Imagine catching the wanderlust bug and then deciding to explore the globe to discover its friendliest corners. That’s exactly what Australian Rachel Davey and Slovakian Martina Sebova did, and their adventures have spanned across 100 countries each before they even met in 2008. Their passion for travel not only brought them together but also inspired them to start their own blog, Very Hungry Nomads.
After launching their blog, the dynamic duo set a monumental goal: visit all 188 countries recognized by the UN. They embarked on this ambitious journey from Melbourne in 2018. Together, they’ve traversed Western Europe, central Africa, and the Middle East, experiencing a world of cultures and meeting countless friendly faces along the way.
Despite their extensive travels, some destinations particularly stood out for their warm hospitality. “The people in Sudan and Iran were some of the friendliest people that we have encountered,” Martina explained to CNN. She emphasized that contrary to common perceptions, these countries were incredibly welcoming despite their often negative portrayals. Additionally, Eritrea, a small nation on the east coast of Africa, captured their hearts with its charm and friendly locals.
The journey hasn’t been without challenges, especially considering that over 64 countries still criminalize LGBTQ relationships, posing a potential risk to Rachel and Martina as a couple. “We were visiting a lot of countries where even the concept of a same-sex couple doesn’t exist,” Martina shared, highlighting the importance of their safety during their travels. However, she clarified, “We never tried to cover it,” as hiding their relationship was not an option for them. (Very Hungry Nomads/ Meta)
Further obstacles arose from gender-based travel restrictions, as some countries were hesitant to issue visas to two women traveling without male companions. Nevertheless, these hurdles didn’t dampen their travel spirit. “I think it would terrify me if I had to start visiting every country and I’d been to like 10… I don’t really think that that’s even viable,” Martina mused, advocating for seasoned travel experience before undertaking such an extensive journey.
The couple’s adventures have taken them to some of the most isolated and challenging destinations, including North Korea, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, and Pakistan. They’ve adapted to various modes of transport, once spending 38 hours on buses while touring through Africa, proving their dedication and love for exploration.
Rachel and Martina’s story is not just about travel; it’s a testament to the power of human connection and the unyielding spirit of adventure that drives us to explore the unknown, one country at a time.