100 countries before I'm 50 - target missed

When I was in my mid 20's I set myself a target of 100 countries by the time I'm 50 years old. Spoiler alert. I turned 50 yesterday and I'm stuck on 84 countries. 

I had it all planned out, been on 99 countries and celebrating in Philadelphia on the the 250th anniversary of American Independence Day , which would coincide with my 50th birthday my 100th country.

That dream was ended 10years ago when I got sent to the states on a business trip.

For a quarter of a century I've been obsessed by trying to get a new country in at every opportunity. It's been my hobby, it's been a game I've been playing, a game I've thoroughly enjoyed, but an expensive game.

It was a challenge that I really had to admit defeat to in recent years. 9 years ago I met my wife, We've been married almost 7 years, 5 of which we've had our daughter Sienna. None of these are excuses or 'blame' for me falling short of my target. We have had an unbelievable amount of travel as a couple then a three. But I've been doing repeats of countries, taking my wife and daughter to experience some of my favourite places is a new hobby. I enjoy playing the tour guide rather than the traveller.

The COVID years (which at the start were before Sienna was born) should have been boom new country years, recently married, I was working 'part time' we had lots of opportunities, taken away by red tape and rules. We lost our honeymoon in Mauritius plus a couple more booked trips (Venice - with a side trip to San Marino, Frankfurt combined with Liechtenstein). Those cancellations cost me 3 countries.

Another reason/excuse for the missed target is cost and difficulty. The low hanging fruit from Europe has been gobbled up leaving the relatively inaccessible Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino and Monaco in Europe. None of these are easy/cheap to get to. 

Asia is also well covered, I loved travelling around Asia, my wife is from Vietnam and we return on a regular basis, usually during stays with the in-laws, I escape for a few days/weeks exploring. Again the low hanging fruit has been taken, leaving 'difficult' places such as East Timor, Brunei, Mongolia, Bhutan, and North Korea. Others such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq. Iran etc probably won't get ticked off.

I guess the biggest reason for the slow down and missed target is I've pretty much been everywhere I want to go, there isn't many places left that I really want to visit.

So my failed target do I reset the deadline, or do I stop, put my fridge magnet collection in the loft and holiday without the thought of 'is it a new country' or ' can we tie this trip in with this new country'.

84 countries by 50 is something I'm proud about, boy done good. I'll keep ticking on, see if I can get to three figures but that isn't my priority.

I have a new goal.....

Take Sienna (my daughter) to 50 countries before she is 18 (almost three new countries per year). I'm pleased to report she is well on track. She is almost half way there on 22 countries and she has only just turned 5, country 23 Norway is pending in 2 weeks, but sadly that will still leave me on 84.

picture was created by Chat GPT based on a list from my head.

Nicosia - a city separated by a land border

I love getting 'off the beaten track' on a holiday, but rarely can you describe the countries capital city as that, but I'm sure most holiday makers in Cyprus don't have Nicosia on their itinerary.

The city is easily accessible from all places on the island, we took the bus from Larnaca (despite having a hire car).

A couple of bits and bats to tick of in Lefkosia the Greek Southern side of the city, Eleftheria Square, Shacolas Tower and Ledra Street. 

The main attraction (for me) was the border crossing into Northern Cyprus.

The crossing itself was fairly straightforward, show your passport to leave, walk 20m over the Green Line to another passport control where you gained entry to Lefkoşa in Northern Cyprus (Turkish).

As soon as you crossed the border it was different, Turkish Delight, Baklava, Galatasaray shirts and prices in Turkish Lira. A couple of attractions in the North, Büyük Han and Selimiye Mosque.

It was nice to walk around, enjoy a Turkish Kebab and a pint of Efes.

Then it was back to the border to get signed out and in again and return to Larnaca by bus. A great day trip. 

Fun in Cyprus

We arrived in Cyprus (country number 84) on a Cypriat bank holiday weekend, so we embraced their culture and had some fun. 

We caught the packed bus from Paphos to Limassol for the Grand Parade at the carnival. On the bus there were students dressed as cows, hamsters, police women, clowns...you get the picture. 

The youngsters were in high spirits but we're well behaved. The carnival itself was carnage, great fun. 125 floats each with around 100 people on and around throwing ticker tape, napkins and sweets. The crowd were lined armed with spray 'silly string' that shot out fluorescent slime and fake snow. Makeshift stands selling food and drinks lined the way. 

Whilst it wasn't a day to wear your favourite polo shirt (hopefully the stains come out) it really was fun, Sienna (our 4 year old) loved it. 

I'd not go to an event like that in the UK, there'd be pissed/drugged up yobs, pickpockets, and an overall threat that someone unhinged would drive straight through the lot. 

We didn't see a policeman all day, neither did we even the slightest bit of trouble. What a great day.

Once the carnival parade had passed it left behind a serious mess, but an army of volunteers were cleaning up straight away. With the thousands of aerosol cans and forests of paper, maybe not the most environmentally friendly day however.

Bank holiday Green Monday we headed out to Lighthouse Beach, Paphos as we heard locals go there to fly kites and have a picnic. We packed in our suitcase both the Frozen and Minnie Mouse kites which both Thuy and Sienna enjoyed flying with the other hundreds of kites. 

A slower day than the carnival, but another nice day joining in the harmless fun.