A British woman has completed a life-long mission to visit every country in the world – all 196 of them.
Sue Rogers, 69, first got the travelling bug when she went on a school trip to Dieppe aged 11. She has now visited every country – ticking off the last one when she went to Afghanistan in October this year.
Sue believes she is the first British-born woman to achieve the incredible feat. More people have walked on the moon than achieved what Sue has and she has done it despite suffering from a chronic fatigue condition for 23 years.
However the adventurous traveller has never let it stand in her way. Sue’s journeys across the world have been made up of holidays, short breaks, occasional work and longer journeys.
Sue has documented each trip on her blog with stunning images from her camera and personal stories from the good, bad and the wild.
Sue, who lives in Brighton, has ventured to Pacific islands, war torn nations, been hospitalised in South Asia, walked with penguins and met members of the Taliban.
She has travelled to all 196 countries – 193 United Nations, plus Taiwan, Kosovo and The Vatican.
Sue said: “My friends all think I’m mad or brave! The brave worries me, as I start to wonder if I am being stupid. But for me, life is all about experience and understanding the world.
“I’d rather have the memories than materialistic things. It is an amazing world, such an incredible world, so go out and see it!”
Her favourite places include the Pacific Islands, Patagonia, Bolivia and the Caribbean – but says her favourite country is “quite often the last country” she has ventured to.
Sue explains: “I love the mountains and the ocean. One of my favourite ways to spend my time is relaxing on tropical beaches – and the Solomon Islands and French Polynesia are wonderful for swimming and snorkeling.
“The scenery in Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, is also breathtaking: the mountains look as though they have been painted.”
Though Sue says her ventures have not been without struggle, as she worries about travelling on her own at times and is terrified of turbulence.
Sue has also been robbed a few times along the way and finds continuous demands for bribes in some countries “wearing” – she has even had to pay a ‘tip’ to get into some countries.
Sue said: “You always have to try and be aware and ask around.”
You can read more about Sue’s adventures and stay up to date on her next visit on her blog: https://suetravels.com/
