From the late 1960s through the early ’70s, the denizens of this tiny Pacific island were the wealthiest people on the planet per capita, due to the dense and valuable guano deposits left on the island by fish-eating seabirds over a period of eons. The last of these rich phosphate resources were depleted by 2006, and the suddenly impoverished Nauruans were compelled to make a living in other ways. First the country became a tax haven and alleged money-laundering hub for Russian criminals. Then it established internment camps for refugees as part of “the Pacific Solution” to prevent the refugees from reaching or remaining in Australia, and effectively closed its borders to all visa-seekers not approved by the Australian High Commissioner to prevent foreigners from monitoring the migrants’ conditions. Nauru relaxed these restrictions with the formal end of the Pacific Solution in 2008. And though the country remains a dumping ground for many refuge-seekers, it is now focused on legitimate enterprises, including tourism, making it far easier to get a visa—the island’s airline arranged mine, and I finally visited in 2011. But unless you are on a crazy quest to visit every country, you might want to skip this uninviting strip-mined mess of a speck of limestone.He's written a book about it, so this is one of these situations where reading is really preferable to real life.
Another one of his hard-to-get-to countries is Kiribati, one of my favorite countries to read about and never even consider going to. It's the subject of one of my favorite books, "The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific," by J. Maarten Troost.
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Hmmm...what if you want to commit suicide by going to Kiribati....suicide by cannibal!
The country list is changing all the time, so I don't see how you could visit them all.
Just speaking from looking at a modern radio callsign prefix list, comparing to what I remember from the 50s.
Saarland 9S4 is missing, and there are lots of 9's added where that used to be the only one.
See? google 9s4 saar
Amateurfunk im 9S4-Saarland - Saar-Nostalgie
Mar 28, 2014 - Landeskenner 9S4 für das Saarland (bis zum 31. März 1957 als DXCC-Land gültig) und vieles mehr, was über dieses Thema zu sagen ist.
Perhaps Althouse should read Captain Bligh's Portable Nightmare. That's a book about really being adrift in the Pacific among the cannibals.
We're still working on Mrs. Tank's goal of visiting every state. We're up to 31. Pretty sure I'll be dead before we get to 50, especially because when I say how about an Alaskan cruise, she says ... no, too cold.
Rules: If you are flying to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and you change planes in Denver, does that count as visiting Colorado? I say no. Mrs. Tank says yes.
Your weight is on the state you're flying over, too. There's no need to change planes or even land.
Tank,
I was along the south coast of Alaska in April and it was warmer than Wisconsin.
Because I had to get in to complete my quest, I worried that I might have to convert to Islam, memorize the Koran, study with a mullah, attend a mosque, and forget I was an ultra-liberal Jewish atheist.
It's unusual, but very refreshing when writers self-identify so us readers can get a sense of where the author is going with his piece.
Yes, travel is wonderful. Who denies this? Exotic lands, exotic people - all that good stuff. Going to all 194 countries, though, is a bit bizarre, a bit narcissistic. Has a bit of that Leftwing "Look at Me" quality to it. Probably, will help him on the Upper East cocktail circuit though.
I love the Wikipedia map of Nauru: phosphate facilities; phosphate stockpile; Buada Lagoon; Parliament House; and Nauru International airport. That's it!
>>Jewish atheist
One or the other, I would think....
Rules: If you are flying to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and you change planes in Denver, does that count as visiting Colorado? I say no. Mrs. Tank says yes.
We've visited 26, but here is our rule: You either have to stay overnight in the state, or drive through the entire expanse of the state (north to south; east to west, etc.).
Why would you want a shortcut for Colorado?! That's one of the best states to visit.
(1) Purportedly on a dare, some guy hitchhiked a refrigerator all over Ireland.
Sounds a hell of a lot more interesting to me than what this guy did, which is too much like writing a book about your experiences collecting every edition of TV Guide ever published. A sensible person needs to suspect some sort of low-grade mental illness is behind it all.
(2) This morning, the lecturer on astronomy mentioned in passing that there is a micro-galaxy currently merging with our own, or something along those lines.
Fucking amazing.
There are guys out there, so fucking smart, that they've figured out stuff like that. And there's a hell of a lot more they've figured out than just that.
I visited Gibraltar in the mid 1980s. That gave me the idea to travel to as many interesting little enclaves like that as possible. Just across the straits of Gibraltar from Gibraltar (which Spain wants back) are a couple of Spanish enclaves in Morocco called Ceuta and Melilla (which Morocco wants back).
More famous examples would be:
Vatican City
Guantanamo Bay (now, maybe not so famous in 1986)
(Formerly) the Canal Zone in Panama
(Formerly) West Berlin
Hong Kong
Macau
But there are less famous places like:
St. Pierre and Miquelon Islands (which belong to France but are located just off Newfoundland in Canada)
Point Roberts, Washington (a little tip of land only reachable by land through Canada because of the vagaries of the 49th parallel border)
Here's a list from Wikipedia.
Just so it's clear, it was an idea. Not something I have had the opportunity to do.
We've visited 26, but here is our rule: You either have to stay overnight in the state, or drive through the entire expanse of the state (north to south; east to west, etc.).
I agree that for the purpose of making a list like that, I wouldn't count touching down at an airport (much less flying over the state) as a visit. I transited through Dakar, Senegal when flying to Africa but never left the plane. I didn't visit Senegal in any meaningful sense. (But, keep in mind, legally, you totally are there. People have been arrested for having drugs when their planes have made unscheduled stops in countries that weren't on the itinerary. Countries that you really don't want to get arrested in for possessing drugs.)
On the other hand, if you drive into a state, and especially if you stop and do anything there - get gas, talk to the clerk, get something to eat, etc. - then that would definitely count for me. I think I'm up to 35 states.
There is a United Airlines flight that hits every major island between Honolulu and Guam -- Majuro, Kwajalein, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Chuuk. I would LOVE to spend a few days on each island, just for the hell of it. All it takes is time and money. Unfortunately.
A few years ago I went on a road trip to my high school reunion in Minnesota and made a huge loop through the Southeast, Upper Midwest and over as far as New York and Pennsylvania. I had my bike with me and tried to ride in as many states I passed through as possible. But my rule of thumb was I had to ride 10 miles for it to count. My road trip lasted 10½ days and I rode at least 10 miles in 10 different states and one Canadian province for a total of 330 bike miles. (I crossed over the Mississippi and did a couple of miles in Illinois but not 10 miles so it didn't count).
I also drove 3000 miles on the trip, visited my parents in Michigan, saw four of the five Great Lakes and visited Niagara Falls for the first time. I also took two ferries, including the SS Badger from Manitowoc, Wisconsin across Lake Michigan to Ludington, MI and a tiny five minute ferry over the river into Canada from eastern Michigan (on the way to Niagara). There's a bike trail by the falls in case anyone is interested.
We planned a dive trip to Kiribati years ago. They used to run a weekly flight from Honolulu. The "hotel" was a converted military site if I recall. The flights went away, so we cancelled. I think the dive shop closed. I know some people that went there by boat. I think it was a month long trip starting in Fiji.
I can see why no one goes to Nauru. If you want to go to small limestone island that is hard to get to, Niue is a better choice. At least you have a chance of seeing a whale.
I've hit around 38 states. Problem is I haven't added any new ones in over 20 years. I'm not that interested in seeing the other 12. We travel a lot, but go to places we want to visit, not places we have never visited before. It's gotten much harder. I guy I met on a dive boat told the story of his earlier years that involved riding a motorcycle across Iraq and other parts of the middle east with a girl in tow.
I've spent at least a night in 49 states, so I just have 8 to go.
Three things I've learned: 1) this is a beautiful country, 2) Americans are a friendly, helpful people, 3) there's a lot of bad coffee served.
Using golf bunker rules: The person is deemed to be in the state when any part of his person lies within the state. The margin of the state does not extend vertically upwards.
Using Invasion rules: Boots on the ground count. Violating airspace counts. Excessive travel or activity near a neighboring state may create a border incident. For example: Massachusetts residents utilizing exits at the border for purchases at New Hampshire Wine and Liquor outlets may count as a visit to NH, though they may be subject to harassment and fines from Masshole cops.
I agree that for the purpose of making a list like that, I wouldn't count touching down at an airport (much less flying over the state) as a visit...
On the other hand, if you drive into a state, and especially if you stop and do anything there - get gas, talk to the clerk, get something to eat, etc. - then that would definitely count.
That's my rule too, which gives me 46 states. I'm missing the Dakotas, Alaska and Michigan (transferred a few times at Detroit airport though)
I've been to around 75 countries and I wouldn't go out of my way to increase that number. I'd rather visit new, interesting regions of countries I've been to than new countries without any merit.
I actually own this guy's book. Kindle. About twenty books down in three hundred. I am not sure what possessed me, maybe the same boredom that compelled him. He is not a good writer.
If you want to read about some really creepy places read "The Wilder Shores of Marxism" by Theodore Dalrymple.
Stand up, People of Kiribati!
Sing with jubilation!
Prepare to accept responsibility
And to help each other!
Be steadfastly righteous!
Love all our people!
Be steadfastly righteous!
Love all our people!
The attainment of contentment
And peace by our people
Will be achieved when all our hearts beat as one,
Love one another!
Promote happiness and unity!
Love one another!
Promote happiness and unity!
We beseech You, O God, To protect and lead us In the days to come.
Help us with Your loving hand.
Bless our Government and all our people!
Bless our Government and all our people!
--National Anthem of Kiribati (English translation via Wikipedia)
By the one night standard, I've visited 35 states (12 for a month or more cumulative). There are six other states that I've spend some hours in but not overnight, and four more that I've only driven across. There are only 5 states that I've never set foot in.
As for other countries, I've been in 27 of them (plus Guam) and will visit a couple more this December. My wife and I like to travel.
There is a United Airlines flight that hits every major island between Honolulu and Guam -- Majuro, Kwajalein, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Chuuk. I would LOVE to spend a few days on each island, just for the hell of it. All it takes is time and money. Unfortunately.
You might want to miss Kwajalein.
Kiribati apparently used to be known as the Gilbert Islands -- "Kiribati" is supposed to sound like "Gilbert" in the local language. They got their independence right after the phosphate deposits ran out. Go figure.
That's one creepy national anthem, Scott.
It must have been irritating to visit the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, only to see them break into 15 and 6 countries. What a setback to the schedule! As well, I can't help but think of the artificiality of it all: A week in India is hardly scratching the surface but a week in Monaco and you might have every street memorized.
I hit fifty this year with a trip to Hawaii. Not as impressive as my dog, though - she's at 43 states in less than seven years. She can thank me taking time off of work and bringing her along on an extended road trip for that number.
@CWJ: Yeah. Compare it to this:
Let morning shine on the rivers and mountains of this land,
Three thousand ri abundant with natural wealth.
This is my beautiful fatherland
With a history of five millennia,
The glory of a wise people
Brought up in a brilliant culture.
Devoting our bodies and minds to this Korea,
Let the Way be obeyed.
Embracing the atmosphere of Baekdu Mountain,
Nest for the spirit of labour,
The firm will, bonded with truth,
Will go forth to all the world.
The country established by the will of the people,
Breasting the raging waves with soaring strength.
Glorifying forever this Korea, limitlessly rich and strong,
Let the Way be shone.
--National Anthem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (English translation via Wikipedia)
Alternate Storylines:
"A man who traveled to every country on Earth tells us which countries were the hardest to get out of."
"A man who traveled to every country on Earth tells us which countries he wanted to vacate as soon as he arrived."
"A man who traveled to every country on Earth tells us how Rhythm & Balls lectured him on how to travel to every country on Earth."
The "passport" system in US National Parks, wherein a stamped "visa" is proof you visited certain locations within parks, or entered certain parks, was a favorite of my kids, until they realized the stamps weren't anything official and that having a stamp in the book did not allow them to obtain any benefit other than bragging rights.
After they figured that out, they stamped each other, instead of the park passport books. Bragging rights, and more exhibitionist than a booklet.
I look upon that anecdote as containing a lesson for us all, about life, and about siblings.
tiny five minute ferry over the river into Canada from eastern Michigan (on the way to Niagara)
kcom,
Algonac to Walpole Island? Or Marine City to Sombra?
I wonder how many guys know the total number of women they've banged.
I wonder what drove him. I have visited maybe 10 countries. Some many times and for extended periods. I would be fine if I never travelled abroad again except for Canada, on account of it being so close and there is a great breakfast restaurant right across the border.
R&B doesn't "lecture" he "hectors."
I must have been through about a million girls.
But then I fooled around and fell in love.
Absolute dreck from Elvin Bishop.
It's on the muzak at Home Depot, to this very day.
except for Canada, on account of it being so close and there is a great breakfast restaurant right across the border.
Being from the Detroit area, I have that luxury too. I also get to watch Hockey Night in Canada on cable TV. Don't want to miss Grapes...
I have a paperback reference book called something like "[The Something Dog's Guide to Jazz]." It was a gift. Arranged alphabetically, for any given musician it sets out a mini-biography and then it rates his or her LPs in terms of dog bones, instead of stars.
To some LPs, they'll give, maybe, a half-bone along with the remark "Of interest only to the "completist," especially when the musician is famous.
The completist.
I find that hilarious, although I thoroughly suspect that it wasn't intended to be funny
I remember reading about Nauru. The tragedy is it was apparent that the phosphates were going to run out soon and there was some effort to invest the riches so as to provide the fairly high standard of living the locals had gotten accustomed, but the investments were not well thought out and the locals were rather insistent that they would be rich forever and nixed any attempts at tempering their life style. The reality check was painful.
My rule for visiting a state is to do something significant there to count. If I go to a museum or a sports event or visit someone, that counts. If I spend the day there doing something, even if it is work stuff, that counts. Connecting through an airport? Doesn't count. Driving through the state without stopping or just picking up gas/food? Doesn't count. I wouldn't count staying in the state overnight if it was just a sleep stop without doing anything else. Basically, if you would remember the moment for some other reason that "hey, I was in that state!" then it counts.
I'm up to 22 plus DC and PR, and passed through 4 more. Before I went to college the total was 3.
Oh, and I think this quest to visit every country is pretty cool, though perhaps the best use of one's time and money. Not something for me though.
Blogger rhhardin said...
There is a United Airlines flight that hits every major island between Honolulu and Guam -- Majuro, Kwajalein, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Chuuk. I would LOVE to spend a few days on each island, just for the hell of it. All it takes is time and money. Unfortunately.
You might want to miss Kwajalein.
There's some great scuba diving in Kwaj, but I'm not sure you can just show up there, at least on Kwaj Island. I think you need Army permission.
...speaking of money, did I miss it where he talked about an estimated/actual cost of this adventure(s)?...
"Algonac to Walpole Island? Or Marine City to Sombra?"
Marine City to Sombra. My parents live just outside Marine City.
I've also crossed on my bike there and at Algonac and ridden up to Sarnia and over to Chatham.
kcom,
Your folks live about 15 minutes from me. Small world!
And where are you? My grandmother's condo looked out on the river just a block down from the ferry terminal on the main street. You could watch the ferries going across.
From the article: "I had officially, and legally, visited every recognized country on earth." Then the first country he describes his difficulty entering he says: "I found a well-connected tour agency in Michigan that arranged for me to reach Saudi soil disguised as part of a team studying under the guidance of an archaeology professor..."
Er, what? Something tells me that probably wasn't legal. Doesn't really change the accomplishment in my mind, but if he's going to brag about what he did, he might want to keep that part quiet and omit the "legally" boast.
Reading the rest of the article, it's clear that rather than "legally" the author means "entering on a visa, however obtained."
Sayyid, his deception, that he was a legitimate member of a legally visiting archaeology team, was not honest. But his visit to the country was legally sanctioned by the country.
The "legally" boast is both actually and technically correct.
I remember being asked if I was visiting Korea for business or pleasure at the customs control station. I answered pleasure, because I was being paid to go there and I liked that. Plus, I was told to do so by my manager, to avoid some games with Customs over the replacement electronics I had in my bags for a coworker stationed there.
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