Ramblin’ Randy, from San Diego, USA, finally stuck a pin in his final nation, Turkmenistan, in 2023 as he ticked off the final country in an extensive list of 193 nations
A globetrotter who has visited every country in the world revealed that choosing his favourite was a piece of cake, as it’s the only one that inspired him to quit his job and relocate there. Ramblin’ Randy, a man from San Diego, finally marked off Turkmenistan in 2023, completing his extensive list of 193 nations.
With such a vast array of countries to pick from, you’d imagine it would be a Herculean task to single out just one as your top choice. However, Randy previously confessed it was “so easy”.
In 2019, he told LOST iN about his worldwide adventures and his quest to “see them all”. At that point, having toured 120 countries, he unveiled a list of his top 10, which spanned from Switzerland to Djibouti, from Brunei to Armenia, while his number one choice was the fifth-largest country in the world.
Randy stated: “I always get asked what’s my favourite country, and the answer for me is so easy because well, it’s the only country that I packed up everything, quit my job, left everything behind and moved to.”
He continued: “I found this city on the coast called Recife. I didn’t even leave the airport, but passing over the shores of Recife, I saw these beautiful, coral, pastel-coloured high-rises right along the beach. It kinda reminded me of Miami Beach.
“So, on my next trip, I visited it. I found an apartment and then I went back home and asked my boss if I could talk to him and told him I was quitting and moving to Brazil, and it was one of the most exciting times of my life.”
Brazil stands as South America’s largest country, with its impressive 4,500-mile coastline bordering the Atlantic and every other country on the continent apart from Ecuador and Chile.
Boasting control over a lion’s share of the Amazon Rainforest (close to 60%), its northern region is also defined by the mammoth Amazon River, complete with unique pink river dolphins and piranhas among the myriad of species populating it.
In 2023, Ramblin’ Randy conveyed to ABC 10News San Diego his poignant moment upon achieving his travel goal: “It’s bittersweet. A pin for every country, and this is the last one – Turkmenistan. Here we go.”
However, visiting his final country may have been more complicated as it is highly restricted. In fact, Randy dubbed it “one of the most mysterious countries on the planet”.
He detailed the logistical process of entering this enigmatic country, “So, the only way you can visit Turkmenistan is through an approved tour company.”
While summarising his experiences, he said that his around-the-world travels have led him to not only accept and embrace other cultures but also learn to love them.
As per the UN, there are 195 recognised nations, with 193 being UN member states. The remaining two – Vatican City and Palestine – hold non-member observer status.