61-year-old traveler sells home to fund global journey, reaching 166 countries

Lynn Stephenson, a 61-year-old resident of Carlton, Nottinghamshire, has announced she has now explored a total of 166 countries. She financed her global travels by selling her home two years prior. Ms. Stephenson stated that her lifelong passion for travel intensified, leading her to decide to visit every country following the conclusion of the Covid lockdown, having already seen several nations before embarking on her current journey. Her count will reach 167 countries after Tuesday, with Nauru, located in the South Pacific, becoming her latest destination, leaving fewer than 30 nations yet to be visited. According to Ms. Stephenson, the most rewarding aspect of her travels has been discovering that the world is filled with “kind, hospitable people”. She recounted completing her initial round-the-world journey in 1992, stating: “That kicked off my travel journey, and I travelled on and off since then.” Reflecting on her decision a couple of years ago to visit every country, she commented: “I thought my best chance was to sell the house, and spend the money wisely on travel.” Ms. Stephenson, an avid adventurer, documents her journeys on a blog and Instagram. She remarked: “I think I inspire other people to travel as well, which is lovely.” Her travels commenced two years ago in Saudi Arabia, and since then, she has explored nations such as Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan. Currently in Kiribati in the South Pacific, Ms. Stephenson shared: “It’s been absolutely incredible – to have the experiences I have had, to see the sights, to meet some of the fantastic people.” She mentioned swimming alongside manta rays, sting rays, sea lions, marine iguanas, and turtles, in addition to witnessing numerous incredible locations. She described the experience as: “It has been absolutely fantastic – just adventures.” A notable highlight was her visit to the Galapagos Islands, which she characterized as “spectacular”. She recalled: “I went for eight days, but stayed for 16.” She further questioned: “Where else can you swim in the sea with penguins?” Despite her extensive travels, Iran, which she visited shortly before the pandemic, remains her favorite country. She stated: “I think it is the most hospitable, wonderful country I have ever been to.” Upon her upcoming flight to Nauru, she will have completed visits to every country in the Pacific region. Ms. Stephenson outlined her subsequent itinerary: “The plan next is I’m going to Australia and from there I’m going to Timor-Leste [East Timor], then Brunei and Bangladesh, then that is all of Asia completed.” Her February plans include a trip to Africa to visit Sudan and South Sudan, where she intends to stay with the Mundari tribe. She currently has no set date for her return home. She further commented: “I don’t think I’ll ever stop travelling.”