Don Parrish was officially awarded the title world’s most well-traveled man after a recent trip to the remote Conway Reef off the coast of Fiji. Parrish has been to every country and territory around the globe, and he is not finished yet.
Don Parrish at Palmyra Island in 2016. Caters News Agency
The 73-year-old Parrish has dedicated the majority of his life to traveling. He has visited places some of us can only dream of.
Parrish at Conway Castle in Wales. Caters News Agency
His list of visited destinations includes Switzerland, Russia, North Korea, Easter Island, Somalia, Madagascar, Finland, South Africa and Mexico just to name a few.
The Chicago resident began traveling after spending the summer of 1965 in Germany working in a metal factory.
Parrish in Eastern Island in 1994. Caters News Agency
He has become one of just 23 people to have completed the Travelers’ Century Club by visiting the 325 countries or territories on their list.
Parrish has been to all 193 United Nations countries and more than 1,000 places on the Nomad Mania list.
Caters News Agency
Parrish ever the proud American has also traveled through all 50 states in his home country.
Caters News Agency
Now that he is retired from his telecommunications job, he has saved his money to be able to take trips around the globe.
He said: “I like to see the real place where things happened and I like making connections.”
Parrish at Conway Reef in 2013. Caters News Agency
He continued: “I travel by myself, with one person, with a few people, in small groups, large groups or with a driver and guide.”
“I live frugally — no smoking, no coffee, I drive old cars and I have spent my life savings.”
Parrish with a North Korean security officer. Caters News Agency
Becoming the world’s most traveled man requires extreme dedication and as Parrish himself acknowledges “some suffering,” including sacrificing the chance to marry or have children.
Parrish at the Great Wall of China in 1984. Caters News Agency
His travels left him in some unnerving situations as he ventured into some of the world’s most hostile locations, such as the narrowest part of the Khyber Pass between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He says traveling at night in remote places like this is one of the most dangerous parts of the journey.
Parrish holds up a tribute to Steve Jobs at the South Pole in 2011. Caters News Agency
He said: “In 2010 I visited Bossaso in Somalia. My travel agent refused to help me because he thought I would get kidnapped.”
“So I requested security from a local guy I used to plan the trip.”
Parrish in Sri Lanka in 2015.Caters News Agency
“The word security got translated into four armed guards who stayed in their own room at the hotel and even followed me from my room to the computer room when I did emails at 11pm at night.”
Don isn’t finished yet despite traveling to more places than any other person.
Parrish at the Mauritius Safari Park in 2013.Caters News Agency
His list has more than 20 destinations he still wants to see before he’s done with traveling. Most of the places left on his list to visit are remote islands including the Bounty islands, the Scott Islands, Paracel Islands and Guantanamo Bay.
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