Zona Zika

Mr Secretary,

After a long silence, my CC tally moves up a couple of notches. Nipping at Mr Earle's heals…

Last month I spent considerable time, and did the needful, in Honduras and El Salvador (ZikaZika!). While in San Salvador I discovered a wonderful local craft brewery in the Zona Rosa (see the Cadejo logo attached). Highly recommended, and quite a treat after drinking other weak commercial brews being flogged in Central America. 

Vaya con Cadejo

Mr B

Mr Greeley: A nice guy in Dubai

Quite controversial.  Of course I've been to so called Palestine many many times but not since the UN provided this unwarranted status.

But suffice it to say I can now proudly add another country to my list - United Arab Emirates.  And here is my poem followed by photos to provide documentation

What's a nice Jewish guy

doing in Dubai

To get to ninety six

and get back into the mix

PS I searched far and wide for microbreweries or local wine estates in the UAE to no avail, so I settled for an imported Australian Shiraz 

PPS: Yr sec'y just remembered a January 2016 visit to Norway.  

Denominator Increases to 195 Countries

Dear Members,

The Club's denominator increased, it turns out, on 29 November 2012, when Palestine became a permanent non-member observer state.  Founding members will recall, in debates surrounding the Club's by-laws in the late Spring of 2002, that the Holy See, the sole permanent non-member observer state, was included in our Club denominator per by-law Article 2, settling our original denominator at 192 Countries.  In September and October of that year, Switzerland and Timor-Leste became permanent member states, bringing the total to 194, where it has stood until now.  The Country Club's denominator is now set at 195 countries.

Members who have visited Palestine as of 29 November 2012 should announce a visit to the Secretary in due course.  The List of Countries Visited has been revised to include this change.

An excerpt from Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly_observers

"There are two permanent non-member observer states at the United Nations: the Holy See and Palestine. The Holy See uncontroversially obtained its non-member observer state status in 1964 and Palestine was so designated in 2012, following an application for full membership in 2011 which failed to secure Security Council approval. Both are described as "Non-member States having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly and maintaining permanent observer missions at Headquarters". The Holy See's status as a non-member state permanent observer in the United Nations has been questioned, as not having the attributes of a state.

The change of Palestinian observer status in 2012 from "non-member observer entity" to "non-member observer state" was regarded as an "upgrade" of their status. Many called the change "symbolic" but which was regarded as providing new leverage to the Palestinians in their dealings with Israel. As a result, in the change in status, the United Nations Secretariat recognized Palestine's right to become a party to treaties for which the UN Secretary-General is the depositary.

The seating in the General Assembly Hall is arranged with non-member observer states being seated immediately after UN member states, and before other observers. On 10 September 2015, the General Assembly resolved to approve the raising at the UN of the flags of non-member observer states alongside those of the 193 UN member states."

Mr K's Cold Beer and Yr Sec'y's Second Thought

Mr. Secretary,

Since we are doing burst of updating, I also have one more country to add to my total. 

In May 2015 I passed through Andorra. We filled our tank with cheap tax free gasoline and I downed a beer despite the fact it was bloody cold even in May. Andorra does not have a domestic beer (or anything else that I could see) so I had a Heineken. Unfortunately, I do not have photos, but I can try and dig out my credit card receipt for the gas.

Yours sincerely, 

Robert (Bob)

PS.  Mr Karam now has 66 countries, and moves ahead of Ms de Walden into 13th place.

PPS.  Yr Sec'y has, on second thought, a new country, namely Indonesia, where he conferenced in a family planning way with none other than Messrs Brady and Karam last January.  My shoulders are now rubbing those of our dear Governor and Honorary Past President, Mr Hovig, at 103 countries. 

VTY, -s

Mr Earle eats serious prawns

Mr. Secretary,
After several years of repeat visits to far flung places like Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Ethiopia, South Africa and Kenya,
per attached evidence, I am pleased to report a first visit to Sri Lanka where Lion Lager, red wine, Talisker and some serious prawns - more like lobsters - were consumed ...
Alas, a 27th country to the subset of Golfing Country Visits was prevented by torrential rain, and so I remain on 26, still leading Mr. Chapman by 8 and where are the rest of you ....? Criteria are simple - did you play there or not (and have a beverage of appropriate type afterwards)! Spreadsheet attached for your consideration.
Cheers,
Mr. Earle ... they call me Speedoo but my real name is ...

Mr Negus carries no fish

Mr Secretary

I have just spent two lovely weeks in Dhaka, and it was a good thing that I brought in those bottles of wine in my checked bags- they were essential to survival.  Attached is a photo taken on the way out at security.  Fortunately I had no machine guns or fish in my carry-on bags...

Mr Clancy continues to gloat

Sec'y's note:  Mr G emailed the note below to the club some months ago.  He is also currently in Namibia, his 95th country.  Unfortunately, as also reported today, Mr Clancy has revised his total to 97 countries, and Mr G remains in 5th place.  

Mr Secretary

I am afraid that Mr. Clancy can gloat no longer. After a decade of virtual stagnation, I am pleased to report the addition of 3 new countries.  The first, in Mozambique, occurred in August of 2015. I had sent the information to the Club Secretary shortly thereafter, along with the requisite photo, but unfortunately, Mr. Chapman neglected to post the event due most certainly to his preoccupation these days with all things M&E. I am attaching a picture to prove that not only did I enjoy a beer at the famed Maputo Navy Club but also I did so in the company of one of the locals.  I also send a second photo taken from Mozambique with what appears to be a local beer but in fact is a clever wooden carven replica.

I have just returned from a trip to 2 new countries that I have not previously visited, and have attached pictures as proof.  As such, if I am correct, this should bring my country total to 94. I am holding on to fourth place for dear life (after Mr.Vanderzwaan, Hovig and Chapman in that order) with, unfortunately, few prospects to gain more countries soon unless either I retire or change jobs again with an organization that works in countries I have not yet visited (my main criteria for taking on a new job).

As for my recent trip, the first country I visited was Ukraine. The attached picture shows that I am deciding between drinking the local beer or a tasty fruit flavored vodka. I chose the latter in the end. In any case, I was toasting to the recent advances made by Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine.

The second trip was to Kazakhstan, which, as members of this club you would know, is the largest landlocked country in the world, is where apples first originated, and which recently bid unsuccessfully to host the Winter Olympics.  I must say I found it odd to be working in “development” and be in a country where I experienced 0 degrees Fahrenheit and being in a position to decide between going snowboarding or skiing. The first of the two pictures in fact shows me at the base of the ski resort outside Almaty, with a local beer in hand (which I subsequently consumed). The second photo is taken with one of the locals where she enjoyed locally brewed draft beer whereas I stuck to the classic Kazak vodka.

Yours truly

Country Club Founder and sometimes benevolent dictator

David Greeley

Ms Ridley is on the move!

Mr Secretary,

On behalf of Ms. Ridley I submit her evidence of countries 46 and 47 … Dubai, UAE and Namibia.

In the case of Namibia we have our 30^th  anniversary dinner photo, complete with rose petal covered table and the visit to the amazing wine cellar at Castle Heinitzburg.

Dubai is a little more complex as this visit dates to January 2015 – Ms. Ridley is a bit shy on this one as she did leave the airport and spend the night in Dubai. However, having recently broken her arm she was so high on the very strong painkillers that she was not allowed or well-advised to add alcohol to the oxycodone … she however did provide the evidence of her visit to the top of the tallest building in the world … 

Over to you Mr. Secretary for consideration of yourself and the esteemed membership

With kind regards,

Duncan

Stuck on 81 …

Sec'ys note -- Ms Ridley's visit is permitted -- the requirement of an alcoholic beverage is, as close readers of the By-Laws know, conditioned as 'where so permitted'.  Her ticket to the top of the building is on file in the Club archives.  

Mr K takes a tandem

Honorable Secretary,

I have visited Ethiopia in February and I am now in Sweden. Ethiopia was for work and Sweden for vacation on our bicycle tandem. (So much slower than a motorcycle.)

Here are the photographs.

At this rate I will be 125 years old before I catch up with the leaders.

Mr v/d Z violates habit and principle

Mr Secretary,

I miserably failed to cross the border from Rwanda to the DRC, but at least I tried, so this will, against my habit and principle, remain a 1-country trip only -- number 118!

-s

Bob

Mr C's Necessary Revisions Move Him to 3rd Place

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I write to inform you of necessary revisions to my countries visited total.   I happened upon the blog site today, and  I was shocked to see that my “Countries Visited” total remained stuck at 90.  

Some of the revisions are in no doubt due to your laxness in maintaining accurate club records.  Others are due to travel taken since my last report.  Regardless.

In addition to the 90 countries listed, please record the following additions:

1)      Greece.   I just returned from Skiathos.  Spent a week with Mr. Buckman in his villa.  I think you know the gentleman.

2)      Tanzania:   I have been there a dozen times.   Several PSI retreats in Zanzibar.   Mr. Manchester (RIP) and I designed the Tanzania condom social marketing program in the mid -1990s.   May God grant you “Salama” despite your inaccuracy in record keeping.

3)      Angola:  I visited the PSI operation in 2015.  Better late than never was my motto.

4)      Qatar:  I spent the night there-clearing customs-- twice on my way to Nepal and back.  2015.  Lodging courtesy of Qatar Airways.    

5)      Madagascar:   Finally a visit to the PSI operation in 2015.   My thanks to Pierre-Loup for his welcome.

6)      Mauritius:   Yet another country visited way back when (1988), and no doubt already reported.   I was living in Zambia at the time.

7)      Turkey:   A week spent in Istanbul, courtesy of PSI, in 2015.

So that puts me at 97.   Now that I am, shall we say, in between assignments, look for this number to soon break 100.

I appreciate your constant diligence in keeping my spreadsheet up to date.

With my most deep respect,

Mr Clancy

Two Alarm Chile and More

Mr W and Ms v/H have visited Chile, Ms v/H continued on to Uruguay, and Mr K inches forward

Mr W, visiting in September, writes:

I'm pleased to report a new country visit to Chile, where I did the needful with a lovely carmenere, among other things. Santiago's modern skyline with the dramatic backdrop of snow covered mountains is striking and well worth a visit.

Intrepidly,

Will

[Sec'ys note: This is Mr W's 78th Country Visit, and he is now tied with Mr Brady].

Ms v/H, returning to Washington, DC, right now, sent evidence of visits to Chile and Uruguay.  This is her 63rd and 64th country visits, putting her one ahead of Mr K, who reports:

I’m embarrassed to add one more country to my modest total. I have finally visited Portugal. I had two fine dinners with suitable wines in Evora. At this rate I will be 250 years old when i visit my 193rd or 198th country.

Mr K

A Kingdom's Inner and Secret Parts

Mr Secretary,

Regards from No.117 - SAUDI ARABIA !

Really an unusual place, but I am having a good time here.
It took me a week until consuming finally an alcoholic beverage
yesterday evening - not a requirement, I guess, for a country
in which alcohol is strictly prohibited, but desirable nevertheless:
delicious home-brewed beer! Brewing stuff is a typical pastime
here for expats, as it appears, but only within the very inner
and secret parts of the compounds where foreigners live...

All the best, a bientot,

Mr v/d Z

198 Countries

Dear Members,

Should we modify our denominator?  

Consider that of Gunnar Garfors, a self-styled Hobby Traveler, who claims he is the youngest in that category to have visited all the countries in the world:

http://www.garfors.com/2013/01/why-198-countries.html

Our fine club has, as its denominator, 194 countries.  The 193 UN Member Countries, plus the Vatican.  Mr Garfors counts 198 countries, as follows.

"There are 193 UN member countries  in the world. I count all of them. 

There are 2 UN observers. I count both the Vatican and Palestine. 

3 additional countries are recognized by a fair number of the 195 above. I therefore also count Kosovo, Western Sahara and Taiwan."

Worth considering.  Our by-laws can be amended through approval of two of our three Governors, 

Yr Sec'y -s

 

By the way, Mr Garfors counts a country visit as:

"I must have done something there and have a story to tell. It isn't necessary to stay overnight, but I have to leave the airport or train/bus station. To merely step across the border doesn't count."

A photo of him on Cape Verde, celebrating 198 countries at the age of 37.  

Euro Micro State Tour

Yr Sec'y visited three European micro states:  Andorra, San Marino, and Liechtenstein.  Local reds qualified in the first two, and a hummingbird Campari sip made do in the latter given the noonish and motorcyclish visit.  Andorra, a ski-resort and UN Member State, was country 100.  Vrrooomm, -s

The opposite of a cocktail

Ms CH reports: "I keep asking for a trip to Minsk or Almaty for my birthday to get a good new country but alas hasn't materialised as yet. I did go to new countries of Portugal (drinking sherry) and Finland (drinking 'moose piss' which like a bullshot consume and vodka) but have been delinquent to register."

Polka-Dot Jersey

Dear Mr. Secretary,

I read Heer.Prof.Dr. van der Zwaan's recent account open mouthed. I am in
awe. My flabber completely gasted. This surely is the moment of significance
in the Gross Corporal Happiness of our humble club of travellers' tales.
Raising the bar on raising a glass. 

Taking into account also other recent posts, and given that a century is now
approaching the fearfully common place, perhaps we are on the cusp of a new
- dare I say elite - sub-category of
'countries-in-which-one-has-enjoyed-cocktails-with-royalty-regents-and-or-re
negades'? The annual polka-dot 'king of the mountains' jersey perhaps, of
our Tour du Monde caravan.

Cheers and to your good health from Beirut, ma'bruk to Bob,

Grant


P.S. My own recent additions I then duly submit as only a footnote: Antigua,
Nevis and Kitts, Lebanon. 


The ballistics of his stratospheric achievements stretch the imagination. 

Res Ipsa Loquitur 2

Dear Country Clubbers

I dutifully wish to report my recent visits to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The photos of me holding a  Nkoyi beer while eating maboke de capitaine (ready-to-eat peppered fish baked in banana leaves) were taken sur le bord de la fleuve massif - Congo.  The other snap gives you an idea of the range of tasty, and strong, brews to choose from in this Ex-Belgian colony (an unfortunate brand name though). My Congolese adventure included a short excursion to the southern city of Lubumbashi. A very calm and prosperous place (thanks to heavy mineral extraction activities), in stark contrast to the Kinshasa madness. 

My country count now comes to 78. Watch out Mr. Duncan, nipping at your heals. 

Res Ipsa Loquitur

Mr vdZ sent in the below from Bhutan, his 116th country.  

Miller Time

Dear Members,

Mr v/d Z went over the border from Brazil to Paraguay at Iguazu and, while sipping an implausibly bottled "Genuine Draft" got his 115th country.  He is now 12 in front of Mr Hovig and he still looks fresh -- expect more!

Mr Clancy crept up to within one of our beloved founder and governor, Mr Greeley, with a visit to Ecuador -- his 90th country.

Ms vH and yr sec'y celebrated 25 happy years together in Mauritius, bringing our numbers of countries golfed (a sub table of our fine club) to 15 and 20 countries, respectively. 

VTY, yr sec'y  -s

    

Not a Google Photo

Mr Secretary

Many thanks for your multiple club updates.  They prodded me to report my recent visit to India. Despite my 3-year sojourn in Pakistan, this was my first visit to India where I did the needful w a Kingfisher.  Photo (not from Google) attached. 

Mr W

Low Hanging Fruit Cocktails

Dear Mr. Secretary,

Greetings from St Vincent and the Grenadines! The beer is cold, the water warm and the hospitality just right, chillin’

I have to confess to having been a bit lax in updates recently. For which my most humble apologies. Contrary to perhaps appearances I have not just been putting on a cheeky spurt, but I have bagged a small brace over the last 12 months:

-          Uganda

-          Tanzania

-          Kenya

-          Vietnam 

-          St Vincent

Which I believe brings me to 69? And one more trip to the Caribbean later this year with maybe a chance of a few more low hanging fruit cocktails. The shirt-jack is pressed, and being thoroughly modern no tie is required, so I am just off to the yacht club to see what the options are for perhaps another little spurt later in the year.

With my warm regards to you and your very charming better half as always.

Grant.

[Sec'y's note:  Mr Rhodes had previously reported Tanzania and his total stands at 66].

Lima Larco

Mr. Secretary,

I'm pleased to report a new country visit in Peru. Lima is a lovely
city that I highly recommend to all club members.  While there, don't
miss the Larco Museum (http://www.museolarco.org/), which has a
breathtakingly good collection of pre-Columbian artifacts as well as
lovely gardens and restaurant.
I did the needful in Peru in many ways, with pisco, pino gris, campari and etc.

Off to another new country next week, but will save that for a separate mail.

Mr W

Mr C gets very high

Thanks Mr. Secretary. 

Since then:  a trip to Honduras and a trip to Lethoso.

So the new total is 89.  

With deep regards,

Mr. C 

Mr. Secretary:

Further to my last communication, I am happy to report that my new total has risen to 87….with a ground breaking visit to a new region for me….a trip to the UAE.   Attached please find photgraphic evidence of this trip….a view from the Burg Kalifa, 148 stories up.

Lest you think that I used taxpayer dollars to finance such foolishness…..let me remind you that all costs associated with the visit to the building were paid by myself.  

Next week, I am off to Honduras, filling a long standing hole in my Central American visit record.   I shall report that when the time comes.

Your truly,

Mr C

Whiteman in Patna

(Sec'ys note -- Mr N's List already included South Sudan, so the China visit moves him to 75 Countries and tied with Mr W.  

Mr Secretary,

I have been to South Sudan and China since my last update.  No pictures to prove these visits, but I can assure you that I did drink in each of these locations (especially in Juba!).

Thanks for moving me up the list, and I think above Mr. Warshauer and just behind Mr. Brady.

Thanks!
Mr N

let me add a recent photo from Patna India, which is an oft-visited country on my list...

Mr H Finds His Mojo

Inspired by Mr C's spreadsheet audit, and motivated by our esteemed secretary nipping at my heels, I looked at my own spreadsheets.  I have not posted a blog or new country in years, and fear that I may be losing my traveling mojo.  Or I'm in groundhog's day, visiting the same places over and over again.  

To my delight, and chagrin, I found 2 missing visits -- Finland and Lesotho.  I visited Finland when I was still begging for money.  Vodkas were had.  I visited Lesotho for a day last year, when I was checking (edited -- something work-y). I fear I was only there for a day, arriving early AM, and leaving at cocktail hour.  Hopefully, the beer I quaffed while running to catch my plane in the Lesotho airport gets this trip across the country club qualifying threshold.  

After reaching the century mark a few years ago, my country numbers have largely stagnated.  I need to get creative, or risk a continued stall on the club ladder.....

Tres Cervezas Por Favor

Mr Secretary,

Hope you are well and you and Ms van H had a fun trip to PANAMA!

My trip to ECUADOR was great: customs were cleared of course, and alcoholic beverages consumed
in the form of cervezas pequenas y grandes, micheladas and mojitos. A beautiful place! And, although
no concrete country-plans for next year yet, I am determined to break even with Hillary's achievement as 
Secretary of State (116).

Cheers,

Mr v/d Z

Sec'y's note -- Ms van H and yours truly did indeed travel to Panama in December, sipping many things Chilean to make the visit qualifying.  

Mr E Goes to Sri Lobster!

Mr. Secretary,
After several years of repeat visits to far flung places like Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Ethiopia, South Africa and Kenya,
per attached evidence, I am pleased to report a first visit to Sri Lanka where Lion Lager, red wine, Talisker and some serious prawns - more like lobsters - were consumed ...
Alas, a 27th country to the subset of Golfing Country Visits was prevented by torrential rain, and so I remain on 26, still leading Mr. Chapman by 8 and where are the rest of you ....? Criteria are simple - did you play there or not (and have a beverage of appropriate type afterwards)! Spreadsheet attached for your consideration (ed note -- attached under the List of Countries Visited).

Cheers,

Mr. Earle ... they call me Speedoo but my real name is ...

Mr C: 5 Steps Forward and 2 Steps Back

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I have gone through the "countries visited" spreadsheet and humbly offer the following corrections and additions:

1.  In the Pacific Ocean spreadsheet, you will notice that the cell assigned to "percent" under my column is not working.  Kindly attend to this.

2. Unlike what I assume is the case with other members, scoundrels that they be, when I reviewed this spreadsheet I took the care to identify countries listed as "visited" yet I have no clear recollection of such.  Surely these mistakes are connected to the office of the Secretary.   Thus, kindly delete Peru and Turkmenistan from my list of countries.

3.  To the contrary, tho, I am proud to add the following countries:   Columbia, Paraguay, Portugal, South Sudan and most recently, Pakistan.  Although photographic evidence of such visits is lacking, I invite you to contact the PSI Country Representatives in said countries for proof.   Many, months and even years later, are still reeling from these visits and would be glad to recount as necessary the details of such.

In sum, then, Mr Secretary (assuming I can trust your spreadsheet veracity as to beginning balance):

Beginning Balance: 83

Additions:                  5

Sub total                   88

Deletions                  2

Total                         86

It is my sincere hope to keep Mr. Earle at bay.

With regards,

PC

Haiti execution

Mr WW wrote today with the following:

"I write to let you know of a new country visit (no independence referendum required).  I visited Haiti earlier this week and did the needful with a Prestige beer.    My strategy to join a company with operations in 9 countries not on my list is beginning to bear fruit.....

Below is photographic evidence from the lovely central plateau region. "

v/d Z consumes Tigre

Hey Sec'y,

Vietnam was great, both Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, and of course I consumed the local Tigre and Hanoi beer…

113!

Cheers,

v/d Z

Morning Buds & v/d Z apparently consumes fermented yak milk

Mr W reports:

Mr. Secretary: After an exceedingly long drought, I'm pleased to announce a new country visit to South Korea. I did the needful with a Budweiser at (AM. I am neither in the habit of drinking Budweiser, nor generally beer of any type at 9AM, but cicrumstances and the Club Rules dictated. Happily, I anticipate some new visits, as I have taken a new job. While I am unclear what exactly this company does, I do know that they have offices in 30 countries, including 7 countries I have not yet visited. Tally Ho!

Mr v/d Z reports
I had a great time in Ulan Bator, MONGOLIA, where of course I consumed the usual alcoholic beverages.