“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Lao Tzu
The world is ours to see, explore and discover. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Athirah Azhar, who is determined to visit every country on earth. For many people, travel is a deeply personal, even spiritual journey: a bumpy road, but one full of moments you’ll carry with you for life. Whether you go solo, with a partner or with a group, there’s never a bad time to head somewhere new. I hope Athirah’s story inspires you to get out there and see it for yourself, because fear costs more than regret.
1. What inspired you to begin your travel journey?
My curiosity about the world was the biggest inspiration. I’ve always wanted to see beyond what I knew, experience different cultures, meet people from completely different backgrounds, and understand how people live in different parts of the world. What started as a desire to explore gradually became a huge part of my life. Every journey made me want to see just a little more of the world.
2. Which journey tested you the most, physically and mentally?
Finishing Central and South America was probably the toughest and most rewarding part of my travels. It was physically demanding, but the mental side was even more challenging — constantly moving, dealing with unexpected situations, different environments, long journeys, and sometimes simply being exhausted but still having to keep going. At the same time, it was incredibly memorable because of how much I experienced along the way. Reaching the end felt like a huge personal achievement.
3. How many countries have you visited to date?
I’ve visited 121 countries so far. Every country has added something different to my perspective, and reaching 121 has made me realize that the number itself is actually less important than the experiences and memories behind it.
4. Any particular country that has left a lasting memory for you?
There are many, but Russia, Indonesia, Peru and Argentina have all left particularly strong memories for me. They are very different from each other, but each gave me experiences that have stayed with me long after I left. Some places just have a certain feeling that you don’t forget.
5. Which country or countries would you revisit in a heartbeat?
Definitely Russia, Indonesia, Peru and Argentina. I’d go back to any of them in a heartbeat. Even after visiting so many countries, there are places where you feel you’ve only scratched the surface, and these are among them.
6. Any advice for people who want to start their solo traveling journey but are a bit worried to do so?
Just start. You don’t have to begin with a huge, complicated trip or travel to the other side of the world. Take a small step and see how it feels.
Being nervous before your first solo trip is completely normal. I think the biggest thing you discover is that you are much more capable than you thought. When you travel alone, you learn to trust yourself, make decisions, deal with unexpected situations and, perhaps most importantly, become comfortable with your own company.
You’ll make mistakes and have difficult moments, but those often become the stories you remember most. Don’t wait until you feel completely ready, you probably never will. Take the leap, stay curious, and enjoy the freedom that comes with discovering the world on your own.
Click here if you would like to follow Athirah on her journey through her posts on Instagram.
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