-guernsey/) - Marking my Territory I wanted to see Guernsey for the same reason I wanted to see Jersey - please refer back to my Jersey blog and I'll explain there. Guernsey, while not it's own "country" per se, is one of the UK's Channel Islands and one in a group of English territories I'd been itching - [Best Cake](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-cake/) - Let Them Eat Cake! One of my favorite things about traveling is some of the sweet surprises you find along the way - the literal "sweets," from ice cream to candy...especially the stuff you can't find at home. It was during that first 2015 trip to Austria when I would discover my favorite cake of - [Exploring the Abandoned City of Varosha, Famagusta](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/exploring-the-abandoned-city-of-varosha-famagusta/) - Roofs caved in, staircases fallen, windows shattered and nature taking over - this is what happens when a whole town is neglected and left to decay for nearly half a century. And I loved every part of it - except the backstory, of course. Stranger Things I was enjoying a beautiful swim in the emerald - [Austria](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/austria/) - Ahhh, Austria. What can I say that won't open me up to ridicule and even outrage? Look, I didn't love Austria. But I admit upfront, it's all my fault; so I'm in no way giving this beauty of a country a bad wrap. Number one: In true "Ramblin' Randy" fashion, I had very limited time - [Finding my Family - Czech Republic (PART I)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/czech-republic-ancestors/) - Coming to America Since I was a small boy, I have memories of my father telling me stories of his grandparents, their life in Czechoslovakia, and how they came to the USA chasing the American dream. From Johannes who lived in a giant villa and ran away to America with his housekeeper (who was 20 - [Top 5 Things I Ate in The Czech Republic](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/top-5-things-i-ate-in-the-czech-republic/) - My March 2024 trip to Czechia to meet distant relatives for the very first time ranks as one of my best trips ever. I figured if I was making a true trip back to "the motherland," I'd pull out all the stops, including making sure I ate lots of genuine Czech foods and local favorites. - [Czechia: Finding My Family](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/czechia-finding-my-family/) - It's a Family Affair I'm sure no one wants to hear the details of someone else's family tree, but nonetheless, I'm going to tell you a story. I will try and keep it short and concise, but I'm writing this with the hopes of inspiring others; others like me: who wondered about their distant ancestors - [BEST HAMBURGER (WITH UPDATE, TIE)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-hamburger/) - THEE best two burgers on the planet...And you'll probably never get to try the second one! *** THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2016...SEE 2023 UPDATE BELOW *** This is another hands-down number one award winner, with no one else even coming close. The Juicy Lucy from 5-8 Club is a Minneapolis legend: an ubër-flavorful hamburger with - [Return to Havana](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/return-to-havana/) - Hace 21 Años I hadn't been to Cuba since 2002, when I literally had to sneak in. Cuba was off-limits to Americans when I first visited 20 years ago. It wasn't Cuba, but The United States, who, by law prohibited "us" Americans from going there. It could be done, illegally and under the radar, but - [BEST SUSHI](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-sushi/) - Sometimes the best "anything" comes by surprise--and that's always such a delight. How many times are we recommended something--being told, "You have to have it, it's the best"--only to be disappointed when we finally do try it? High expectations will do that to you. But then, once in a great while, you stumble upon the - [Randy in Greenlandy](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/ilulissat-nuuk-greenland-travel/) - Gotta Get to Greenland Greenland was more of an annoyance – an itch I had to scratch – than a dream destination. While not one of the fully-recognized-UN-193 nations, it was a place that I just had to get to. And getting there is more difficult than one would think. It absolutely bothered me that this - [Tokyo, Two!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/tokyo-two/) - The Second Time Around Very rarely can you top the experience of your very first time somewhere magical. Trust me, I’ve tried. Similar to a first kiss, the first time you watch that favorite movie, the first “anything” awesome, really. Chances are the repeat encounter(s) will never be as special as the first. To my - [Japan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/japan/) - Japan was so dope. Everything I heard about Japan was true...times ten. One of the cleanest countries I've ever visited, and the people were some of the most respectful and polite folks I've ever come in contact with. I could definitely live here. Here are a few pics and notes from the highlights of my - ['Sup Serbia!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/sup-serbia/) - I'll never forget my first memory of Serbia and the very first thing that caught my eye as the taxi barreled down the highway from the airport into Belgrade: Towering over the city was this massive, gray building, consisting of two towers and a huge circular disk on top that looked like a giant flying - [Ice(land) Ice(land) Baby](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/iceland/) - Alright Stop! Visiting Iceland was nothing short of incredible. I arrived late afternoon and after missing my bus to The Blue Lagoon (make sure you're on the right bus!), the Flybus company was kind enough to arrange and pay for a cab there. Yup, I was not only going to visit--but going to stay the - [I See France](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/france/) - France, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period in my life when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–when I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that - [Belgium](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/belgium/) - Belgium, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It's hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn't excite me. But there was. There was actually a period of my life, when I would travel--mostly cruises, with my family--that I didn't have that travel "bug;" that - [Escape to Nether-Nether Land!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/the-netherlands/) - The Start of Something Special My summer trip to Europe in 2015 was actually one of the events that first sparked my love for extreme travel. I checked off seven countries in less than two weeks. It was my first time seeing so many nations in a short amount of time and I absolutely loved it. - [Best Taco](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-taco-nazo-real-nogales-sonora/) - Nogales, Sonora, Mexico - El Taco Nazo Real The greatest tacos EVER! And I've had TONS of tacos in my life! If you LOVE tacos, you'll love this video, as I expose "The Secret Taco Stand." This is classified, never before broadcast info...and your lucky day! THE SECRET TACO STAND El Taco Nazo Real corner - [Extreme Layover: Frankfurt II](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/extreme-layover-frankfurt-2/) - This is Getting Ridiculous This was my fourth trip to Germany and, in total, to date, I've only spent but one night in the country. My first trip in was 2015, where I spent the night in a small town called Kusel, before heading to Luxembourg. The three trips after that, including this one, have - [Germany](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/germany/) - Frankfurt, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period in my life when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–when I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that - [Desperately Seeking Syria](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/travel-syria-american/) - I was met with the overwhelming smell of citrus the moment I walked through the wooden doors and into the courtyard of the hotel. For some reason, all of my senses today seemed to be on steroids. Oh, those orange trees! All around me, a collage of marble, ceramic tile, stone, wood and stained glass. - [And This Concludes The 'More Balls Than Brains' World Tour...](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/and-this-concludes-the-more-balls-than-brains-world-tour/) - More Balls Than Brains Adventurous wanderlust...or just plain fool? There's a fine line between the two, and 2016 surely proved to be my most extreme year of travel as to date. Upon gaining knowledge of one of this year's itineraries, my uncle warned me that I have "more balls than brains" during a virtual finger-wag - [Where's the Last Country and What's After That???!!!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/wheres-the-last-county-and-whats-after-that/) - What's the Last One??? What's 193??? I've thoroughly enjoyed sharing my recent visits to countries 184 through 192 on social media. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked, "What's the last country?" or "What's number 193?" I would be rich! It is definitely a great question, especially for those who've been following - [ALERT: Ramblin' Randy on Kelly Clarkson Show](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/alert-ramblin-randy-on-kelly-clarkson-show/) - Randy is ready to his final country - 193 - and talks to Kelly Clarkson all about it! Watch The Kelly Clarkson Show Monday, May 1st I'm so pumped to be a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show this Monday, May 1st. We're talkin' travel (of course!) and the final country...number 193! I hope you'll - [Memories of Majuro](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/visit-marshall-islands-majuro-pacific-island-hopper/) - Pacific Puzzle An overwhelming feeling of gratitude came over me, along with a super-sized sigh of relief when we finally touched down in Majuro. The Marshall Islands was my very last country on an absolutely ridiculous and downright unrealistic 11-country, 30-day itinerary that would take me through nine new countries, all in The Pacific. I’d - [Sint Maarten](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/sint-maarten/) - Full report coming soon! - [Palau...Ask me How!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/ask-me-how-palau/) - New Year, Who Dis? I'd ring in the New Year (2023) from Palau this time (even though I'd be snoozing by 9:30PM). Before I get started on Palau, I thought it would be fun to recap my New Year's by location over the last few years: 2022: Comoros 2021: São Tomé e Príncipe 2020: Pakistan - [Syria? (Kind of...)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/country-176-ask-me-for-access/) - #176 I’d been trying to get into Syria for years. Just as it was my turn, the pandemic hit. I’d even already bought my ticket to Beirut (the starting point for trips to Damascus.) But it wasn't in the cards. When countries started opening back up again, I headed to Lebanon—which was amazing—but sadly Syria - [Palestine](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/palestine/) - This article is part two of my Israel-Palestine trip. Please make sure to read the Israel chapter HERE first, they should be read in order to get the full story. Palestine was part of a last minute, whirlwind, weekend trip; literally planned the day-of. As I admitted in my Israel article, I was pretty ignorant - [Israel](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/israel/) - I book most of my international trips 9-10 months out. I usually start mentally planning them over a year out. This was not the case this weekend. Israel was a last minute trip. I mean last, last, last, laaaaaaast-minute trip. I decided pretty much the day-of. I was in London on a Thursday night looking - [My Micro Trip to Micronesia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/my-micro-trip-to-micronesia/) - Grumpy McGrumperPants My kryptonite is no sleep, which turns me into a complete, worthless, grumpy zombie. My journey to Pohnpei would begin from Palau at 2AM, so there wasn’t even one wink of sleep for me. I arrived in Guam by 5AM. It was weird being stamped into the US in the middle of this - [The Absolute Ultimate Credit Card Arsenal for Earning Mega Miles](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/travel-tips/the-absolute-ultimate-credit-card-arsenal-for-earning-mega-miles/) - I've been collecting and using credit card miles and points for air travel for decades now, and have gotten really good at it over the past few years. There's no doubt that the best way to earn a ton of miles, fast, is by taking advantage of those enormous credit card sign up bonuses: some - [Papua Don't Preach](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/bougainville-buka-papua-new-guinea/) - Time to get Nerdy There are currently 193 fully-recognized countries in the world. But was 193 always the number? Of course not – countries come and go over time. Take for example, the USSR. When it was finally broken up back in 1991, 15 brand new countries were created almost overnight: Uzbekistan, Georgia, Moldova, Latvia, - [Feeling Like Family in Samoa](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/apia-samoa/) - Gimme Samoa If you’re a regular reader to my blog, you know that some countries give me a “vibe” right off the bat – a succinct feeling in my heart. Samoa was one of them. I thought, at first, it could’ve been just the impeccable warm welcome from the hotel. Moments after arriving at the - [Solo Mon in the Solomons](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/solo-mon-in-the-solomons/) - Wham Bam The Solomon Islands were part of a huge, end-of-year, 30-day jaunt around the Pacific. The trip would wrap up the region for me, completely - checking off nine new countries and include two repeats (transit). Even though I had an entire month to get nine countries done, because of the scarcity of flights - [Yo Quiero Kiribati](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/yo-quiero-kiribati/) - Kira-Whati? There have been a handful of “mysterious” nations that I’ve been intrigued with over the years, and I saved Kiribati until close to the end. The Pacific island nation joins other fascinating places that my friends have never heard of, like Nauru, Tuvalu, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea and Suriname. These are places we did not - [United Arab Emirates](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/united-arab-emirates/) - The UAE was actually the first country that really intrigued me, way back when. I remember clearly: eighth grade, social studies, lights off, as we watched a VHS tape on the big box TV strapped to a cart. The documentary highlighted the country; mysterious back then, certainly not today. I don't know what it was - [Vanuatu Vibes](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/vanuatu-vibes/) - I'm so Excited (and I Just Can't Hide It) I was excited to see Vanuatu just for the name itself. “Vahn-ooh-ahh-too.” So exotic right? Flying a new carrier (for me), Vanuatu Airlines, was also a bonus. The three-hour flight from Auckland to Port Vila in business was nice. The food was solid, complete with carrot - [A (Very Small) Taste of New Zealand (a Nibble, Really)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/auckland-new-zealand/) - Amateur Hour on The Ramblin' Randy Show “May I see your visa please?” I fought back any hint of smugness, as I answered with shortness: “No visa required.” I’d approached many an airline counter where the agent mistakenly told me I’d need a visa for flights into countries where there was indeed no visa required - [Best Fish Taco](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-fish-taco/) - Randy Votes Best Fish Taco from New Zealand - Taco World in Outrage I actually live in what many call the fish taco capital of the world: San Diego, California. And if San Diego isn't ground zero for fish tacos, then Baja California, just minutes away, certainly is. So how the heck can I claim - [North Korea](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/north-korea/) - Editor's note/foreword: I am an avid world traveler with the aggressive goal of seeing all 196 nations on this earth. This article is about my particular trip to North Korea and what I witnessed while I was there. It is not about my political beliefs on the country, my country, nor a historical documentary. It - [Consulate / Embassy Visa Processing Times](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/consulate-embassy-visa-processing-times/) - Am I the only one who gets nervous sending my passport off...in the mail...across the country??? It's both a thrill and a concern at the same time. With your help, I'd like to keep an updated tally of visa processing times. Consulate websites are often outdated and incorrect. It's my goal, with your help, to - [My 5 Favorite African Countries (And You Won't Believe It)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/my-5-favorite-african-countries-you-wont-believe-it/) - “The continent is too large to describe. It is a veritable ocean, a separate planet, a varied, immensely rich cosmos. Only with the greatest simplification, for the sake of convenience, can we say ‘Africa’. In reality, except as a geographical appellation, Africa does not exist.” ― Ryszard Kapuściński Over the past six years, I've come - [The Magic of Madagascar](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/the-magic-of-madagascar/) - It’s About Damn Time Was Madagascar really happening this time? Finally? I’d been so close on my last three trips to Africa, but no dice. Madagascar was one of the very last (if not the last) African countries to open back up after the pandemic. It absolutely tore me to pieces to be in Mauritius - [Hot Dambia, Let's go to Zambia!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/hot-dambia-lets-go-to-zambia/) - The Z's Have It Zambia and Zimbabwe would be my final two mainland African countries. There was no particular reason why I saved this southern cluster of countries for last – it just worked out that way. Botswana, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe would all be visited on this trip. Breaking my usual solo-travel m.o., this - [Whose Way? Zimbabwe!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/whose-way-zimbabwe/) - Cutting Corners I’ll admit up front, my overnight stay in Zimbabwe barely counts as a country visit. We’d spent the last day just on the other side of Victoria Falls, in Zambia, where we enjoyed four excursions in less than 36 hours. Perhaps I should have saved at least one tour for Zimbabwe, but I - [Armenia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/my-visit-to-armenia-and-artsakh/) - Rough Relations At first I didn't understand why I couldn't find a direct flight from Baku, Azerbaijan into Yerevan, Armenia. Both were big cities, with big airports, each with lots of flights and routes. You'd think a nonstop Baku-Yerevan flight would be a no-brainer. But I'd soon learn that the two countries weren't exactly the - [Shhh...Don't Tell Mom...I'm in Somaliland!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/somaliland-hargeisa/) - Who Does That? Who goes to Somalia???!!! This guy! When your life mission is to see all 193 countries on the planet, you don’t get any passes to skip over the dangerous ones. And frankly, after getting through places like Iraq, Libya, South Sudan and Venezuela unscathed, I must say nothing much else scares me - [Fun and Adventure in Mogadishu](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/dont-tell-mom-im-in-mogadishu/) - It was not until I was finally in the car when I had one of those, “Dude, what the f*** are you doing” moments, as I saw loads of dudes with guns on the side of the street and then a truck with one of those giant blasters. More Balls Than Brains? I’ve been pushing - [The Sovereign Military Order of Malta - The OTHER Malta!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/the-sovereign-military-order-of-malta-the-other-matla/) -  CAUTION: Geography Nerd Ahead I'm actually going to make a whole 'nother entry detailing my first afternoon in Malta and the "other" country that I visited. That's right, technically, there is another country inside of Malta. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is actually its own nation. Here's where it gets weird: This - [Fala Português? 7 Photos from 7 Lusophone Counties - Speaking Portuguese Around the World](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/fala-portugues-7-photos-from-7-lusophone-counties-speaking-portuguese-around-the-world/) - lusophone: adjective speaking Portuguese, usually as a first or main language. I adore the Portuguese language and feel so fortunate that I've been able to visit every country that speaks Portuguese. I am especially intrigued by Portuguese-speaking nations that aren't Brasil or Portugal - other countries where the Portuguese colonists have left their mark through - [Kenya](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/kenya/) - Three trips to Kenya so far... First Trip to Kenya Well let's see...in the last ten days I braved war-torn South Sudan, was hemmed up by crooked police in Burundi, got violently ill with food poisoning in Rwanda, and put in work on a mission trip in Uganda. It was finally time to chill, and - [Girls Botswana Have Fun](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/girls-botswana-have-fun/) - Getting There It was super long journey to country #179. First, a train from San Diego to Los Angeles, then a 13-hour flight from LAX to Istanbul, followed by an eight-hour layover (and fun run into the city there), and then a ten-hour flight from Istanbul to Cape Town. There would be a 6.5 hour - [EXTREME LAYOVER: Istanbul IV](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/extreme-layover-istanbul-iv/) - Here We Go Again! This was the fourth time I'd make a dash into the city during a layover in Istanbul and, according to my calculations, the fifth time here, in total. Could be sixth - I'm losing count! In fact, there aren't many cities in the entire world (outside of the USA, of course) - [Extreme Layover: Istanbull III](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/extreme-layover-istanbull-ii/) - Istanbul, We Meet Again Each time I do this, I come closer to getting it down to a science. It's a task alone even getting out of that giant new airport - The fact that it's so far away from town just adds to to the challenge of enjoying a layover in the city. The - [Extreme Layover: Istanbul II](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/extreme-layover-istanbul/) - Not heading into the city for fun and adventure just isn’t me – in the end I had to do it. Ramblin’ Randy doesn’t stay in the airport!  If You Wanna Get Technical I actually spent the night in Istanbul this time, so technically that should remove this stop from the "Extreme Layover" category. However, I did - [Extreme Layover: Munich](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/extreme-layover-munich/) - Party Over Here I've never had so much fun at an airport gate before: I was lucky enough to be a passenger on the inaugural flight from San Diego to Munich. I'd been looking to burn these Lufthansa miles for years, but the pandemic came along, and then, well...you know the rest of the story. - [March 2022 Trip Recap: 5 Countries, 5 Photos](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/march-2022-trip-recap-5-countries-5-photos/) - It was a fabulous mid-March journey, with five countries seen, three of them new ones toward my goal of all 193. Here's a quick recap: Germany This was my third or fourth time in Germany, I've lost count. And like the others, just a quick stop: less than three hours in-town. It was my first - [Best Airport (Domestic)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-airport/) - Philadelphia, PA - International Airport I landed in Philly after taking a brutal red-eye from San Diego, in the middle seat! The ride was awful. However, upon exiting the aircraft and stepping into the airport my mood immediately changed...from the simple fact that they were bumping classic Philly soul music throughout the airport. Yup, sweet - [Best Coffee](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-coffee-latte/) - Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder Coffee is so subjective, but I'm staking my claim here and now: As I type this, I'm sucking the last drops from the cup of my Cardamom & Orange Iced Latte from Portal Coffee. Holy crap. This is absolutely the best coffee I've ever had in my life. - [Great Success! Kazakhstan!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/great-success-kazakhstan/) - Alrighty, Almaty! Stepping off the jet bridge and into the airport, I saw an officer in a green, pressed uniform, with all the bars and stripes. He donned a matching, giant, flat hat, the size of a small satellite dish. Had I really made it into Kazakhstan? Just months ago, I’d taken a cab from - [Look Mom, I'm in Mongolia!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/look-mom-im-in-mongolia/) - Inner City Blues The two sets of giant nuclear smokestacks on the way into town would be a precursor to what would be a very industrial city. I don't know what I expected from Ulaanbaatar, really: maybe something more "traditional" and quaint? Perhaps little corner tea houses, rickshaws rolling down narrow streets and red lanterns - [Best Airport (International)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-airport-international/) - Istanbul International (IST) Sixth Time's a Charm I don't know why it took me five or six stops through Istanbul's new airport to really stop and appreciate it. Actually, I do know: My first few trips through the gigantic, city-like hub-to-practically-the-entire-world had all been pretty rushed. If I wasn't running to my next gate to - [Groovy, Baby! Panama City's Sexy and Swanky Low-Rise Apartments](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/groovy-baby-panama-citys-sexy-and-swanky-low-rise-apartments/) - Fifth Time's a Charm It wasn't until my fifth or sixth trip to Panama City (maybe even the seventh, I lose track), until I broke away from my usual routine of hanging around the coast to explore the local, non-touristy, internally-situated residential neighborhoods of PTY. RELATED: My many Panama trips chronicled HERE. I quickly became - [Yo Adoro Comoro](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/comoros/) - With every passing minute on the island, I fell in love with Comoros a little more. It's hard to explain - just a good, genuine vibe. Not a touristy, steel drum, sipping piña coladas-kind of vibe. But the feeling of being in a special place, with friendly people, who smiled and said hello and made - [Suriname](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/suriname/) - Suri-WHAT? Ask anyone to find Suriname on a map and they'll most likely give you the "deer in headlights" look. Force them to try, and their finger usually heads to the continents of Africa, or Asia; as the name Suriname surely doesn't "sound" South American. Visiting Suriname, for me, was half goal-setting (to see all - [The 5 Most Bizarre Countries I've Visited](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/5-most-bizarre-countries/) - Disclaimer: I don't use the word "bizarre" as an insult. Quite the contrary: I absolutely adore these lesser-visited countries...especially the ones that your average person has never heard of. I mean, is it not absolutely crazy that entire nations--countries with their own languages, currency, customs and history--are out there, that most of us don't even - [Tanzania Express](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/tanzania-express/) - 2 Fast 2 Furious I’ve been known to travel pretty fast, and have even been criticized that my style of stopping in to a country for one or two nights isn't really “seeing” a country. While I completely disagree and refute that claim, I will be the first to admit that my time here in - [Wowie, Malawi!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/wowie-malawi/) - Miles and Smiles The appetizer: a couple paragraphs about planning, pivoting and redeeming airline miles for this trip, so if that’s not your thing, feel free to scroll down to the good stuff – you won’t hurt my feelings. This trip (Malawi>Tanzania>Comoros) was salvaged from a bigger trip that I had to cancel. The original - [Best Soda](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-soda/) -  I was on the border of Malawi and Moçambique (Malawi side), when I discovered my absolute favorite soda in the whole wide world! My driver Zinenani walked me across the street for a cold "Fanta," however the vendor was actually selling a brand of soda called Sobo. I was hot and thirsty, and these - [Sally Sells Seashells by The Seashore in Seychelles](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/sally-sells-seashells-by-the-sea-shore-in-seychelles/) - Preface Africa is more than huge. It’s humongous. It’s an absolute behemoth for someone trying to visit every country on the continent. There are 54 of them! But despite the obvious challenges of time, distance and cost, there are a handful of countries in Africa that are either tough to get into as a foreigner, - [Qatar](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/qatar/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 14-chapter series on my trip to Africa. Qatar (which is in The Middle East and technically belongs to Asia) was the last country I visited. I flew Qatar Airways from Tunisia to Miami, which included a long layover in Qatar. Qatar was the fourteenth country of fourteen nations I visited in - [Make Three Wishes – You're in Mauritius!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/make-three-wishes-youre-in-mauritius/) - Getting There My hotel (okay, resort) was a little over an hour away from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and in the opposite direction of the island’s capital and most populous city, St. Louis. It too, was almost an hour away. The airport here really was in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps that was the - [7 Countries, 7 Photos: October Trip Re-Cap](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/7-countries-7-photos-october-trip-re-cap/) - October 2021: Seven amazing countries, starting in Europe, a Central Asia "Stan"-apalooza and a nice UK wrap up. Here are seven photos of seven countries...enjoy! #166 - Bulgaria My second attempt at getting into this country - and I barely made it in. The city was beautiful! I was surprised by all the big, - [Great Scott! 24 Hours in Edinburgh.](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/24-hours-in-scotland/) - Quickie It broke my heart to spend so little time in such an amazing city as Edinburgh...it was not my intention, but sometimes you just have to deal with inflexible flight schedules. I'd found an amazing deal on a British Airways business class ticket, mid-pandemic, back in March of 2021. The airlines were almost giving - [The Belfast and the Furious](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/northern-ireland/) - BEEN I’ll start by noting that Northern Ireland is not its own country. Well, I guess it depends on who you ask; but it is definitely not one of the 193 fully recognized nations that I'm on a mission to visit. It belongs to the UK, just like Scotland, Wales and a handful of others. - [50 Travel Tips](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/travel-tips/50-travel-tips/) - Here are 50 Travel Tips...some are no-brainers, while some you might never have thought of. I hope at least a couple can help you someday. Happy travels! Passports, Visas and Documents -Enroll in Global Entry (if you're American). It allows you to skip the customs and immigration line when returning to the U.S. from out - [Яandy Яambles in Яussia!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/яandy-яambles-in-яussia/) - Well It's About Time The most common response I'd been handed after telling my friends I was going to Russia: "You haven't been to Russia yet???" Well there was no particular reason, really. There are 193 countries on the planet and I'm not necessarily seeing them in any specific order - besides trying to get - [4th Stan...SlowJAMastan!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/4th-stan-slowjamastan/) - There's a New Stan in Town Back in August I visited my very first micro nation: The Republic of Molossia. Not only did I have a blast--my favorite part was meeting the President--but I left inspired. Dammit, I want a country of my own now! So The Republic of Slowjamastan was born. "Dude, I saw - [Stan #3: Tajikistan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/stan-3-tajikistan/) - Third and Final Stan (This Run) As soon as I reached the immigration booths, I realized the people here were not the same as in the previous two "Stans." The lady actually looked Persian - nothing like the folks I saw in Uzbekistan and definitely not like Kyrgyzstan. I'd been told that Tajikistan has a - [Journey to The Republic of Molossia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/the-republic-of-molossia/) - Did you even know that another country existed situated inside Nevada? A whole other nation? I booked my ticket. I had to see it. @sundaynightslowjamsThe Republic of Molossia ##Molossia ##travel ##MicroNation♬ Fair Molossia is Our Home - Slow Jams with R Dub Caution: Rabbit Hole First, a stern warning: There is a BIG chance this - [Stan #1: Kyrgyzstan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/stan-1-kyrgyzstan/) - Stan Number One Sigh. The “Stans...” a magical and mystical group of five Central Asian nations that most Americans have never even heard of. There’s Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. I’d come to memorize those five names over the past few years (and even their capitals) as my mission to visit every country began - [Stan #2: Uzbekistan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/stan-2-uzbekistan/) - Stan Number Two (See Number One HERE) I was pretty jazzed about flying into Tashkent on Uzbekistan Airways. Who gets to do that? The flight attendants were pleasant (and pretty), the safety video was not only well produced but fantastically cultural. The food was decent (and different). This concludes my review of Uzbekistan Airways. I’m - [Afghanistan Banana Stand](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/afghanistan-banana-stand/) - What's the Password? I kept going back to my teenage years, when an older co-worker at the radio station I worked for used to tell me that the secret word was "Afghanistan Banana Stand." I always thought that was funny, and never in a million years could I have ever imagined that I would actually - [A Taste of Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/a-taste-of-pakistan-karachi-lahore-islamabad/) - One young man even made it a point to request that when I return to the US, I tell all my friends that, "We are not terrorists...we want peace. We welcome Americans to come visit and see." It was very moving. One Wrong Move... Mom had been warning me for years that “getting old sucks.” - [Barging into Bulgaria](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/barging-into-bulgaria/) - Nail Biter I held my breath and tried to look natural while I was waiting for the immigration officer to stamp me in. I never know where to look while they have my passport. Do I look at them? Or look away? I was just about to let out a sigh of relief when I - [Bulgaria or Bust](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/bulgaria-or-bust/) - Push the Panic Button My heart sank into my stomach as I walked towards the man at the desk in uniform. Why was he stamping passports? Would he stamp mine? But I wasn't leaving the EU! Ker-PLUNK went the stamper. Usually a joyous sound for my ears, but the opposite this time. Inside I shrieked - [Best French Toast](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-french-toast/) - If you've read at least a couple of my blogs, you know my one vice isn't alcohol or weed...it's sweets! I have a major and insatiable sweet tooth. It's hard to stay away from candy, desserts, cake, etc...I love it all! Which is why awarding a "Best-Of" nod to the French toast at Breakfast Republic - [The Marvels of Malta](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/the-marvels-of-malta/) - The Taste of Sweet Victory Touching down in the final country on any of my trips is always somewhat of a victory. It's always a crap-shoot when you're traveling to a ton of countries very quickly: Canceled flights and rejected visa applications can easily cause you to miss one or more stops. Add a pandemic - [Going-Going, Back-Back, to Cali-Cali](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america-2/cali-colombia/) - We rounded one tight corner and I swear a big truck missed our hood by a millisecond! My heart jumped out of my chest as I was certain this was a head-on collision. The big Jesus on the hill was watching over us - the vehicles missed each other by a hair. --- Volver, Volver - [Exploring Belgrade's Western City Gate aka Genex Building](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/exploring-belgrades-western-gate-aka-genex-building/) - First Impressions I'll never forget my first memory of Serbia and the first thing that caught my eye as the taxi barreled down the highway from the airport into town: Towering over the city was this massive gray building consisting of two towers and a huge circular disk on top that looked like a giant - [Panama](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/panama/) - So 2000 and Late I started this website in 2015 and have done a pretty good job at chronicling my journeys in near real-time. But creating entries for trips I'd taken before this website was born has proven to be quite a task - mostly because memory fades over time. That's one of the reasons - [What It's Like Flying First Class to Asia (PICS + VIDEO)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/my-very-first-first-class-flight-to-asia/) - I don't think I can ever fly coach again. Or fly on an American airline. Flying first class on an Asian airline was absolutely heaven, in every way. The service, the food, the amenities and of course the seat/bed/room was just amazing. Where to start? First things first: how the hell did I pull off a - [8 Countries, 8 Photos: June 2021 Trip Re-Cap](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/june-2021-trip-re-cap-8-countries/) - I'm a Ramblin' Man My June 2021 journey was special for many reasons. First, it was the first itinerary cancelled due to Corona Virus. Originally booked in 2019 for travel in March 2020, I was really, really excited to hit the Lebanon-Cyprus-Malta circuit. But we all remember, it was March 2020 when all the Corona - [It's Complicated: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/its-complicated-the-turkish-republic-of-northern-cyprus/) - It’s Complicated My country #164 was Cyprus, but it’s not that cut and dry. Cyprus is an island consisting of three nations, actually – and that only depends on whom you ask. The history of Cyprus is long, complicated, and—to me—incredibly intriguing. I’m just recently learning about this country and its borders, suitors, invaders and - [Extreme Layover: Turkey](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/turkey/) - NOTICE: This "Extreme Layover" took place at the old Istanbul (Atatürk) airport. Go HERE to read about my layover at the new airport. I love free (long) layovers, especially connections in countries I've never visited: it's like a free trip, where I can leave the airport, grab a meal, soak in some of the local - [Tunisia...Take Two](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/tunisia-take-two/) - I don't know if I was scared, nervous, confused, or excited. I mean, I wanted to do some super-legit stuff in Tunis to make up for that first trip, but wow, this was surreal. The Do-Over This was actually my second trip to Tunisia, as I could not, in good conscience, count my first time - [Nauru](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/nauru/) - EDITOR'S NOTE: BY REQUEST, SOME OF THE NAMES OF PEOPLE MENTIONED BELOW HAVE BEEN CHANGED/DELETED. (All photos taken by Randy) I’m a Ramblin’ Man I awoke at 3:30AM, eyes burning from the lack of sleep, and walked from my hotel in downtown Brisbane, Australia, to Central Station. I grabbed the first train to the airport. - [My Two Loves: Travel and Tacos](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/my-two-loves-travel-and-tacos/) - Last week I got about two dozen emails from friends around the world, alerting me to McCormick's newest (and just ingenious) employee posting for their very first "Director of Taco Relations." WOW! For those who don't know, I've been an over-the-top taco fanatic for decades. Watch the video below for proof. The application window was - [Cyprus Hill](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/cyprus-hill/) - It’s Complicated My country #164 was Cyprus, but it’s not that cut and dry. Cyprus is an island consisting of three nations, actually – and that only depends on whom you ask. The history of Cyprus is long, complicated, and—to me—incredibly intriguing. I’m just recently learning about this country and its borders, suitors, invaders and - [My Visit to Akrotiri & Dhekelia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/my-visit-to-akrotiri-dhekelia/) - The Club Most of my friends and readers know I'm on a pretty distinct mission: to travel to all 193 countries on the planet. While 193 is the number of UN member nations, there are, however, many other “lists” besides that most-common "193." The Travelers Century Club counts 329 countries. Their list includes many territories, - [Tunisia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/tunisia/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Tunisia was the twelth country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through nine, please go HERE. It’s best to read the - [Hey Bey-Bey: Let's go to Lebanon!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/hey-bey-bey-lets-go-to-lebanon/) - Sittin', Waitin', Wishin' I’d spent the last six months without treats and braving an insane intermittent fasting plan. I managed to lose 27 pounds with the sole purpose of eating my way through Beirut. I’d never been more excited about the food of any country and knew if I didn’t shed some serious weight before - [December 2020 West-African Trip Re-Cap](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/december-2020-west-african-trip-re-cap/) - Even I admit, attempting to travel multiple counties in Africa on a tight and fast schedule during the pandemic was silly, risky and maybe even dumb, no doubt. But I’d secured the perfect route and mileage redemption into the unseen (by me) disputed territory of Western Sahara nearly a year ago. I’d already canceled so - ["Can't Believe It's This Close!" - My Trip to La Paz, Mexico](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/visit-la-paz-mexico/) - I've been serious about travel (like, really serious) for a little over a decade. When people find out how much I travel and how many places I've been to (162 countries to date), the most common question/assumption that follows, is: You must travel for work! Defeated, I tell them, "Nah, just for fun (womp-womp)," adding, - [Swiss Beats](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/switzerland/) - So Short But So Sweet My stop in Zurich was so quick but so awesome. It was the end of my very first multi-country trip: the kind of trip where I see a crap-load of countries in a very short amount of time...this was the first time doing that! This specific trip was actually paramount - [The Wild Wild West(ern Sahara)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/the-wild-wild-western-sahara/) - I was really geeked out about this one. Western Sahara is actually not part of the infamous "193" list of fully UN-recognized nations. But it is part of the five "partially" recognized countries, often included in some people's "197" or "198" list of countries. Let me explain... There are 193 fully recognized members of the - [Applying for my Venezuelan Tourist Visa at the San Francisco Consulate](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/applying-for-my-venezuelan-tourist-visa-at-the-san-francisco-consulate/) - Jeeze, where do I start? I guess I'll begin by saying my 2016 trip to Caracas is one of the trips I've been most excited about in a long time, and for all the wrong reasons. Apparently, Venezuela is pretty dangerous. How dangerous, you ask? Well, let me put it to you this way: Often - [Senegal Twice and Thrice (So Nice!)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/senegal-twice-and-thrice/) - Note: This blog details my second and third visits to Senegal. For visit number one, please GO HERE. Soft Spot Senegal will always have a place in my heart. It was the first (mainland) country in Africa that I set foot in, just four years ago, although it seems like a lifetime. I use Senegal - [I'm Just Ghana Leave This Right Here](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/im-ghana-just-leave-this-right-here/) - Note: My first time in Ghana was actually part of my very first trip to Mother Africa--back in 2016--which today, seems so long ago. You can GO HERE to see the report of my first time in Ghana here. I'm Ghana Tell You a Little Story... I've been back to Africa too many times to - [Ghana](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/ghana/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Ghana was the sixth country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through five, please go HERE. It’s best - [More São Tomé, Less Principe!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/more-sao-tome-less-principe/) - Celebration Time (C'mon!) Landing in São Tomé on New Year's Eve was nothing short of a miracle (many, actually), and serious cause for celebration. São Tomé and Principe was country #162 for me, and ceremoniously, the last of seven new countries on this end-of-year mid-pandemic West African adventure. I won't spend time re-hashing the horror - [Compare and Contrast: Four Fantastic São Tomé Beaches to Enjoy](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/compare-and-contrast-four-fantastic-sao-tome-beaches-to-enjoy/) -  Life's a Beach! I visited the incredible island nation of São Tomé e Principe in January 2021. It was the last of nine countries on an insane mid-pandemic end-of-year West African adventure that I was foolish enough to embark on. I almost didn't even make it to São Tomé - numerous times! So once - [Where to Stay in Bissau: Compare and Contrast](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-bissau-compare-and-contrast/) - Bissau, the capital of Guinea Bissau, is one of the least visited countries in the world, and one of the hardest places to get in and out of, due to an obscene lack of flights servicing OXB. In all of my travel experience (162 countries to date), I've never had a more difficult time visiting - [Gimme Gimme Guinea](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/gimme-gimme-guinea/) - Mission: Impossible My strut onto flight HC202 from Dakar, Senegal felt more like a victory lap, as I showed my ticket and took a seat among 100-plus Africans dressed in colorful dresses and boubous. I was the only gringo on the flight, and that's just the way I like it. Flying into Guinea was nothing - [The Trials and Tribulations of Getting in and Out of Sierra Leone](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/sierra-leone/) - I Walk the Line As I walked into the Sierra Leone border checkpoint, I breathed a sigh a relief to see the glass windows and booths where travelers present their passports to get stamped in - a sign that maybe this country was just a little more developed and had more of a normal "system" - [Lovin' Liberia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/love-in-liberia/) - Welcome to Liberia I wasn't too excited about an overnight flight into my 157th country, but if you thought routes and schedules were bad in normal times, traveling West Africa during the pandemic--on a tight schedule--is nearly impossible. It's amazing how small and close all these little nations are to each other, yet how difficult - [The Gambia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/the-gambia/) - Well, hello #158! The Gambia was part of my December 2020 mid-pandemic West African end-of-year journey. I arrived into Banjul from Casablanca just before 2AM. My driver Kemo was waiting for me at the airport. We exchanged pleasantries on the way to my hotel. We'd have a lot more time to get to know each - [Natal em Bissau...UAU! (Christmas in Bissau...WOW!)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/natal-em-bissau-uau-christmas-in-bissau-wow/) - I'm so Excited (and I Just Can't Hide it) I have a ton of photos, but first, some text. I need to preface this blog by explaining why I was so amped to see Guinea Bissau. Of all seven new countries on this December 2020 mid-pandemic West African itinerary, I was most pumped up about - [I'm a Guay??? No, Uruguay!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/uruguay/) - Humble Beginnings Where do I start? I'm going to attempt to write about a trip that happened over 10 years ago. Luckily, I snapped a few photos and videos, and still have my airline itineraries saved to my email - so I'll try and piece the details of this trip together the best I can, - [#149 - Liechtenstein!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/vaduz-liechtenstein/) - Last Stop: Liechtenstein Liechtenstein was the last stop (before heading home through Zurich) on my July 2020 European trip, smack dab in the middle of the pandemic. Thankfully, the trip had worked out so well. I was so afraid of being turned back at each new border I timidly approached, but I'd successfully entered and - [Europe Mania...Lithuania!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/europe-mania-lithuania/) - Red Rover Red Rover, Can Randy Come Over? Usually the tickle in my tummy on the airplane comes from turbulence and/or a slight fear of flying (who would’ve imagined, right?) But this nervous feeling was from something totally different. As we touched down in Vilnius, Lithuania, I was the fifth passenger off. The anxiety increased - [June 2020 Trip Recap](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/covid-19-edition/) - First World Problems With deaths literally in the hundreds of thousands (and climbing), millions of job losses, countless family businesses ruined and the global economy annihilated, it would be pretty insensitive for me to cry “woe is me” over cancelled vacation plans…it’s the definition of champagne problems. I questioned whether or not I should even - [Hungary Like the Wolf](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/hungary-budapest/) - Hungary, Hungary Hippo I’ll spare you all the tedious details on how I managed to weasel my way into Hungary smack dab on the middle of the Corona virus global pandemic, but the fact that I was able to get in at all was downright glorious – a feat that made other travelers ask, “How - [Bella Roose!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/minsk-belarus/) - Bella-Whose? I remember the very first time I ever heard of the nation of Belarus. I was on a cruise ship many years ago, long before I was a serious traveler. Most of the staff were foreigners, with their country listed on their name tag. I remember asking my Mom, “Mom, where’s Bell-ARE-us?” “It’s pronounced - [Meet me in Moldova](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/chisinau-moldova-transnistria/) - Moldova, Moldova, Send Randy Right Ova Moldova was probably the trickiest stop on this twelve-nation European trek during the heart of the Corona virus pandemic. I'd hastily booked a ton of flights: I assumed these nations would open based on a handful of unofficial blogs I'd read. While the intel was correct about some countries - [The Asian Side of Istanbul](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/the-asian-side-of-istanbul/) - This page is password protected, ask me for access. This page is password protected, ask me for access. This page is password protected, ask me for access. This page is password protected, ask me for access. This page is password protected, ask me for access. This page is password protected, ask me for access. This page is password protected, ask - [North Macedonia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/skopje-north-macedonia/) - Iiiiiiiin North Macedonia, Born and Raised... North Macedonia was smack dab in the middle of my July 2020 pandemic grand voyage. A stressful and complicated trip that involved border permits, special health insurance certificates, Corona test result scans, quarantine tracking apps and a handful of other miscellaneous documents and forms. There's no doubt that traveling - [That's Where I Wanna Go...Way Down to Kosovo](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/pristina-kosovo/) - Bus Stop(ped) I waited until 11:20AM before walking back into the Skopje Central Bus Station and inquire about the 11AM bus to Pristina that I’d bought a ticket for the day before. I'd been sitting by myself at the departure bay since 10:30 with no sign of the coach. “Border closed, no boose,” explained the - [Nice 'N' Slo...venia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/ljubljana-slovenia/) - Road Trip! July 2020 was a tough time for any American to be traveling through Europe. For all intents and purposes, Americans couldn't travel to Europe. And while the EU had opened its borders on July 1st, you were not permitted to enter on an American passport. Luckily, I'd been graciously given an "exception" by - [I Kraine, U Kraine, We All Kraine...](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/ukraine/) - Stop! Corona Time! It was late June of 2020 when I said I’d had just about enough of “sheltering in place.” I was ready to travel again. You might want to start HERE: I tell the story of traveling during this pandemic in great detail, including how I managed to weasel my way into the - [Extreme Layover: Frankfurt](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/munich/) - Not Cleared for Landing Normally I wouldn't have been so excited to visit Germany: Nothing against Germany, I love Germany...but it's usually an easy place to travel to and a very common destination for tourists - a big departure from the rare-slash-risky places that get my adrenaline pumping. But this time was different: You see, - [Extreme Layover: Latvia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/extreme-layover-latvia/) - Extreme Layover I would've booked a longer stay in Riga, however at the time (October 2020), Latvia was the country on my itinerary with the strictest entry requirements, shutting out even many of its European neighbors. I figured if I'd get any hassle trying to enter the country, that officials might be a little more - [It'll Be a Cold Day Hel...Sinki!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/itll-be-a-cold-day-hel-sinki/) - Amateur Hour on The Ramblin' Randy Show 152 countries in and yet I still continue to make the amateur mistake of taking cab rides without first asking/confirming "how much." To my credit, I actually almost always ask the cost first—95% of the time—but this was one of those rare instances when I didn’t. After all, - [Estonia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/estonia/) - Ferry Tales Half the fun was getting there. I suppose for residents of Finland and Estonia--and a few other places, like Gibraltar, Hong Kong, etc.--traveling to a completely different country via ferry is just everyday life. But for an American like me, this is a big deal. I've crossed a gazillion borders via bus, train - [San Marino](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/san-marino/) - The San Marino Situation San Marino taunted me from the map each time my eyes scanned over Europe. I'd been to Italy at least five times and each visit I'd neglected to see her. I think back to 2005, long before I got the travel bug, when I was "stuck" in Italy for days, wanting - [A Tale of Six Cities: Montenegro](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/a-tale-of-six-cities-montenegro/) - Hang Time My average stop in a country is somewhere around 1.3 nights per nation, so three full nights in Montenegro would be somewhat of a luxury for me. We can thank the fine folks in Bulgaria for turning me away, opening up some extra time for country #155. I'm actually glad it worked out - [The Rainia in Albania Lies Mainly on the Plainia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/the-rainia-in-albania-lies-mainly-on-the-plainia/) - Grumpy Gus I wasn't in Tirana but 90 minutes and I already wanted to go home. It was that rare but poisonous combination of being my very last stop (I was exhausted), raining cats and dogs (enough to have soaking wet sneakers), having just left my favorite country on the trip (Montenegro was absolutely stunning) - [My Travel Style Explained: The Buffet](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/about/my-travel-style-explained-the-buffet/) - The explanation is long overdue. While I never tire about talking travel, I think it's most efficient to write a short blurb answering the questions on the topic I get asked about the most: traveling fast. Many of my friends, family, acquaintances and readers often ask me how and why I travel so "fast." Common - [Argentina](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/argentina/) - Humble Beginnings Argentina was near the very beginning of my exploratory travels, at country number 11. Besides Brasil and Mexico, most of my traveling experience was made up of quick cruise stops with my family...pretty much jumping off the boat for a few hours with hoards of other tourists, to go on a pre-arranged "excursion," - ["More Balls Than Brains"
The 50 Most Dangerous Cities in the World, and Apparently I've Visited Many of Them](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/more-balls-than-brains/) - My uncle summed it up best when he told me that "I have more balls than brains." That was his message to me on facebook when he discovered I went to North Korea. I can't argue with him. He's probably right. And now, I'm sitting here shaking my head at my decision to travel to the world's - [Are You a Flying D-Bag? Answer These 10 Questions to Find Out!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/are-you-a-flying-d-bag-answer-these-10-questions-to-find-out/) - "Those" people... We’ve all seen it: folks on the plane who have no concept on how to behave as civilized grown-ups. You scratch your head and have to wonder, “Who raised these people?” How hard can common sense and the most basic of manners be to practice, especially on an airplane, where you should be - [Three Days in Nauru (VIDEO)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/three-days-in-nauru-video/) - My 2016 trip to Nauru was everything I expected and more...far, fun, bizarre...it was so cool to be in a place virtually no one else goes. I published a blog on Nauru when I returned and received mostly positive feedback from Nauruans, telling me they were glad that someone finally wrote about the beauty of - [7 Obscure Airlines You'll Probably Never Fly In Your Life](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/7-obscure-airlines-youll-probably-never-fly-in-your-life/) - I've flown Delta, United and American Airlines hundreds upon hundreds of times. Spirit, JetBlue and Southwest...of course! KLM, Air France and Mexicana, sí! All the "standard airlines," check! Maybe that's why I appreciate experiencing new and downright obscure and bizarre carriers when I travel overseas. For me, the weirder, the better. Could be the funny - [Around the World in 11 Days: 11 Photos](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/around-the-world-in-11-days-11-photos/) - March 2019: I didn't necessarily mean to fly all the way around the globe...but after all the flights were booked, it just kinda laid out that way. Here's what the route looked like: San Francisco (west) to Singapore, to connect for the Maldives. Three nights in the Maldives, then a direct flight to Sri Lanka - [2019 Travel Recap: 34 Countries, 34 Photos](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/2019-travel-recap-34-countries-34-photos/) - In order, here's what 2019 looked like. I'm so happy and grateful to have seen so many amazing places and met so many great people. To expand on each country, use the navigation menu to find each full story. Here we go! Thanks for stopping by and scrolling all the way through. I have most - [Best Hot Dog](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-hot-dog/) - This isn't just any hot dog...I speak of the infamous Sonoran Hot Dog. How these treasures haven't spread internationally, is beyond me - but I've seen them start to pop up in places like San Diego and Salt Lake City, so I feel it's only a matter of time. Sonoran Dogs were born and live - [Deep Inside Mother Africa: Central African Republic](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/bangui-africa-central-african-republic/) - Get Outta my Dreams and into my CAR Here I was, over 130 countries visited, on my quest to see all 193...and almost all of the "tough" ones done. I'd purposely visited the harder ones first, to get them out of the way in the beginning. And this strategy had paid off: For example, if - [Tuvalu](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/tuvalu/) - Funafuti, We Have a Problem Just as the pilot of the Fiji Link AR-72 was about to touch down, the engines roared and the nose pitched up. It was a missed approach. As we circled back around the island for landing attempt number two, the flight attendant informed us that the go-around was due to - [Mexico](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/mexico/) - Won't You Be My Neighbor? What can I say about Mexico? I know her well. Mexico was the first country, outside of my own of course, that I'd ever traveled to, and it's the country that I've visited the most: easily over 100 times, probably closer to 200. From my first trip to San Felipe - [9 Countries, 9 Photos: Year-End Trip Recap](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/9-countries-9-photos-year-end-trip-recap/) - It was the kind of journey dreams are made of: a 24-day, 9-country itinerary that included luxury, risk, nature, city, adventure and solitude. Throw in an injured foot and a blown out back and you've got a recipe for fun! 18 flights, a handful of bucket list worthy cities, many wonderful people and a million - [Nicaragua](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/nicaragua/) - Coming soon! - [Travel Mania! Airplane Mania! Ro-Mania!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/travel-mania-airplane-mania-ro-mania/) - Wham Bam I'd have just 29 hours in Bucharest, so I'd hit the ground running. Actually, sleeping...as I landed at 3AM. My taxi got pulled over for speeding on the way to the hotel, so I wasn't asleep as soon as I wanted to be, but it was finally lights out at 4:30AM. I packed - [Deep Inside Africa: The Congo (Part I)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/republic-of-congo/) - "Mom, what country would you least want to visit?" Her answer: The Congo. Motherly Advice I think the first time I'd ever even heard of The Congo, was decades ago, as a curious kid, when I was asking my mom general questions about "the world." "What country in the whole wide world is the most - [Best International Radio Station](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-international-radio-stations/) - I'm excited to announce that the Ramblin' Randy Award for Best International Radio Station goes to (drum roll) Radio Skadar 107.9 in Beri, Montenegro! While it's listed online as an Alternative station, that's certainly not the type of music that I heard on my Sunday morning drive through the mountains. They were playing one of - [Best Place to Take a Selfie](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-place-to-take-a-selfie/) - Machu Picchu, Urubamba, Peru I've been fortunate enough to take a ton of really cool selfies: in front of Cristo Retendor in Rio, while strolling the Great Wall of China, in front of the giant "Supreme Leaders" statues in North Korea...but I think Machu Picchu takes the cake! Technically, these photos aren't true "selfies"--they weren't - [Italy](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/italy/) - Italy, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period of my life, when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–that I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that - [Exploring Eritrea](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/eritrea/) - This place played tricks on my mind. Was I in Italy or Africa? Was it 2018 or 1938? Eritrea was like nowhere else I'd ever been, and its people were as fascinating as its architecture. And why was the spaghetti so good here??? AARP Member-in-Training Getting old is starting to get tough. I tire out - [El Salvador](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/el-salvador/) - El Salvador is Spanish for..."The Salvador!" My 2014 visit to El Salvador was part of challenge to visit all of the Americas before turning 40. Since this was during the days before my serious traveling–and before my travel writing–the details will be sparse. I wish I would've kept a journal back then, because my quick, two-night stop - [Best Place to Jump in a River](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-place-to-jump-in-a-river/) - Zürich, Switzerland – Drahtschmidlisteg Bridge / Limmat River I really fell in love with Switzerland. My most memorable experience there was jumping off a bridge into the Limmat River with the locals. Europe was having an extreme heat wave this week. And that particular day was the hottest of the year so far in Zürich. I had just checked - [Indonesia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/indonesia-jakarta/) - When it comes to Indonesia, most tourists head straight to Bali. But I'm not most tourists. And the magic that I discovered in the city of Jakarta earned it a spot on my list of "places I need to live one day." I'll never forget all those precious smiles glowing under hijabs and groups of - [India-In-N-Out](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/india/) - Extreme Layover India was actually a long layover on the way to Africa. I’d land in New Delhi at 4:30PM and have to get back on a plane at 3:10AM the next morning. Factor in immigration and security, and I figured I had a good four or five hours to see Delhi. It’d have to - [Honduras: Rain in Roatan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/honduras/) - I'll just come right out and say it. This trip was a disaster. For years I've dreamed of swimming and snorkeling the paradise that is Roatan, and sadly, I was flooded out the entire four-night stay. My fault for booking this trip during the rainy season. This was in the very beginnings of my extreme - [Don't Hate on Haiti](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/haiti-2015/) - Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone There are a handful of countries on my “danger” list, and Haiti has always been one of them. I can’t give you one specific reason, but I’ve always heard it was a dangerous place. I know it’s a very poor country, and have heard from various people that white - [Guyana](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/guyana/) - For me, there was nothing quite like the feeling of a place so diverse; a land fused with Latin, Caribbean and African cultures, all mixed together to make one steamy, hot, thick pot of real-life gumbo. This place was weird, in all the right ways. Guyana Number Three This was my very first trip venturing - [Guatemala Holla](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/guatemala/) - My 2014 visit to Guatemala was part of challenge to visit all of the Americas before turning 40. Since this was during the days before my serious traveling–and before my travel writing–the details will be sparse. I wish I would’ve kept a journal back then, because my quick, two-night stop into the small town of Antigua was a - [Grenada](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/grenada/) - Hop On, Hop Off Landed at 1:25PM, wheels up again at 5:00PM. This was one tight layover! Luckily, there was an absolutely gorgeous beach just four minutes away. The cabbie dropped me off at Grande Anse Beach, where I grabbed lunch at Umbrella's Beach Bar. This place was perfect, right on the sand. I had - [Georgia on my Mind](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/georgia/) - Georgia On My Mind I had just 22 hours in Tbilisi, and a quick stop like this can either go very wrong or very right. Thankfully, my stop in Georgia was all things right. How can you not love a city that loves you back? The city's "Tbilisi Loves You" slogan was everywhere, and if - [Fiji](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/fiji/) - Non-stop to Fiji Fiji was part of a three-nation, Thanksgiving vacation for me, and was the flight hub for me to see both Tonga and Tuvalu as well: a total of three new countries and I was so ready to clock-in on island time as 2017 wrapped up. I knew I was going to enjoy the - [Ethiopia Express](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/ethiopia/) - I couldn’t believe I was back in Africa after being there less than three months ago. My December trip took me to 12 African countries in less than three weeks and wore me out! As much as I loved it, it was also uncomfortable and even scary at times. My last trip included some dangerous - [Big Trouble in Little France: Fight or Flight in French Guiana](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/french-guyana/) - The teardrop tattoo underneath his right eye was the only warning label I needed; it was clear that I was dealing with an unstable character. How did I know he wasn't wielding a knife, razor blade, or hypodermic needle inside his pocket or under his shirt...or even something more dangerous? Places Unknown First of all, - [(Kind of) Seeing the Pyramids in the Dark: An Adventurous Overnight Layover in Cairo](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/kind-of-seeing-the-pyramids-in-the-dark-an-adventurous-overnight-layover-in-cairo/) - I certainly wanted to see Cairo and its magnificent pyramids in broad daylight, but sometimes life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. First, Some Travel Details, Woes and Challenges Here are some travel notes about scheduling difficult trips. You can skip this if you like, by scrolling down until you the first - [Dominican Republic](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/dominican-republic/) - You Take the Good, You Take the Bad... This was one of the few trips I've had in my life--maybe the only trip--that I didn't really enjoy. It's the only trip that I've ever actually cut short--and went home early! The DR was an interesting trip that consisted of two parts: Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. - [Dominica](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/dominica/) - One of These Things is Not Like the Other Dominica was part of a crazy 10-day, 10-island trip...yes, a whirlwind TEN islands in TEN days; it was insane. And though I enjoyed every island I landed on, many of them just kind of "blended in." Ask me the difference between St. Kitts and St. Martin, - [Feelin' on Djibouti](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/feelin-on-djibouti/) - Wait, Where? Probably my favorite country name to “say,” Djibouti is pronounced “Jih-Booty.” If you say it fast, it’s almost like, “Ya booty!,” which makes the six-year-old in me giggle. Djibouti (I’m still giggling) is situated in the horn of Africa, under Ertirea and above Somalia. I don’t know why, but I had a feeling - [Denmark](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/denmark/) - Grouch First a disclaimer: I was one cranky muhfugga when I was in Copenhagen, so this report may be a little bit biased. I hadn't achieved a full night's sleep in almost a week, since arriving in Europe; my body clock was refusing to adjust and day number six was just about my breaking point. - [Czech Yo' Self Before Ya Wreck Yo' Self!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/czech-republic/) - The Motherland My background is Czech...well at least half of it. I carry a very uncommon Czech last name (common there, not here.) I have grainy visions of my grandparents speaking the native tongue when I was a tot. I definitely remember Grandmother's Czech-style baking (it's probably where I got my love of cookies!) My - [Neato Quito](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/ecuador-2/) - She's Got That Vibe Ever since I started traveling frequently, I've noticed one thing: I'm usually able to get a "vibe" about a new place from very the instant that arrive: within the hour, sometimes even after the first few minutes after stepping off the plane. Good or bad, or sometimes in-between, it doesn't take my brain long - [Cuba](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/cuba/) - Time is Running Out If you've ever wanted to go to Cuba, go now, please. No really, get off my website and book a trip now. Ever since Obama started lifting sanctions on Cuba, the once restricted country is getting more and more Americanized, day by day, and it won't be long before there are - [Côte d’Ivoire](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/cote-divoire/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Côte d’Ivoire was the seventh country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through six, please go HERE. It’s best to - [Costa Rica](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/costa-rica/) - Amazing Race Two trips here. My first 2014 visit to Costa Rica was part of my challenge to visit all of the Americas before turning 40. Since this was during the days before my serious traveling–and before my travel writing–the details will be few: I didn't take a ton of notes, but luckily snapped some photos - [Colombia: Compare and Contrast
Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/colombia-2/) - There's no doubt Colombia is a fantastic place to visit--but which city to choose? The nation's major districts are nothing alike. Luckily, R Dub runs 'em down for you, story by story and photo by photo and you may be surprised by his favorite. Why is/was Colombia so special to me? Colombia was the very - [China](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/china/) - Long Time Listener, First Time Caller It was the moment I'd dreamed about and plotted for almost twenty years. I was in my early twenties when I came up with the plan: I figure I'd never be able to afford a first class ticket to Asia, so I'd sign up for one of those air-mile - [Canada](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/canada/) - Not Your Normal Trip Canada was only my sixth country--a long, long time ago, and over a decade before I started keeping this online journal of my travels...nonetheless, an absolutely epic trip; a trip with a purpose. As crazy as this sounds, I traveled all the way to Canada with the sole purpose of visiting - [Cabo Verde](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/cabo-verde-cape-verde/) - Africa Express As the ancient 757 plopped down on the runway, the passengers erupted in thunderous applause, as if they were expecting a different outcome. I was amazed that I could go from Brasil to Africa, in just three and a half hours; albeit a turbulent trip. In fact, it was this new route that - [Burkina Faso](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/burkina-faso/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa. Burkina Faso was the third country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through two, please go HERE. It’s - [Who's The Boss-nian?](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/whos-the-boss-nian/) - Reporting Live from Sarajevo I grew up watching Dan Rather and Peter Jennings dole out updates on the "war in Sarajevo" as a kid. Of course, at the time, I had no real conception of war, much less even where Sarajevo was even located. And of course, never in a million years did I ever - [Bolivia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/bolivia/) - Lots of Photos, Not Too Many Words My trip to Bolivia was in May of 2015, just before I started traveling the world seriously, and unfortunately, before I started writing about my travels. I do have a few, very specific and special memories; and luckily I did snap away and bring home lots of pictures...but - [Belize](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/belize-2/) - You Won't Belize It Well...I have failed you. It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period of my life, when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–that I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that unquenchable - [Barbados](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/barbados/) - QuikTrip My Barbados stop was one of the shortest stays, on a ten-country Caribbean jaunt that was only nine days long. I landed at 8:20PM and would leave the next day at 12:30PM, so we're talking only a couple of hours to really enjoy this island. Such a shame, because it's a gorgeous place! It - [Travel Advice: 5 Reasons You Should Never Use Travelocity](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/travel-advice-5-reasons-you-should-never-use-travelocity/) - Why I Refuse to Ever Use Travelocity Again...and Why You Should Too I was probably one of Travelocity's most loyal customers. I've been with them since the 90s; since the concept of online travel was new. I've booked hundreds, yes hundreds of trips on Travelocity--from flights to hotels to rental cars. Faithfully. Travelocity even sent - [Paraguay](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/paraguay/) - The Amazing Race My 2015 visit to Asunción was part of challenge to visit all of the Americas before turning 40. Since this was during the days before my serious traveling--and before my travel writing--the details will be sparse. Although uneventful, I really did enjoy the city. It was nice being in such a big - [The Most Ridiculous/Insane/Weird Trip Ever](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/the-most-ridiculous-trip-ever/) - 14 countries, 4 continents, 20 days. This traveling thing may be becoming an unhealthy addiction. I realize I'm not normal. While most people stick to one destination, maybe two max, per vacation...I try to cram as many countries into my itinerary as humanly possible. And while it may seem fun--and for the most part it - [See Ya In Antigua](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/antigua/) - Antigua was a super quick stop--one of ten islands in a week--so I don't have a ton to say about the island. My plane landed at 3:15PM and departed the next day 7:10AM, so I literally only had time to check in to the hotel, hit the beach, eat, and get a few hours sleep - [Bonaire, Don't Care](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/bonaire-travel-abc/) - They warned me to keep the window all the way up or all the way down, or the weight of the donkeys would shatter the glass! I don't think I purchased donkey-coverage insurance for the rental car, so I proceeded with extreme caution. Last Minute I tried for hours to make it work: a weekend - [The Brasil Story:
How Determination and a Dream Got me to Paradise](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/brasil/) - Not many people get to quit their jobs, pack up, and move to paradise, but Brasil had made such an impact on my life, I knew I had just had to be there. Nothing would stop me. Here's my story. A different blog entry This article is not like the others. Unlike the standard one-page - [Azores](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/azores/) - Azores, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period of my life, when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–that I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that - [Taiwan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/taiwan/) - Taiwan Take One The details are sketchy. I took this trip before I was a serious blogger, so today, as I write this--four years after the trip--I have only a handful of photos and some scattered memories to share with you. Most of the other articles on this website include well chronicled tales with hour-by-hour - [Portugal](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/portugal/) - Lisbon, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period of my life, when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–that I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that - [Monaco](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/monaco/) - Monaco, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period of my life, when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–that I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that - [Cayman Islands](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/cayman-islands/) - Grand Cayman was a stop on my very first cruise, with my mom...must have been 2004ish? I only had a few hours there. I don't remember much, except hopping off the ship for an excursion to a turtle farm and to Hell. Yes, I went to Hell. Seriously! Hell is actually what I remember the - [Malaysia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/malaysia/) - I couldn’t believe how many women were in hijabs as I made my way through Kuala Lumpur’s Central (train) Station. As soon as I found wifi, I Googled Malaysia, to discover, to my surprise, the population was over 60% Sunni Muslim. I found that odd for an Asian country—this was the first Muslim country in - [Oman, Oh Man!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/oman-oh-man/) - Oman and Chill If I could sum up Oman in one word: chill. Also: safe, calm, clean and nice people; these are the things that I loved about Oman during my two-night stay in December of 2019. My original itinerary had me in Muscat for only a few hours: arriving from Kathmandu with just enough - [Some Kathmandu, Some Kathmandon't](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/some-kathmandu-some-kathmandont/) - Nepal? No, Pal. I’ve never wanted to leave a place quicker than this. Even before returning to the hotel from my initial, introductory “walk around the neighborhood,” I’d conceded defeat. I wanted outta here on the next flight. There’s no way I could remain here for three whole nights and not have a sour attitude. - [Bhucket-List: Bhutan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/bhutan/) - Bhutan I’d nearly forgot about all of the articles and YouTube videos I’d seen touting Bhutan’s Paro International Airport as one of the most dangerous places in the world to land, but I quickly remembered this once the plane hit an air pocket, passengers let out a howl, and the flight attendants grabbed on to - [The Mystique of Myanmar](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/the-mystique-of-myanmar/) - I definitely felt like a guest in someone else's house--someone's sacred home--so I kept the camera in my pocket for most of the day, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells with nothing but my senses. It was such a special place to be. Mission to Myanmar Myanmar is the kind of country that blows your - [AUDIO: I Was a Guest on WanderLearn Podcast](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/audio-i-was-a-guest-on-wanderlearn-podcast/) - This week I was honored to be guest on fellow traveler's Francis Tapon's travel podcast, WanderLearn. I had a great time talking travel with Francis...you can listen below! Here's Francis's description of the episode: In early 2020, Randy Williams has been to 142 countries. Although this is remarkable, it's especially impressive when you consider that - [One Night in Niger](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/niger/) - Welcome to Niger Niger was at the tail end of this three-week, sixteen-country African expedition. You could say it was the last country in Africa-Africa; it was my last stop before heading north to Morocco, where I’d ferry across the Straight of Gibraltar to catch my flight home from Madrid. It had been an amazing - [Laos Party](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/laos-party/) - Laos would be the first stop on a giant, eight-country, end-of-year mega-journey. The grand voyage had been in the works for almost a full year. This was the big one! And just getting to my first stop, the capital, Vientiane, would definitely be one long and complicated journey, but I sure had a good time - [Extreme Layover: Bangkok](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/extreme-layover-bangkok/) - And now, the moment I've been waiting for. I was super excited about this special stop and had crafted this master plan down to the second... The Vacation Before the Vacation I ain't 21 anymore. Long trips, with multiple flights, early wake up calls, heavy bags, long hikes, sketchy food and lots of foreign germs...all - [Thailand](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/thailand/) - I don’t know why I took so long to visit Thailand; maybe it’s because I was hung up on Brasil for nearly two decades. But it’s probably a good thing. Me in my 20s, in Thailand? That would’ve been dangerous. There are too many ways a young man can get in trouble here…for cheap! I - [My 5 Secrets to Frequent World Travel](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/ramblin-randy-shares-his-secret-to-flying-almost-free/) - I can't count the number of times I get asked: "How do you travel so much???" Today, I'll answer that question. For everyone. 1) I truly believe, with all my heart, you can do anything if you really want to. Keyword: "want." You have to really "want" it. I want to travel. I want it - [SCAM ALERT: The Burmese Bamboozle](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/dala-village-myanmar-rice-scam/) - Rice Rice Baby How could I not buy a big sack of rice for displaced victims of the 2008 cyclone that devastated Myanmar, taking the lives of over 130,000? What kind of selfish prick would say no to that? I’d just been shown the local village where these families who’d lost everything were staying, when - [Wow...Curação!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/wow-curacao/) - It is said that a former governor of the island who suffered from severe headaches, believing his malady was aggravated by the sun’s brilliant reflections off the white buildings, mandated that building exteriors be painted any color but white. Despite later discovery that the governor was a shareholder in the island’s only paint store, the - [22 Hours In Aruba](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/aruba/) - It looked and felt like a scene from many decades ago, and even though the themes of the area may have been centered around liquor and sex (and who knows what else), there was an air of playful innocence about it all; something straight out of a Porky's or American Graffiti film. Now I Know - [Kinshasa Fierce: Ramblin' in the DRC](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/kinshasa-fierce-ramblin-in-the-drc/) - I was attacked in the Congo...by a monkey. The Tale of Two Congos Country #133 for me was The Democratic Republic of The Congo, hereinafter referred to as the “DRC.” They say the visa for DRC can be tricky: it involves a signed and notarized invitation letter before you can even apply. I cover all - [Andorra The Explorra](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/andorra-the-explorra/) - You Missed A Spot What do Vatican City, Haiti, Lichtenstein and Andorra all have in common? I once happened to be thiiiiiiiis close to all of them, yet completely ignored them. A travesty, really, as today I spend hours and hours--days upon days--planning and plotting the perfect trip routes to make sure I include as - [Best Massage](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-massage/) - One of my favorite activities in life...ever...is receiving massages. You may not know it from the looks of my travel, but I'm actually quite the workaholic, and getting a massage every now and then helps me hold on to what little amount of sanity I have left. Enjoying an hour massage treatment is a way - [Some VatiCAN, Some VatiCAN'T...](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/some-vatican-some-vaticant/) - So Close, Yet so Far Away I can just kick myself for visiting Rome and not seeing Vatican City. What was I thinking?! And to think, I was actually “stuck” in Rome for three nights, yet it didn’t even dawn on the 32-year-old me to just walk right over to the Vatican. Years later, after - [The Magic of Morocco](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/morocco/) - Morocco: Three Times Dope To date, I've been to Morocco three times--more than any other African country I've visited, and each time was completely different...all great times that seemed to be getting better each visit. ------------ Morocco Visit #1: ------------ IMPORTANT NOTE: This first visit was part of a 12-chapter series on my trip - [Ferry from Paraguay to Argentina (Asunción to Clorinda) - Crossing the Border Over the River, Explained Here!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/ferry-from-paraguay-to-argentina-asuncion-to-clorinda-crossing-the-border-over-the-river-explained-here/) - The Quick Info There is a ferry! However it's not the type of boat that most Americans envision when they hear the word "ferry." It runs between Puerto Ita Enramada in Asunción, Paraguay and Puerto Pilcomayo in Clorinda, Argentina. Taxi drivers can get you there easily. For more details, including my story about crossing, read - [Extreme Layover: London](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/extreme-layover-london/) - London, We Meet Again! See, I knew I'd return! London was the last stop on my April 2019 trip around the world, which went like this: San Diego - San Francisco (connection) - Singapore (connection) - Maldives - Sri Lanka - Bangladesh - Kuwait - Bahrain - London (connection) - San Diego! I had a - [10 Photos from Dhaka, Bangladesh](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/10-photos-from-dhaka-bangladesh/) - 24 hours in Bangladesh. Here are my ten favorite photos. I hope you enjoy. Although short, my stop in Bangladesh was incredible. The country that fellow travelers had told me was their least favorite, earned a slot in my top ten before the afternoon was over. You can (and should) see my full report on - [Bangin' Around Bangladesh](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/bangin-around-bangladesh-dhaka/) - I'd traveled down rivers in strange boats, explored a city island, visited churches and mosques, rode in rickshaws and taxis, and almost saw a guy get killed. Above all, I'd been just completely showered with smiles and hospitality from the moment I arrived in Dhaka. Insane in the Brain Absolute bananas. Those are the best - [Extreme Layover: Croatia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/extreme-layover-croatia/) - Extreme Layover The flight from Rome to Sarajevo included an almost ten-hour layover in Croatia and I couldn’t wait to see the town. Most tourists travel to Dubrovnik, Croatia’s famous walled city, but this connection would introduce me to the capital, Zagreb, and that was fine with me: The fewer tourists, the better. Love Štruk - [In Memoriam: Hodan Nalayeh](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/in-memoriam-hodan-nalayeh/) - I met Hodan, digitally, after returning from my first trip to Mogadishu. I sent her the blog I wrote on my visit to Somalia. Though it was a risky venture, I found the Somalis I encountered to be friendly, warm, loving and anxious to get to know me. Hodan fit that description as well. She - [Greeced Lightning! A Most Relaxing Day in Corfu](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/greeced-lightning-a-most-relaxing-day-in-corfu/) - When people look at the giant map-of-the-world mural plastered on my office wall (it takes up the entire wall) they are impressed at the 125 countries I’ve seen, each designated with a pin, but always in shock when they discover I’ve yet to see such a popular destination as Greece. “Wait a minute; you’ve been - [England](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/england/) - England, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a time, when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–and I didn’t have that travel “bug;” that unquenchable thirst for - [Macau](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/macau/) - I took a last minute trip to Hong Kong this week and couldn't miss seeing Macau, which is right next door. I took the hour-long ferry ride to The City of Dreams on a boat operated by a company called Turbojet. It was a relaxing ride, and I slept for most of it--still wiped out and jet - [Inside Venezuela](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america/venezuela-2/) - On the way to the car, the driver sent and received a few texts. I wondered if he was was notifying the bad guys that we were en route so they'd know where to pull us over and rob or kidnap me. I learned you can't trust anyone in Venezuela, and my life was - [Blame it on Bahrain](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/blame-it-on-bahrain/) - History, culture, camels...my afternoon in Bahrain chronicled. Route Canal The Maldives to Bahrain, with a few stops in between. It was an interesting route, one that would take me completely around the world in less than two weeks, but somehow it all made sense. Between every flight being direct (once I made it to the Maldives), - [Name These American Brands Spelled in Arabic](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/name-these-american-brands-spelled-in-arabic/) - On a recent trip to Bahrain, I was amused by how many big American restaurant brands were all over the place! From pizza to burgers to donuts, apparently the Arabs really like their American junk food! How many of these eight American brands can you recognize from their iconic logos and fonts only? The answers - [Hold Up...Kuwait a Minute!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/hold-up-kuwait-a-minute/) - A warm breeze, a golden sunset, shiny buildings and clean roads. And lots of money. This was Kuwait. Extreme Layover: Kuwait City It was one of the best routed trips I'd ever managed to piece together. I used a credit card sign up bonus to fly business class from San Francisco to the Maldives, before - [Magnificent Maldives](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/maldives/) - One of These Trips is Not Like the Others It actually took me a second to get used to not seeing soldiers with giant guns and armored UN vehicles patrolling the streets. I’d been spending the last two years knocking out as much of Africa as I could handle on my way to 193 countries. - [Special Times in Sri Lanka](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/sri-lanka/) - Unfiltered beauty, mixed with a little colonial charm, a whole lotta spirit, and surprises for even the most experienced traveler. Do all the research you want, but come ready to discover things you never imagined! Friendly Skies I couldn’t believe the 85-minute flight from The Maldives to Colombo included such a nice hot breakfast. Sure, - [Ceuta by Sundown](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/wait-where-am-i-one-night-in-spanish-morocco/) - ...the finest Spanish wines, plates of fresh olives just fallen from the tree, accordion players, and beautiful women teaching me the native dances of Ceuta. There would be old men smoking Spanish cigars around the table, telling tales few have heard and somehow a horse would be involved in the story. UPDATE / CORRECTION, FEBRUARY - [My Top 10 Countries! (VIDEO)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/my-top-10-countries-video/) - I'm so excited to have been asked about my favorite countries from BuzzFeed and Bring Me! It was definitely tough, but here goes! Back in November I had the pleasure and privilege of visiting the BuzzFeed studios in Los Angeles to meet with their producers and talk about travel. It was a blast and they - [Spain](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/spain/) - Spain, We Have a Problem: About This Blog Entry It’s hard for even me to believe that there was a time in my life when travel didn’t excite me. But there was. There was actually a period in my life when I would travel–mostly cruises, with my family–when I didn’t have the travel “bug;” that - [Ramblin' on the Rock: My Day in Gibraltar.](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/ramblin-on-the-rock-my-day-in-gibraltar/) - Gibraltar was clean, organized, and welcoming; the architecture was neat and of course that giant rock--the centerpiece of it all--was just stunning. I wonder if the residents there just get used to it. Hard to imagine. The Morning After A few remaining Spanish jóvenes still donning their tuxes and party dresses were scattered throughout the - [22 days, 16 Countries, 4 Continents: December 2018 Trip Recap](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/22-days-16-countries-4-continents-december-2018-trip-recap/) - I wrapped up 2018 and brought in the new year with a huge voyage featuring one of the most aggressive and jam-packed schedules that I’ve ever put together. Here’s a quick recap: Fun with Geography: The Path Geographically, this was one of the most interesting and complex routes I’d ever assembled. I’d start in Cairo - [My Visit and Visa from the Consulate General of Bangladesh - Los Angeles](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/my-visit-and-visa-from-the-consulate-general-of-bangladesh-los-angeles/) - Moshi sat across the desk and seemed more like a new friend than a consulate worker, asking me why I'd only be in Bangladesh for a night. He was clearly disappointed, and mentioned to me all the things I'd miss, asking me if I'd consider staying longer. He was proud of his country, seemed happy - [Ramblin' Randy Preferred and Discounted Hotels](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/travel-tips/discount/) - Choose from thousands of hotels around the world. Check special discounts and rates by clicking the banner below: Booking.com - [Best Avocado Toast](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-avocado-toast/) - I'm not a hipster, and definitely not a follower...but avocado toast? Yes, I'll follow. And if that makes me look like a hipster, then hip-hip-hooray! I'm not afraid to say I love avocado toast. I've enjoyed it dozens of places, and it's never disappointe. And it's always been pretty consistent. Except today. Today was the - [Let's Go to Cotonou! 24 Hours in Benin](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/lets-go-to-cotonou-24-hours-in-benin/) - The energy here made the hair on my arms stand up. Cotonou’s vibe had quickly pierced my soul and was flowing through my blood. I don’t know why I felt so good, but the sudden rush took over my whole body and pulsated through my veins as I let the crowd carry me into the - [In the Zone: Gabon](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/in-the-zone-gabon/) - Gabon was chill and had a very comfortable vibe. It was the exact opposite of Cameroon, where people looked at me with scowls and suspicion, and finding places to eat was a challenge. Upgrade I ain’t mad at Gabon. The West African Francophone nation scored points with me simply because it wasn’t Cameroon. That place - [What the Heck is an Equatorial Guinea?](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/what-the-heck-is-an-equatorial-guinea/) - The overhead speakers were blaring Spanish Christmas music and my senses were overloaded and confused. I absolutely loved the fact that I was in Africa, and Spanish was the official language. The scenery looked like South Tucson, but the people didn't. Wait, Where? Equatorial Guinea was one of the hand full of countries I was - [The Marvels of Moçambique](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/the-marvels-of-mocambique/) - A City Lost In Time As I walked down the side streets of Cidade Baixa, it was hard not to get lost in the curves and sleek lines that was the crumbling hodgepodge of Art Deco buildings all around me. With their faded pastel colors fading in the sun before my very eyes, I wondered - [Chad is Rad](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/chad-is-rad/) - The reviews on visiting Chad were not good, with a couple bloggers reporting that Chad was actually the worst country they've ever visited. But I liked it. N'Djamena seemed to have all of the culture and the “realness” of deep Africa, but without all the congestion and chaos. Travelers Traveling on to Casablanca, Please Stay in - [A Man. A Plan. Sudan.](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/a-man-a-plan-sudan/) - Just Plane Scary The first real-life observation that I was somewhere that isn’t your standard vacation destination was the airline. I consider myself a pretty seasoned traveler, but even I hadn’t heard of Tarco Airlines. They were on the EU’s list of banned airlines, but I don’t think that bothered me as much as they - [Open Sesame: Getting Into Saudi Arabia at Last!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/open-sesame-getting-into-saudi-arabia-at-last/) - Locked Out There are only a few countries in the world that are considered tough to get into. Contrary to popular belief, North Korea isn’t one of them; they welcome tourists with open arms, literally rolling out the red carpet, as they put on a show for anyone in the outside world that dares to - [How I Travel to Risky Countries: 9 Must-Dos Before Going In](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/travel-tips/how-i-travel-to-risky-countries-5-must-dos-before-going-in/) - My parents, family and friends flipped the f__ out when I told them I was going to Iraq. First they didn't believe me, then they panicked, then they pleaded with me not to go. But the truth is, Iraq, like so many other places in the world--including the USA--is not just what you see on - [Trinidad & Tobago](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/trinidad-tabago/) - First Impression: Get Me Outta Here! I've never been rattled my first hour in any country as much I was in Trinidad. After the first hour exploring the capital of Port of Spain, I was ready to go home. Screw this place. Luckily, things got a lot better, but my first impression of Trinidad was anything - [Martinique](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/martinique/) - One of These Things is not Like the Others Martinique was a quick but worthwhile stop on the way home from tagging my last country in the Americas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At the time (November 2018), there was no direct flight to and from St. Vincent (except from New York which was out - [Guadeloupe](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/guadeloupe/) - The Long Road In I was just about to lose my patience, as I watched in horror as the meter in my taxi from the airport to the hotel surpassed the $100 mark. I’d been in this damn car for an hour and couldn’t take another roundabout. Just when I thought “we must be here - [My Mission](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/about/my-mission/) - My Mission It is my life's mission to visit every country in the world. All 196 of them. I can't remember exactly when this goal materialized, but it was a spin-off from my "I want to see every country in North and South America before I turn 40" challenge. There's just one little problem. I - [So You Wanna Go to Nauru?](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/so-you-wanna-go-to-nauru/) - Visiting Nauru It definitely takes a different kind of person to want spend a ton of money to travel 5,000+ miles to an unknown land with little tourist-infrastructure. But if you're anything like me, the mystique and romance of such an unknown, off-the-grid, and beautiful island like Nauru will gnaw at your emotions until you - [Best Place to Relax](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-place-to-relax/) - Most of my vacations consist of parachuting into unstable nations and spending my 24-48 hours there just trying to make it out alive; or logging in 25,000+ steps exploring a giant metropolis. I rarely have time to actually relax--I'm on the move always! And even when I do manage to make it to a tropical - [And Now...The LAST of The Americas: St. Vincent and The Grenadines!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/and-now-the-last-of-the-americas-st-vincent-and-the-grenadines/) - "I'd tried and failed before, but this time, nothing would stop me. St. Vincent and her Grenadines was the last country of the Americas left to visit, and I was determined to make it there if I had to swim." Last One in is a Rotten Egg Part of trying to visit all 193 countries - [Did I Just Become BFFs with this IRS Scammer? (CAUTION: LANGUAGE)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/scammer/) - It started with expletives but soon took a weird turn. Suddenly we were talking travel, family and women. We were communicating as friends, and soon I was able to get this guy to open up and reveal just why he scams people and how he justifies it. So many questions answered about such a secretive - [Eswatini and Chill](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/eswatini/) - If there was one underlying and unofficial "theme" of this July trip of twelve African nations, it would simply be the reminder and reenforcement that country-to-country, this continent is just so different. Different languages, customs, appearances, economics, and even different stress-levels. Just days ago, I was in Nigeria, and although I loved visiting Lagos, the - [Getting Lost in Lesotho](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/getting-lost-in-lesotho/) - Straight Outta Compton “I want to visit Compton,” exclaimed Motz, as we barreled down the highway listening to Bruno Mars. Never in my travels had I met anyone who told me they wanted to see Compton, but it made sense: Motz was infatuated with American hip-hop and R&B, especially the gangsta rap by artists from - [About This Website](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/about/about-this-website/) - First off, thank you for checking out my travel blog. I hope you will bookmark my website and come back often. ***THIS IS A BRAND NEW WEBSITE (11/15) AND IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN, AS I AM CURRENTLY ADDING TEN YEARS OF TRAVEL CONTENT*** Here's what this site is not: This website - [Best Airport Gift Shop](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-airport-shop/) - Honestly, before stumbling upon the greatest shop that I've ever seen in an airport last week, I would've never even thought this would be a category. I mean, airport shops? I've never been even slightly intrigued by them. Sure, I've seen some cool gift shops, and the electronics stores in Panama's Tocumen airport are pretty - [Best Airport Coffee Shop](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-airport-coffee-shop/) - The coffee was good, the breakfast sandwich was nice, but it was the energy of Zaza Cuban Coffee at Orlando International Airport that earned it the Ramblin' Randy Award for Best Airport Coffee Shop. I'd forgotten how much flavor and zest that East Coast Latinos possessed: a noticeably different style than that of the laid-back West - [Mali](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/mali/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Mali was the forth country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through three, please go HERE. It’s best to read - [Senegal](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/senegal-dakar/) - It takes a lot to get me frazzled and afraid—I’ve traveled to some pretty sketchy places, but night number one in Dakar I was downright petrified. I’d just stayed two nights in Cabo Verde—my introduction to Africa—but that might as well have been the Bahamas. It was “Africa Light;” a relaxing, Português-speaking island with beaches - [South Africa](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/south-africa/) - Womp-womp-womp. That's the "sad trombone" sound effect. I've failed you on South Africa. I got nothin.' I had one night in Johannesburg. The locals call it Joburg. I checked into my hotel, had dinner with some radio peeps and went to bed. The next morning I had breakfast in the hotel and then headed over - [Radio, Animals, Naps...in Namibia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/namibia/) - The one thing I quickly learned about Africa, on my first trip, was just how astonishingly different the various countries in this continent can be from each other. So very vastly distinct, and nothing would remind me of this more than traveling from Nigeria to Namibia: nations living on the same continent, but that might - [Buy Venezuelan Dollars (Bolivares) BEFORE Your Trip to Caracas!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/buy-venezuelan-dollars-bolivares-before-your-trip-to-caracas/) - For sale: Venezuelan Bolivares! So you're going to Venezuela? That in itself is scary...and I'm sure you've done the research and know how unstable this country is. I had an amazing time in Venezuela, however, I was anxious and on-edge the entire time, for obvious reasons. One of the hardest and most dangerous parts of - [An Afternoon in Amman: How Six Hours Shaped my View of Jordan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/an-afternoon-in-amman-how-six-hours-shaped-my-view-of-jordan/) - First Impression: The Women of Jordan, Stunning. The Uber Drivers, D!cks. A Jordanian co-worker back home warned me that the beauty of the women here would captivate me. She wasn't lying. Before we even took off from Al Najaf, Iraq, the flight attendant-stunners aboard my Royal Jordanian flight confirmed the caution I'd received. Same with - [I Was Rejected for a Visa to Visit Iran: I Found a Way In Anyway.](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/i-was-rejected-for-a-visa-to-visit-iran-i-went-anyway-and-heres-how/) - Reject Well damn. I've never been able to take rejection well, so when I received news that Iran had turned down my visa application, I was crushed. "Dear Randall, Unfortunately your visa was rejected." That was the email from the tour company in Tehran that had submitted my documents to the government on my behalf. - [San Diego Radio DJ Chooses Iraq for Vacation](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/iraq/) - R Dub! is the afternoon host on San Diego's Magic 92.5 radio station. And he's on a mission to see every country on the planet... The Beginnings of a Passion (or Addiction?) I really wish I could remember the exact moment that I decided my goal in life would be to visit all 193 countries. - [Best Pizza](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-pizza/) - "Randy, are you puttin' me on??? You're telling me that the world's best pizza is in Arizona???" Why, yes. Yes I am. I've eaten pizza in Chicago, New York, even Italy...and yes--for my tastebuds--the best pizza lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Pizza opinions are certainly subjective, but what I love the best about Spinato's pie, is - [Tonga](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/tonga/) - I remember, as a seven-year-old boy, being thoroughly disappointed visiting my first “island.” Not that my loving parents didn’t have the best of intentions—but as a child, when you’re told you’re going to an “island,” you envision the actual "island" geography and landscape you’ve seen growing up: those crazy-desolate tropical and tiny islands from shows - [Azerbaijan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/azerbaijan/) - So Much to See, So Little Time Azerbaijan was part of a whirlwind seven-country jaunt that would start in Turkey, run through the Caucuses and end up in The Middle East. As usual, I had a lot to see, and only a little time to see it, and working with flights on these trips are - [How to Apply For (and Get) a Mozambique Tourist Visa](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/travel-tips/how-to-apply-and-get-a-mozambique-tourist-visa/) - If you've done any traveling throughout Africa, you know that obtaining visas for many of the continent's countries can be a hassle. And while eVisas are finally starting to be slowly rolled out (like for Uganda, Kenya, etc.), the old method of actually having to send your passport and documents into an embassy for processing - [BEST ICED TEA (BOTTLED)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-iced-tea-bottled/) - I was not expecting this. It was a 100+ degree day in Jakarta, Indonesia, and I was on the verge of heat stroke. I gave a street vendor my money and reached into her ice box and pulled out an iced-tea. I needed liquid. Little did I know, this was no normal iced tea. I - [The Islamic Republic of Mauritania](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/the-islamic-republic-of-mauritania/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Mauritania was the ninth country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through eight, please go HERE. It’s best to read the - [Uganda](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/uganda/) - Uganda changed my life. Please watch the video. - [Brunei Darussalam](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/brunei-darussalam/) - Magic Carpet Ride Brunei felt like a non-stop ride at Disneyland. Not like the Space Mountain or the Matterhorn kind, but one of those rides in Fantasyland. Maybe part It’s a Small World, part Indiana Jones? A ride full of genies, temples, treasures, and mystery—one of those laid back rides with a relaxing pace, yet - [#Epic48Hours](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/epic48hours/) - Imagine being a winner in a contest where the rules were: 1) You'd have to be willing to go anywhere, 2) Do anything, 3) And be ready to leave at a moment's notice...as in bags packed and you're out in 60 seconds after a radio station host knocks on your door. That's exactly how the rules are - [Tuvalu Social Club: The Runway at Funafuti International Airport](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/runway-at-funafuti-international-airport-tuvalu-ramblin-randy/) - Perhaps what I will remember Tuvalu most for is the special meeting place that the country has designated for their nightly get-togethers. Every day, about two hours before sunset, hundreds of Tuvaluans, young and old, meet on the runway. Yes, the runway…at the airport. The international airport. Try and wrap your head around that - [10 Reasons, Proof Positive, I am Your Unicorn](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/10-reasons-proof-positive-i-am-your-unicorn/) - Hey Monica! Hey New York Times staff! Shout out to Dan Saltzstein...the whole crew. You're here reading this, and for that I thank you. A share with Monica would be so appreciated. And now, your proof positive that Randy Williams is indeed your unicorn... Foodie I was a foodie before the word existed. Back - [101 Reasons (and Fun Facts) Monica Drake Should Hire Me...](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/101-reasons-monica-drake-should-hire-me/) - Hi Monica and staff at The New York Times! I believe in going above and beyond in all I do in life and I am bound and determined to get your attention in any way possible, aside from emailing or calling you, per your instructions. (I love following directions!) I hope you'll take a moment - [14 Things You Can Do Instead of DMing Monica](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/14-things-you-can-do-instead-of-dming-monica/) - One of the many qualities that make a good journalist and employee, is someone who grasps the concept and understands the importance of following simple instructions. But while Monica Drake has reminded applicants that emailing and direct messaging her will not help the cause, it's apparent many still are doing just that. That's why I'm - [For Monica: A special message from Al B. Sure!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/to-monica-a-special-message-from-al-b-sure/) - Hey Monica! Even three-time Grammy-nominated record producer, radio host, recording artist and actor Al B. Sure! wants to chime in re: your 52 Places to Go hire: Why not catch up and check out all the other good stuff posted to HireMeMonica.com? Related: HireMeMonica.com MAIN PAGE I'm Too Sexy for My Map (video) 10 Photos from - [I've Had Some Superb Bosses...Will You Be Next, Monica?](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/ive-had-some-great-bosses-will-you-be-next-monica/) - References? Check. I've been so fortunate to come up under some of the best in the business. Here are just a few words from some of my past employers. Want something done? Tell Randy it can't be done. Randy's dedication to the absolute perfection of whatever he engages in, is inspiring. It's rare to - [6 Ways Monica Drake Eerily Reminds Me of My 7th Grade Crush](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/6-ways-monica-drake-eerily-reminds-me-of-my-7th-grade-crush/) - Hey Monica, I don't mean for this to get creepy...but...you've been on my mind pretty heavy lately. Here are six ways you kind of remind me of my middle school crush... 1. I send Monica notes The rules are no emails or calls, so I send little (actual) "notes" in the mail just to - [Monica Drake - The TV Commercials](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/monica-drake-the-tv-commercials/) - No emails or calls? No problem! Our team here (me), had fun putting together some custom Monica Drake ads over the past two weeks. We were working on a feature film with Harvey, but, well... Enjoy these: And of course, that smooth message from Al B. Sure! Did you enjoy these? - [But What's Your Agenda?](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/whats-your-agenda/) - As a program director for two major market radio stations, it's my job to seek out and hire new talent. While I am interviewing candidates, one of the most important things I try to figure out--and it's not always easy--is what exactly is the candidate's agenda? Are they trying to secure a spot on my - [10 Photos from Tuvalu (Wait, Where?)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/10-photos-from-tuvalu/) - Hey Monica! Hey New York Times peeps! With only 1,200 visitors per year, the tiny island nation of Tuvalu is the third least-visited country on the planet. This sliver of an atoll (a group of them, actually) spans just ten square miles and is home to just a little over 10,000 residents; but not one - [I'm Too Sexy for My Map](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/im-too-sexy-for-my-map/) - Hey Monica, peep my map! Related: HireMeMonica.com MAIN PAGE 10 Photos From Tuvalu (Wait, Where?) Monica Drake – The TV Commercials But What’s Your Agenda? 6 Ways Monica Drake Eerily Reminds Me of My 7th Grade Crush I’ve Had Some Superb Bosses…Will YOU Be One of Them? For Monica: A Special Message from Al - [Monica Drake to the Principal's Office: Randy's Professors Have a Message for You](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/hey-monica/randys-professors-have-a-message-for-monica-drake/) - It's easy for me to write about...well, me. But let's hear what some of my past professors have to say. I would be remiss If I didn't note that I have been blessed to have been taught by some of the nation's best; many who have left an everlasting impression and taught me lessons--both academic and practical-- that - [Best Place to Take a #1](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-place-to-take-a-1/) - Just imagine having to "relieve" yourself--a normally mundane and necessary everyday task--when you suddenly realize you will be tinkling over an entire city of millions. This is exactly what happened to me one June evening in Seoul, South Korea. I had toured N. Seoul Tower, including a ride to the top to enjoy some pretty - [Best Beach (Crowded)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-beach-crowded-2/) - Recife, Brasil - Boa Viagem Beach This is more than your average "day at the beach." This is an experience. More than just sun and sand, an afternoon at Praia de Boa Viagem is filled with a million different sights, sounds and smells. Perhaps it's the roaming vendors that inject the most flavor into - [Best Elevator Music](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-elevator-music/) - Best Elevator Music - Le Méridien So how is this even a category? Well I made it one, that's how...based solely on the amazing feels that flowed through my soul while riding the elevator up to the 22nd floor of the Le Méridien Saigon. You know that feeling when you hear just the right song, - [Timor Leste](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/timor-leste/) - Nerding Out! Okay, I was extremely geeked out to be visiting Timor Leste for the following reasons. 1. Timor Leste (or East Timor) is one of the world’s least visited countries, and you know my love for bizarre and less-traveled places. Shout out to one of my travel idols, Gunnar Garfors, who published this awesome - [You Ate What?](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/you-ate-what/) - I've eaten some pretty weird stuff over all my years of traveling, with the attitude, when in Rome! Hey, you only live once, right? Here are six of the most bizarre things I've ever put in my belly! What I ate: Dog soup! Location: Kaesong, North Korea. What it Tasted Like: Very, soft and - [Listen to my Episode of "Counting Countries!"](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/listen-to-my-episode-of-counting-countries/) - Overnight, Counting Countries has become my favorite podcast. Where else can you hear unfiltered stories of fellow travel enthusiasts and their adventures on the way to seeing every country in the world? I am both excited and honored to be this week's guest...and maybe a little nervous--I am among some much, much more interesting and - [Vietnam](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/vietnam/) - As I looked out the window of my taxi, I was astonished not only by just how many motorcycles were on the road, but how close they were all driving together—like a giant school of fish. The bikes couldn’t have been more than two inches apart, and they were zooming! Braking, accelerating, turning and weaving. - [South Sudan](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/south-sudan/) - Getting In As I passed through security at Addis Ababa International it suddenly dawned on me how weird some of my trips were…how weird I was, actually. I mean, normal people save their money and take trips to places they look forward to visiting: destinations meant for fun, places that when they get there, they - [Poland](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/poland/) - Never in my life have I booked a trip and traveled this quickly. The boss gave us all an extra day off to "relax," since everyone at the company had been working serious overtime; like burnout-level hours. We were all wiped out. So at our department head meeting, Gregg went around the table and demanded - [Cambodia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/cambodia/) - If I’m lucky, on my trips that include visits to multiple new countries—almost all my trips—one of the countries I’m least excited to see will pleasantly surprise me and exceed all my expectations of it. Such was the case with Cambodia. I didn’t study or research Cambodia at all. I was too excited for Thailand, - [Best Breakfast](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-breakfast/) - I will never forget the morning I had the best breakfast of my life. I knew on the very first bite. It was like French toast mixed with crack and I was the fiend. Between bites I was probably annoying everyone at my table with my explanations of surprise and awe with how amazing this - [Best Fudge](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america-2/best-fudge/) - Hayward, WI - Tremblay's Sweet Shop I had a hard time coming up with a word that describes the fudge from Tremblay's, but figured the best choice would be: glorious. Yes, freaking glorious. I had no idea what I was in for. I like these surprises. A note about Tremblay's: Apparently this little old school candy shop - [Best Fruit Salad](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-fruit-salad/) - Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil – Gordo Da Salada on Boa Viagem Beach Is Gorda Da Salada's fruit salad really the best fruit salad in the world? Sure, maybe the atmosphere and Gordo's mesmerizing chants give the tropical snack a few extra points--but isn't the experience part of it all? > RETURN to main “Best Of” - [Best Salad](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-salad/) - Phoenix, AZ - Butter Poached Lobster Salad at The Henry I love being surprised while traveling, especially when you stumble on an incredible meal you weren't expecting. Phoenix, AZ: I was in town to see my good buddy and radio legend, Supersnake. He suggested we meet for dinner at a restaurant called The Henry. Seemed - [Best Rooftop Bar](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-rooftop-bar/) - Singapore - Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Rooftop bars seem to have become "the thing" over the past few years, and for good reason. There's nothing like having a cold one with friends in the fresh air. Add a great view and a little music, and you've got the recipe for the perfect hang. All you - [The Time(s) I Almost Got My Ass Kicked While Traveling](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/the-times-i-almost-got-my-ass-kicked-traveling/) - People often ask me the standard questions about world travel, like "What's your favorite place you've ever visited?" I've answered that one a million times. But I really love when someone asks me a really good question...a different question...and I get to tell a story that I haven't shared much. This week I got one - [Ask Randy: Ten Questions and Answers - Volume 1](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america-2/ask-randy-ten-questions-and-answers-volume-1/) - I love posting pictures and updates of my travel adventures on facebook, and I enjoy the feedback and questions folks write as comments. Here are ten of my favorite questions from readers, and their answers: 1) Are you a member of the Mile-High Club? Submitted by Kelly Danek Noooooooo! Do you know how dirty those - [Ramblin' Randy Makes the News for North Korea Trip](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/ramblin-randy-makes-the-new-for-north-korea-trip/) - This was totally awesome! Jeff Zevely from San Diego's CBS 8 did a story on my trip to North Korea for his Zevely Zone feature. Jeff was one of the coolest dudes I've ever met, and we had fun looking at the map and talking about each other's travel and favorite destinations. My mom even - [ASK RANDY: TEN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – VOLUME 2](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/ask-randy-ten-questions-and-answers-volume-2/) - Welcome to the second installment of "Ten Questions with Ramblin' Randy," where you can ask me absolutely anything about traveling (or anything else), and get honest answers. Have a question? Just ask, in the comment box below. Okay, let's get started! 1) In what country have you seen the most beautiful woman? Kim Salazar Aills - [List of Worldwide Power Voltages and Frequencies](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/list-of-worldwide-power-voltages-and-frequencies/) - Listing per country Of the over 200 nations listed below, most use 220-240V. Others use between 100-120V. Some countries, including the United States, use dual voltages (for example, washers and ovens use the higher voltages). Source: Ron Kurtus. Country Voltage Frequency Afghanistan 220V 50Hz Albania 230V 50Hz Algeria 230V 50Hz American Samoa 120V 60Hz Andorra 230V - [Five Travel Essentials You Probably Never Thought Of](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/5-travel-essentials-you-probably-never-thought-of/) - This list is not the obvious stuff: socks, underwear, toothbrush, etc. Nope, these are a few items you may have not thought of--small in size--that can really help you while travelling, even save you from disaster. My mom gave me some great advice a long time ago: "Don't forget your passport. You can pretty much - [Will You Need a Visa?](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/will-you-need-a-visa/) - Open Sesame Many people who aren't that seasoned in world travel (that was once me) are completely oblivious that they may need a special "visa" to enter another country. But it's true: many countries require a visa in order to visit. Types of Visas Difficulty obtaining visas vary greatly... -Visa on arrival: Many countries issue - [10 Photos From The Murder Capital of the World](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/blog/10-photos-from-the-murder-capital-of-the-world/) - Caracas, Venezuela is a city in ruin: a collapsed economy, kidnapping and violence spiraling out of control, food and medicine shortages...the city has imploded and tourism is virtually non-existent. But none of that could keep me from spending some time here. And while most places were too dangerous for me to even take out my - [Best Bar With a View](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-bar-with-a-view/) - Bratislava, Slovakia – UFO Bar See that cool looking "UFO" tower in the background? On the bridge? I had no idea what it was about, why it was there, and if there was any way to go inside, and hopefully to the top. So I said "What the hell," and headed that way. Next thing - [Best Airline](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/best-airline/) - Icelandair I love Icelandair for many reasons. Flying with them included a series of surprises and extras. First, their "stopover" option. The good folks at Icelandair actually invite you to make a stopover in Iceland, for up toseven days, at no extra charge, and that is absolutely fantastic! The longest stopover I ever had was - [Singapore](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/extreme-layovers/singapore/) - Singapore was an overnight layover. I was en route from Hong Kong to Australia and I was happy that my ticket included an overnight stopover. I love these multi-day layovers; they're like free, bonus trips. I landed at 1:05PM and would leave the next day at 9:45AM. Just enough time to check in to my - [Rwanda](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/rwanda/) - The good news: Rwanda was clean, beautiful, organized and safe! What an awesome country that has a lot to be proud of. The bad news...I didn't get to see much of Rwanda. At all. I flew into Kigali and immediately headed south for Burundi for the night. By the time I arrived back in Rwanda - [Ireland](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/ireland/) - Ireland - 2015 Thanksgiving week included five new countries: Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Ramblin' Tip: I was virtually out of vacation days, but was able to make some magic happen and take nine days off from work while using no vacation days! This can be accomplished on Thanksgiving week and only if your - [Australia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/australia/) - The bad news: I only had about a day in Australia. Only one day! How sad! To come so far, for such a short amount of time...a travesty. I had waited too long to purchase plane tickets and ended up having to get to Australia the long way. The really looooong way. Instead of a - [Best Crêpe](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america-2/best-crepe/) - I would have never expected to have the best crêpe of my life in Algeria, but some of the sweetest surprises happen while traveling. My guide Omar had taken me for a walking tour all around Algiers and we both worked up quite an appetite. When he suggested stopping for a crêpe, I said, "Hell - [Togo](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/togo/) - IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is part of a 12-chapter series on my trip to Africa: Togo was the fifth country of twelve African nations I visited in December of 2016. It’s best to read the chapters in order, as they build on one another. To see countries number one through four, please go HERE. It’s best to - [United States of America](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/north-america/united-states-of-america/) - Full report coming soon! - [Saint Martin](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/saint-martin/) - Full report coming soon! - [South Korea](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/south-korea/) - South Korea was the last stop on an exhausting ten day, five-country Asia tour that included the "other" Korea (North). By the time I arrived in Seoul that Monday afternoon, I was absolutely exhausted. I had just a little over a day and half to explore the city and I wasn't sure where to start. - [Purchase Rare Korean Currency](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/south-america-2/purchase-rare-korean-currency/) - One of the strict rules as a foreigner traveling into North Korea is that you are not allowed to obtain the local currency, or "won." It's simply not allowed. There are no "money exchange" offices where you trade in your US Dollars or Euros for North Korean Won. That's why I'm kind of giddy about - [St. Lucia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/st-lucia/) - St. Lucia was my last stop on a whirlwind nine-country Caribbean tour that was done in just nine days, including travel! I was pretty wiped out by the time I arrived that Saturday night at 5:45PM. I had just one night in St. Lucia, so I had to make the most of it. It was - [St. Kitts & Nevis](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/st-kitts-nevis/) - St. Kitts and Nevis was another cruise stop, so not a ton to report...only a few hours there. I remember it was hot as hell! I did a super fun excursion that day, called "Snuba." This is a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving. You put a diver's helmet over your head and instead of - [Puerto Rico](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/puerto-rico/) - I really wish I would've had more time in Puerto Rico. What kind of blogger am I, that I only have a couple shots of such an amazing place? I should be ashamed of myself. Unfortunately, Puerto Rico was just a five-hour stop on a Carnival Caribbean cruise. I disembarked shortly before sundown, so I - [The Bahamas](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/the-bahamas/) - The Bahamas One of my travel goals was to knock off all of the Americas before my 40th birthday. This may seem manageable until you take into account how many Caribbean countries exist. There are scores of tiny island countries, but thanks to a nine-island jaunt in September I was almost done. I had just - [Jamaica](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/jamaica/) - I ended up in Kingston for a night after I decided to abort a three-day weekend vacation in Nassau. I couldn’t sit still, and knowing that Jamaica and St. Vincent were the only two countries left in the Americas that I needed to see before I turn 40 (and my 40th birthday is only nine - [Turks and Caicos](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/caribbean/extreme-layover-turks-and-caicos/) - I had a three-night vacation planned at Atlantis-Bahamas; I was looking forward to relaxing and actually “staying put” in one country for more than two days. But I just couldn’t do it; by the second day in Nassau I was furiously trying to work out flights to and from Jamaica during my tight vacation window. - [French Polynesia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/oceania/french-polynesia/) - Full report coming soon! - [Sweden](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/sweden/) - Sweden was my last stop on a week-long (Thanksgiving week) European jaunt. I arrived into Stockholm close to midnight and jumped on the Arlanda Express train to Stockholm Central station. From there I grabbed a cab to my hotel. I began to become concerned when the taxista started heading out of town, but alas, we - [Norway](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/norway/) - This was not the itinerary most people choose when they go to Norway...in true Ramblin' Randy-fashion, my stop in Oslo was for less than a day. I'm pretty sure most tourists come here to venture out of town to see the Fjords, take a boat ride, ski, or travel farther north to see the Northern - [Slovakia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/europe/slovakia/) - Full report coming soon! ## Pages - [The Legend of Jan Podmolik](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-legend-of-jan-podmolik/) - The American branch of Jan Podmolík's family in data. Compiled by Stanislav Sobek. On January 23, 1849, Jan was born, the youngest son of Ignác Podmolík and Maria Podmolíková, née Koutná in Čechovice No. 3, now No. 10. The parish office is in Čechovice in Velký Týnec near Olomouc. He grew up with five sisters - [Press Kit](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/press/) - [My Mission](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/my-mission/) - My Mission I'm Randy Williams, or "Ramblin'" Randy. It is my life's mission to visit every country in the world. All 193 of them. I can't remember exactly when this goal materialized, but it was a spin-off from my "I want to see every country in North and South America before I turn 40" challenge. - [Test](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/test/) - [50 Travel Tips](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/50-travel-tips/) - Here are 50 Travel Tips...some are no-brainers, while some you might never have thought of. I hope at least a couple can help you someday. Happy travels! Passports, Visas and Documents -Enroll in Global Entry (if you're American). It allows you to skip the customs and immigration line when returning to the U.S. from out - [Sponsor Opportunities and Disclosures](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/sponsor/) - Purity For the reader: When you read my blogs and stories and watch my videos, you can be rest assured that they are created out of a genuine love for travel and not because someone paid me or gave me free services to advertise their brand. As of this publication, I've seen 165 out 193 - [About this Website](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/about-this-website/) - First off, thank you for checking out my travel blog. I hope you will bookmark my website and come back often. ***THIS IS A BRAND NEW WEBSITE (11/2015) AND IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN, AS I AM CURRENTLY ADDING TEN YEARS OF TRAVEL CONTENT*** Here's what this site is not: This website - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 17](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-17/) - Now let’s have some fun! I spent all this time working on getting my visa to live in Brasil, and I was so worried I wouldn’t find a place. Not only did I find a place–I found THE place! I was ecstatic to say the least. Holy crap, I was going to live on Brasil! After - [The Brasil Story: Page 13](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-13/) - Puttin’ in work… Usually, I would’ve hit the beach the first day I arrived, but this time, I hit the phones, and immediately set up appointments to look at apartments. It was weird not immediately gettin’ my “relaxation” on, as I normally would in Brasil, but I was on a mission! If I was to - [The Brasil Story: Page 14](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-14/) - back / next page - [The Brasil Story: Page 10](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-10/) - Go Time! I flew into L.A. on a Sunday night and was at the front door of the Consulado Geral do Brasil on the 7th floor of the Larry Flynt Building in Beverly Hills by 8:45AM. Doors opened at 9AM, and in I went, palms sweaty and a million dreams in my head. I was - [The Brasil Story: Page 6](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-6/) - A ilha (the island)… On the third day, I boarded a plane from São Paulo to Recife, changed planes there, and flew to an absolute heavenly paradise called Fernando De Noronha. Few people outside of Brasil have ever heard of this place, and we should keep it that way, but I will share it with - [The Brasil Story: Page 3](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-3/) - Amigos I met so many life-long friends on my first trip to Brasil. So many in fact, I could write an entire book about my friends in Rio alone. A couple of the most memorable included a grade school teacher named Daniela Camara, who along with her husband, gave me a tour of the entire - [The Brasil Story: Page 2](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-2/) - First look I remember dreaming about Brasil before I even got there. I was to arrive on December 13th 2002 and I could hardly sit still. I had never even been to this place, but felt a definite connection to the country already. When the day finally came I could barely contain myself. Here I - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 24](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-24/) - Now boarding all rows all passengers As luck would have it, I just so happened to have had a flight out to Brasil that same very night. For vacation–or so I thought. Nope, this time it would be to live. It’s 10:35PM on a Thursday night as I finally close this long story. As I - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 23](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-23/) - No fire drill Funny thing was, I had rehearsed this scene a million times in my head and memorized my lines. Only a fool would think that a job like this in L.A. would last forever. I knew this position was never guaranteed. I graciously and sincerely thanked my General Manager for two wonderful years - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 22](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-22/) - Leaving Los Angeles... back / next page - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 20](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-20/) - And then... it happened... back / next page - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 21](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-21/) - “Hey R Dub, come on in.” -Greg Ashlock / Vice President Clear Channel Los Angeles It happened exactly ten nights ago: Monday, January 19th 2009, 5:19PM…my General Manager’s office at the radio station in L.A. Rumor had it that the following day there were to be thousands of layoffs at the company (Clear Channel). I - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 18](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-18/) - not meant to be…yet Much time has passed since the previous page was written (I last stopped writing the story weeks before my final departure to Brasil). As I write this page, it is Thursday, May 31st 2007 at 8:50PM. I am listening to beautiful Brasilian Bossa-Nova music in my apartment…in Los Angeles. I’m not - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 19](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-19/) - back / next page - [THE BRASIL STORY: PAGE 16](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-16/) - Minha casa é sua casa At around 4PM that same day, my cell-phone rang, and my heart stopped as I saw Telma’s number on the caller I.D. It was some of the best news of my life, as she told me that everything was good, and I the place was mine. I’ll always remember the - [The Brasil Story: Page 15](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-15/) - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!! Jeeze, I hit the jackpot. I tried to maintain my composure as I walked in this amazing apartment, with its huge windows in every direction, overlooking the beach, ocean, and city skyline. I didn’t want to seem too over excited, but I almost pissed myself. Apparently, this was an apartment represented by another real - [Africa](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/africa/) - [Booking.com verification page](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/b77e0861908dfea73f6562e06630a2e070c629ca-html/) - B-verify="b77e0861908dfea73f6562e06630a2e070c629ca" - [The Brasil Story: Page 12](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-12/) - A viagem (the trip) I had received the news from the consulate just a couple days before my next scheduled trip. This was prefect, because I wanted to find and rent an apartment on this trip; that way when I came back I would already have the keys to my place and things would be - [The Brasil Story: Page 11](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-11/) - Sitting, wishing, wanting, waiting… I had done all I could do. It was in God’s hands now. But jeeze, did I want God to hook up the Ramblin' Randy with a blessing right about now. I applied for my visa November 15th. The consulate told me this was only their second application for this special - [The Brasil Story: Page 8](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-8/) - Holy sh*t…I can live in Brasil, I really can!!! I stumbled upon a Brasilian website that showed apartments for rent. Things started looking up. Remember, the exchange rate from U.S. dollars to Brasilian dollars is still over 2 to 1! Add to that, the lower wages in Brasil make the cost of living much lower - [The Brasil Story: Page 9](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-9/) - Important Lunch… It was always great to visit with Mrs. Houston (she ordered me to start calling her “Pat,” but that was hard for me!) She always had great stories and I felt she was one of the few people I knew who could truly appreciate mine–especially the stories having to do with anything “Latin.” - [The Brasil Story: Page 7](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-7/) - The next step Like the hot ex-girlfriend that dumped you, I tried my best to put Brasil out of my mind. In fact, I even told myself that I would never go back. What for? It was fun to visit, but always broke my heart when I had to leave after a week. Why set - [The Brasil Story: Page 5](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-5/) - A segunda vez… That first trip to Brasil was beyond all all my greatest expectations. I’m surprised it took me two years to return, but with work and school, I managed to keep myself busy, even though all along, Brasil was in my head. I constantly bumped the Bossa Nova CD’s I had bought at - [The Brasil Story: Page 4](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/the-brasil-story-page-4/) - Not Margaritaville One of my favorite songs, since I was a young boy, was Jimmy Buffet's "First Look." An album cut from the "Floridays" project, I always knew there was something extra special about that song, but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Decades later, I realized not only was the entire song about - [Contact](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/contact/) - [Best Of!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-of/) - ***This Page Currently Under Construction*** The "Best-Of" what, exactly? Well, we all have moments in our life when we experience "Best-Ofs"...that time you had the best taco, visited the best beach, or drank the best beer. Here are my personal Best-Ofs. I have traveled the world and have seen, smelled, tasted and touched a lot. - [Best Beach (crowded)](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-beach-crowded/) - Recife, Brasil - Boa Viagem Beach This is more than your average "day at the beach." This is an experience. More than just sun and sand, an afternoon at Praia de Boa Viagem is filled with a million different sights, sounds and smells. Perhaps it's the roaming vendors that inject the most flavor to this - [Best Bar with a View](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-bar-with-a-view/) - Bratislava, Slovakia – UFO Bar See that cool looking "UFO" tower in the background? On the bridge? I had no idea what it was about, why it was there, and if there was any way to go inside, and hopefully to the top. So I said "What the hell," and headed that way. Next thing - [Best Outdoor Concert Venue](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-outdoor-concert-venue/) - San Diego, CA - Embarcadero Marina Park South One of the best concert experiences of my life happened in the summer of 2014 on the beautiful San Diego Bay. Each year the San Diego Symphony puts on their Summer Pops: a series of wonderful outdoor concerts featuring the orchestra; sometimes backing an amazing artist! I - [Best Airline](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/best-airline/) - Icelandair I love Icelandair for many reasons. Flying with them included a series of surprises and extras. First, their "stopover" option. The good folks at Icelandair actually invite you to make a stopover in Iceland, for up toseven days, at no extra charge, and that is absolutely fantastic! The longest stopover I ever had was - [Misc.](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/misc/) - My misc. blog will go here: rants, raves, random stories, etc. Check back soon, it'll be awesome, I promise. For now, enjoy this sweet pic of me eating white chocolate at the top of the Paris Hotel in the Czech Republic. - [Ramblin' Links](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/ramblin-links/) - This page is currently under construction and will be completed soon... I'll have dozens of links to valuable travel websites--sites I know you'll enjoy. For now, just two special features: 1) First, the link to gentlemen who inspired me, Jonny Blair. Man, you think I get around? You gotta check out Jonny's website, his stories - [About Randy](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/about-randy/) - Meet Ramblin' Randy: author, filmmaker, entrepreneur, radio personality, food critic, world traveler. Also a guy who hates to write in third person, so let's switch this up. I can't believe I didn't start traveling until I was 26 years old...if only I would've known! I missed so many years. But it's never too late to - [Middle East](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/middle-east/) - I have yet to travel to the Middle East. Crazy things happenin' there at the moment. However, when things simmer down, I'll be on my way. -Ramblin' Randy - [Asia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/asia/) - Can you believe, I haven't been to Asia yet?! I've been saving my Sky Miles! I'll be landing in Asia in May of 2016 and I promise my Asia blogs will be some of the best ones yet...stay tuned. My name is Ramblin' Randy and I approve this message. - [Antarctica](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/antarctica/) - Antarctica? ANTARCTICA??? Ant-Muhfuggin'-Arctica???!!! Yes! Well, not yet. Stay tuned...a trip to Antarctica is in my future, I assure you. - [Sample Page](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/sample-page/) - This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger ## Custom Maps - [Rio de Janeiro, Brasil](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tp_maps/rio-de-janeiro-brasil/) ## Categories - [S America](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/south-america-2/) - [North America](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/north-america/) - [Caribbean](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/caribbean/) - [Europe](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/europe/) - [South America](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/south-america/) - [About](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/about/) - [Oceania](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/oceania/) - ["Best Of"](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/best-of/) - The “Best-Of” what, exactly? Well, we all have moments in our life when we experience “Best-Ofs”…that time you had the best taco, visited the best beach, or drank the best beer. Here are my personal Best-Ofs. I have traveled the world and have seen, smelled, tasted and touched a lot. The items on the list below are nothing short of phenomenal! I hope you will have a chance to experience at least a couple of these. If you do, shoot me a note, and let me know what you think! - [Extreme Layovers](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/extreme-layovers/) - Setting foot in all 193 countries is no easy feat, especially for a guy like me that has a job! How do I see so many countries each year with only three weeks of vacation? Some visits are simply layovers. Longer layovers though. It doesn’t count if you don’t leave the airport…but if you have a layover at least four hours long, and the airport is close to the city–why not jump in a cab and go to town (literally!) It doesn’t happen, but sometimes you can find flights with long international layovers…it’s awesome when you have a stop in a new country for eight hours or more. Then you can really enjoy some sights without rushing too much. The best part is, it’s pretty much free…you don’t pay for an extra flight (the layover is part of your original ticket), and you don’t need a hotel room. So look for these long layovers, and make sure to factor in travel time to and from the airport; and that you should be back at the airport with at least two hours to spare. It’s not worth missing your flight. Remember, it doesn’t “count” if you never leave the airport! - [Asia](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/asia/) - [Africa](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/africa/) - [Blog](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/blog/) - An assortment of travel tips, tricks and tales. For country reports, see menu for individual continent dropdowns. Thanks for coming by. - [Travel Tips](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/travel-tips/) - [Middle East](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/middle-east/) - [Hey Monica!](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/hey-monica/) - Hi Monica! How can I get your attention without dismissing your directions not to email you or your staff? I looked into skywriting (but if you’re indoors you’d miss it), hiring a barbershop quartet to surprise you at your desk (but maybe they would suck), and buying a billboard on 8th and 41st (sadly, the boards there already taken until April 2018)…so I decided on this blog. Updates every 48 hours. Please bookmark and share with your co-workers. If you’re into the barbershop quartet idea, just say the word. - [United States](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/category/united-states/) ## Tags - [Brunei](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tag/brunei/) - [Venezuela](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tag/venezuela/) - [Nauru](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tag/nauru/) - [São Tomé](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tag/sao-tome/) - [Africa](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tag/africa/) - [beach](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tag/beach/) - [beaches](https://www.ramblinrandy.com/tag/beaches/)