Ive been to every country in the world: these are…
Barry Hoffner is a man who belongs to the world.
An investment banker-turned-philanthropist, Hoffner set out to explore the world — every country besides North Korea, which he plans to go to later this yr, that is — after his spouse died in 2017.
Determined to be deepened, fairly than outlined by his loss, Hoffner set out to go to all 193 nations in the pursuit of reflection and human connection.
“I’d been well-traveled before, but during COVID, I decided I was going to travel to every country. Once I made that decision and started doing it, things changed a lot for me,” Hoffner told The Post.
He shared that in the wake of his grief, the intention for his travels has advanced.
“It shifted from adventure to learning over the course of this journey, really seeking out people’s stories, because those stories make you feel closer to this magnificence of the Earth,” he said.
Barry Hoffner is the definition of a world traveler. Barry Hoffner
Hoffner has documented his worldly wandering in the e book “Belonging to the World: A Journey from Grief to Connection in Every Country on Earth,” where he shares a few highlights from his treks, including some stunning standouts.
Best street journey: Pakistan
Of the numerous roads he’s traveled, Hoffner counts Pakistan’s Karakoram Highway as the most beautiful stretch for a street journey.
Comprising half of the outdated Silk Road commerce route, the 800-mile drive gives views of hovering mountain peaks such as K2 (the second-highest mountain in the world), large glaciers such as the Baltoro, and sprawling rivers such as the Indus.
Head to Pakistan for one of the most scenic drives one can ever expertise. Morten – stock.adobe.com
At 15,397 ft, the Karakoram ranks as the highest paved worldwide street in the world.
Hoffner, who was touring with his school best buddy and a information in a beat-up Toyota sedan, started the journey in the Hunza Valley and wound his manner to the end of the street in Islamabad.
“It’s just incredible terrain, so beautiful,” he told The Post.
Hoffner shared that half of the magic of those miles lies in their unpredictability.
“A number of times, part of the highway caved in, and we had to wait hours for military backhoes to clear the road. You’re never in danger, but you’re not really sure how long it’s going to take or what’s going to happen along the way,” he continued.
“One of the greatest road trips ever, no question about it.”
Best cup of espresso: Sudan
Sudan has Hoffman’s favourite cup of espresso. AFP via Getty Images
An avid espresso drinker, Hoffner carries Starbucks prompt packets when he’s touring, just in case he’s someplace too distant or awake too early to discover a local source.
However, in Sudan, Hoffman discovered the fabled excellent cup.
“We were in this conflict country, and we weren’t allowed complete freedom of movement, so I spent a lot of time in little roadside coffee places,” he told The Post. “The first time, I just ordered a coffee, and it had this funny taste. They brew it with ginger powder, and it’s delicious.”
Best food: Syria
Hoffner spent his 63rd birthday in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where his local information, Fadi, introduced him to his home for a celebratory feast.
Hoffner spent his 63rd birthday at his local information, Fadi’s home. Barry Hoffner
“Bowls and platters to no end: lentil soup, baba ghanous, fattoush salad, kibbeh, labneh, and muhammara,” Hoffner recounted in his e book.
According to him, Syria just edges out Lebanon for the best food in the world.
Most lovely panorama: Western Mongolia
Of all the sights Hoffner has had the privilege to see, he recollects the far west of Mongolia as the most lovely and unspoiled panorama on any continent.
The far west of Mongolia is the most lovely and unspoiled panorama on any continent, according to Hoffner. takepicsforfun – stock.adobe.com
“The valleys unfolded like a vibrant tapestry of raw nature: shimmering rivers and pristine lakes…The rugged mountains were alive with bright patterns of colorful midsummer wildflowers in bloom,” he writes in “Belonging to the World.”
“I imagined this untouched land looked much as it might have centuries ago, when Genghis Khan and his Mongol armies swept west across the steppe.”
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