Team-BHP - How many countries have you visited so far?

This maybe funny for a few, anger inducing for the rest and most may reply negatively to my writing but hey, I think it makes for great content specially if it's coming from my heart.

To me, only one nation matters on earth, Indi.. Lol ok I went too far with that joke, and that's the United States of America, the land of the free and home of the brave, the bald eagle and the greatest country on earth by infinitesimal trillions of spots.

As a child, nothing else mattered to me, not the cold and dark antiquated nations of Europe, nor the overtly flashy yet incredibly conservative Middle East or Singapore, I wanted my first trip outside India to directly be heaven, and I did it, landing on the greatest city on earth NY, I literally was tearing up outside of JFK airport and on my way back was emitting tears equivalent to Niagra falls.

If only Uncle Sam and/or Uncle Don knew my real patriotism, that I bleed red white and blue when cut, maybe they'll help me be where I belong. I know I'll look foolish writing this but every show, every movie and every song I've ever listened to, came from Hollywood and all of my earnings are from America too, it was an obsession which when finally came true, gave me chills and goosebumps which I remember till today, outside of Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza I almost lost it, would've explored the west coast this year if it weren't for this pandemic.

Everyone in my circle deem my love as foolish, they say its better to backpack in Europe, be a tropical hopper in Thailand or watch the sun rise in Switzerland but to me, my thirst is quenched, maybe Canada at best, although a poor imitation of the real deal.

May the bricks fall rl:

One of the perks of my job has been the opportunity to travel to exotic places on work - Sun City in Africa viewing a topless dance sequence in the evening (yes, on work!), Las Vegas (repeat - on work!), BEAUTIFUL Bruges, Luxembourg, historic Malta and more.

Apart from these are the usual haunts - UK, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and other parts of EU. Then there's the US, almost entire Middle East, South Africa, Singapore etc.

So yes, work affords me a lot of travel opportunities and as the company picks up the tab the travel in business class makes it that much more enjoyable. :)

But now there's Covid and travel is farthest from one's mind..

Travelling overseas is several times simpler and easier today for Indians than it used to be. Earlier not only were we less welcome and viewed with suspicion and troubled a lot more at immigration than today but earlier we were also made to dance, somersault and do the hop-a-la by our own Govt. before we could step out.

My first trip in 1982 needed about 1 month of scurrying around to obtain the ticket, foreign exchange, visa, and believe it or not - a letter from the Govt permitting me to travel, this despite having a passport & visa stamped!!!!!This was needed for all first time travellers - to get this I had to file xerox copies of all my educational certificates up to post-grad. Such were the magic things our bureaucracy used to dream up of to keep them (un)productively engaged. And on return every $ of Forex had to be accounted for and a note filed with RBI. Including any left over $ were to be returned!!!! The glorious days of empty coffers. Many of these rules fell off soon thereafter after the IMF gave us a nice juicy bank loan sometime in the early 1980s.

My first trip outside India was to Singapore and Australia on work in 1999. Was a great thrill - and I was amazed to see how beautiful Singapore was.

Over the years, I had turned into a frequent flyer - last year, I went to the USA 4 times, UK twice, and also to Germany, Spain and Singapore’s most of my work trips are very short - have probably done 7-8 day trips to the USA (land in the morning, shower, head for meetings and fly back at night) and innumerable day trips to the UK. Have also tended to have at least 1 holiday abroad each year (last year was 2 - Germany for the Berlin Marathon and Spain for the summer).

But my country count is not so high since work trips tend to be mainly to the USA, UK, Singapore and HK. But let me attempt my country count:

1) Asia - Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia

2) Middle East - Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Turkey

3) Africa - South Africa

4) Europe - Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, UK, Italy, Vatican, Belgium, Russia, Norway, Austria, Finland

5) Americas - USA, Canada, Brazil

So 31 in all. This does not count transit stops in Airports - would have to add Thailand, Taiwan l, Oman and Qatar if I count that.

My count is 4.

Adulthood - 3 countries
1. Work: China, Norway
2. Vacation: UAE

Childhood: 1 country
Nepal

There was a planned visit to USA but got cancelled due to Covid-19.

My work doesn't require travel and my International vacations will be very far and few given personal situation.

So, I don't expect to make meaningful progress in this metric in future also!
But looking at experiences shares by other members here, I do feel I am missing out.
Damn wrong thread to start my weekend with the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO)!

I have traveled to 13 countries until now. My work took me to all these countries including Nepal.

Traveling has broaden my perspective as other have said earlier. IMO generally People are good and helping and I have made friends for life during my trips. They have similar aspirations and insecurities. I hope to see Scandinavia, Western US, Eastern Europe and Far east some day soon.

Asia : Lived for about a year in Malaysia and China each, Singapore, Nepal. Major cities explored include Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xian.

Americas : The US, Canada. Major cities explored include Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and Windsor.

Africa : South Africa. Major cities explored include Port Elizabeth & Jo'berg.

Europe : Portugal (about 3 months), Germany (about 2 months), Italy, Poland, France, Spain. Major cities explored include Lisbon, Setubal, Paris, Dresden, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hannover, Munich, Ulm, Turin, Milan, Venice, Wroclaw, Glogow.

Transits : Thailand, UK, Netherlands.

Classical thread that creates peer pressure among colleagues.

While travelling is fine, I feel recently, travel has become more of a competition than a true hobby. Especially after movies like Zindagi na milegi dobara. After Dil chahta hai, I think there must have been threads like, how many times have you visited goa. lol:

I am surrounded by MBA grads who run in this competition, I ran in it for a couple of years too, but soon realized, I love trekking and long drives better than ticking off countries.

Asking how many countries have you traveled is like asking a auto-head, how many cars have you driven? True enthusiasts can be found with a Zen in mint condition and 200000 kms on the odo also.

People who love travelling, may not be even counting and they may enjoy a Arunachal or Kashmir trip as much as Switzerland.

For me

UK - my "home" country - love London and the countryside but dislike the boring suburbia
USA - I love NY, SFO is nice but too expensive. Oregon and Washington are quite nice but extended time Northern California is a bit bleak and boring. New Mexico is interesting, very friendly people.
Canada - Only to Victoria but fell in love with the place - nice place to retire!
France - a few times - Paris is classy, French villages are cute, just try and speak French and they start warming up
Germany - Liked Munich - other places are do not really stand out
Netherlands 3-4 times - beauty is that you can drive out to other places. Dutch are fun folks to hang out with.
Spain- - likeable
Portugal - loved it - good food and scenic
Italy as a kid - 2-3 times reminded me of india when I visited
Switzerland - scenic but Geneva boring
Austria -a few degrees warmer Switzerland - Vienna is organised well. Quite liked it
Hungary - interesting country loved Budapest, travelled to the interiors, went to visit a lady friend but most people regarded me as a gypsy
Turkey - loved it - so much to see
Czech Republic - visited soon after Iron curtain lifted and later on - bit of a tourist trap in places
Sweden - Nice place but people are very reserved
Norway - Very scenic
Denmark
Sri Lanka - slow clean version of south india - Colombo - great place for a slow relaxed pace
Thailand - Ultimate chill out place. Bangkok is fun, nice bars and restaurants, Krabi is nice to chill out, Pattaya - nice places around there, within Pattaya is another matter!
Taiwan - This country really surprised me - so organised, so scenic and quite a lot to do.
China - numerous times - Shanghai is very glitzy, Beijing - too crowded, Chengdu - bit too industrial. Xian - bit cold. Dalian - very interesting place - merging of Russian, Japanese and Chinese legacies.
Malaysia - KL - got a bit overcrowded and too much Malay identify thrust in your face but not a bad place to live. Penang is quite nice and very different
Singapore - 2-3 days and the sterility gets to you
Maldives - you never see the country, only a resort. - go with a few friends to enjoy it well
Morocco - a great country to drive around in
Hong Kong
Bali - Loved the Ubud area, great WFH atmosphere! The party areas are fun, the Baliese are wonderful folks
Austrailia - backpacked around - very scenic, loved Sydney, Canberra is sterile, Cairns etc are mainly tourist areas. Alice Springs - bleak - only went to climb Ayers Rock!
India has so much to offer if we make it easy for simple travel

Like others on this thread, my career has led me to places I'd never considered exploring. In terms of absolutely being smitten - culturally, gastronomically & geographically - Japan and Turkey are on top of my list. South America and the African continent are on my bucket list along with New Zealand, Iceland, Bhutan & Cuba.

I've traveled extensively across India when I was based there. And while there's no doubt that India is truly unique with an incredible breadth in geography, culture & history that's just breathtaking and home to some of the most hospitable people I've met, my travel experiences are often marred by unpleasant encounters on account of inconsiderate individuals (Airports, officials, and individuals in private life). I've felt the same way as a traveler to the middle east, occasionally.

I was aware of many friends and colleagues who've had unpleasant experiences during trips to Europe, for instance - so I guess it all comes down to personal experiences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat (Post 4915847)

For me
Germany - Liked Munich - other places are do not really stand out
l

Do let me know when you're headed this way and I'd love to take a shot at changing your perception about Germany :)

Being an Engineer in the Merchant Navy, have travelled to quite a few countries. But due to the hectic schedules of the Ships now-a-days, you don't really get to visit apart from the Port where the ship is berthed. On my first trip as a Trainee Engineer back in 2006, I did circumnavigate the globe in about 6 months. I had joined in Portland (West Coast of USA) and onwards to South America, Europe (through the Panama Canal), Africa, Singapore, China and then to Vancouver, Canada. And after that there have been a few more as a tourist as well.