AOA 128 | Gunnar Garfors | A Story From Every Country

Written by Derek Loudermilk

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Podcast | Storytelling | Travel

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May 23, 2016

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Today’s guest, Gunnar Garfors is the youngest ever hobby traveler to visit every country in the world – 198 in total – all while maintaining a full time job as a journalist in Norway where he is President of an international radio and TV organization.

One thing I noticed about Gunnar when I met him at the Travel Storytelling Festival was that he had a ton of energy! At the end of each day when I was dog tired and ready to to head home, he was still up for going out on the town. This has apparently served him well on his quest to

Gunnar learned the power of travel stories from a young age when his father would send cassette tapes back to Norway when he was away.

Gunnar has multiple travel and transport related world records: Most Continents in 24 hours (5), Most Countries in 24 hours (19), Most US states in 24 hours (22), and all the counties of Norway in 24 hours.

Gunnar is well know for traveling in his signature sport jacket that he says allows him to get better service and invited to weddings around the world.

In this episode Gunnar teaches us all about how to use our natural curiosity to really get to know a place and it’s people, as well as what to bring while you travel.

If you love travel, stories, and want to learn how to go more places and travel on the cheap, this is the episode for you!

Gunnar Garfors Art of Adventure

What you will learn in this episode:

-The story of Gunnar at the border of Turkmenestan

-The secret attire that will get you invited to weddings all over the world

-About the disappearing nation of Kiribati

-How Gunnar set his multiple world records

-How to use curiosity to your advantage

-Tips on minimalist travel (what Gunnar brings every time)

-How to travel on the cheap

-How to travel full time

Quotes:

“Food is very important, it says a lot about a culture” – Gunnar Garfors

“What matters is to be open and smile more” – Gunnar Garfors

“A lot of good happens out there as long as you are willing to let people help you” – Gunnar Garfors

“I help the world by telling stories” – Gunnar Garfors

“I didn’t expect that I would meet so many amazing friends” – Gunnar Garfors

“Adventure is when you travel with a mind open enough to learn more about yourself and where you are going” – Gunnar Garfors

“People, regardless of where they are from, consider themselves to be the center of the universe” – Gunnar Garfors

Continue the Adventure (Resources from this episode):

Globetrotting Galore by Gunnar Garfors

Thanks Gunnar Garfors!

If you enjoyed this session of The Art of Adventure Podcast, let Gunnar know by clicking on the link below and sending him a quick shout out on Twitter:

Click here to thank Gunnar on Twitter!

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