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The woman who travelled to every country in the world says Pakistan is in her top 10
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The woman who travelled to every country in the world says Pakistan is in her top 10

Other countries on her list include Oman, Mongolia and Peru among others.
Images Staff
21 Feb, 2017

If you've got chronic wanderlust, prepare to experience crippling envy.

Cassie De Pecol from Connecticut, U.S.A spent 18-something months ticking off nations at a rate of knots and has become the first documented person to step on all 196 countries on the planet.

From all the countries she visited, the travel enthusiast gave Telegraph Travel her list of top 10 places everyone must visit and guess what — Pakistan was #5 on her list.

The hospitality I've received so far in #Pakistan and specifically #Karachi has been astounding! From being offered a random, free upgrade to business class on @gulfair to being graced with the amazing hospitality of the crew and entering the cockpit and meeting the Pilot (the Captain knew about my Expedition before I even told him!), speaking to the students at the Institute of Business Administration, meeting the Mayor of Karachi, Mr. Wasim Akhtar, for the planting of the Cedrus Deodara tree (the National Tree of Pakistan) 🌲, coming back to my beautiful (sponsored) hotel and seeing my story and Mission on the front page of Traveller International, and finally, meeting with @rotaryinternational tonight! So incredibly humbling. Also, just comes to show (for those who think I'm not seeing anything in the countries I visit and that 2-5 days isn't enough) that it's all about time management and maximizing every moment of your time to make the most with what you have. But same applies to everything else in life, doesn't it? My time here in Pakistan has just begun and has been one of the many wonderfully educational and culturally enriching experiences on #Expedition196. Don't judge a book by its color or a country by the media. Much love ❤️🇵🇰 #peacethroughtourism • • • ✨Snapchat @ cassiedepecol To view all videos from today including the tree planting and meeting with the Mayor, head to Facebook.com/expedition196 ✨

A post shared by Cassie De Pecol | Official (@expedition_196) on

Cassie shared that one must visit Pakistan "to get a true sense of raw, authentic Asian culture and for the food!"

She had to wait four months to get her visa approved but said she was not disappointed. revealing that her time in Pakistan was one of the "many wonderfully educational and culturally enriching experiences" of her travels.

Other names that appear on the list are Oman, Mongolia, Peru among others. Read the entire list here.

Comments

analyses Feb 21, 2017 05:20pm
Nice... Karachi surprises everyone as the city is exactly different than its image portrayed in the media.
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BILAL Feb 21, 2017 05:30pm
NICE !! Pakistan is an awesome country for travelers.
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McChrist Feb 21, 2017 05:33pm
Travelling to 196 countries in 18 months i.e being in each country for 2 days on an average isn't suffice.
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chitrali Feb 21, 2017 05:49pm
If she visited entire of Pakistan, Pakistan would get first number in the world.
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Harmony-1© Feb 21, 2017 05:55pm
Number 5 out of 196 - Wow! Lovey Pakistan indeed! Here are Cassie De Pecol top 10 countries: 1 Mongolia 2 Bhutan 3 Maldives 4 Vanuatu 5 Pakistan 6 Oman 7 Tunisia 8 Peru 9 Costa Rica 10 USA
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McChrist Feb 21, 2017 06:08pm
@BILAL How many foreign tourists arrive to pakistan every year?
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MOHAMMAD IQBAL Feb 21, 2017 06:18pm
@chitrali you are 100% correct. Pakistan is # one on earth. This is not XYZ reort. This is ground reality
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ABE Feb 21, 2017 06:35pm
@McChrist - At least she has met the challenge and reached her goal. On the other hand, your Green Passport may not allow even to step on foreign soil for even one hour, must less two days!
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Zakir hussain Feb 21, 2017 06:42pm
@Harmony-1© Number 5 out of 196 - Wow! Lovey Pakistan indeed! I guess if she had visited in last 10 days she had indeed changed her mind
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Alexey Feb 21, 2017 06:56pm
Wow. She must be super rich!
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Harmony-1© Feb 21, 2017 07:53pm
@Zakir Hussain - So, we gather you are smarting for not being in the list.
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M.Malik Feb 21, 2017 08:50pm
She's always welcome to Pakistan. Hopefully, next time she will get her Pakistani much sooner. On the other hand, I wouldn't like to see someone like Trump to step on Pakistani soil for even two hours - for his own good!
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Syed Feb 21, 2017 09:03pm
Respect#Pakistan#England. Pakistan is Amazing.. and people are very hospitable.
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Pakistani Feb 21, 2017 09:59pm
Thank you so much for visiting. All our love and best wishes
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Rohit Feb 21, 2017 10:06pm
A society whose hospitality is legendary how can it contains so much violence in it. A paradox indeed. Loved the news article. We need more such news from south asia
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IMTIAZ ALI KHAN Feb 21, 2017 10:06pm
We appreciate your love Cassie De Pecol, may Almighty bless you with all the Shanti and love this life has to offer. Thank you from the Indus Valley Land Pakistan.
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Malik Saab Feb 21, 2017 10:30pm
We always welcome Beautiful White women. If she would be a black lady then the hospitality would never be the same.
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Zak Feb 21, 2017 11:20pm
Pakistan, as always among the top. Thank wonderful lady for seeing true beauty in a unique country and its people and telling the world.
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Zakir hussain Feb 21, 2017 11:20pm
@Harmony-1© who cares
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Makhdoom Feb 22, 2017 12:42am
@McChrist last year 10 lack people visited just northern areas of Pakistan remember just northern areas they increased day by day.
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Baba Feb 22, 2017 12:59am
If SHe impressed of Karachi so much , I wonder what would she say about the natural beauty and hospitality of my Valley of Swat. But thank you Karachi for taking care of guests .
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Z Khan - USA Feb 22, 2017 01:06am
"entering the cockpit and meeting the Pilot (the Captain knew about my Expedition before I even told him!), ". DO you know that its illegal? Captain should be in the prison.
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Princess_of_DHUMP Feb 22, 2017 01:24am
For free upgrade to business, complimentary hotel, hobnobbing with city's elite I too will say anything. I still however need to dye my hair blonde and get blue contacts
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Emily Feb 22, 2017 02:10am
@Malik Saab Rubbish. I am black and was welcomed in both Lahore and Karachi.
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Afzaal Feb 22, 2017 02:53am
@Rohit Anyone who is aware of the recent events of the region will have no difficulty that current violence has its roots in American campaigns in our neighbourhood.
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gary ira Feb 22, 2017 03:48am
@MOHAMMAD IQBAL and you complain about unfair partition if you got the best land ?
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Bhatti Feb 22, 2017 04:20am
Finally she found the real truth about Pakistan and it's natives. Good work Cassie !
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MUHIBBEWATAN Feb 22, 2017 04:30am
Well,, the general perception of Pakistan, and more so Karachi, is actually misplaced due to the negative publicity and the trail of undesirable events that have painted an ugly picture of a truly cosmopolitan city and a promising country. Thus, the article really revives the past image of this city of colors and the beautiful country of Pakistan, and scores a home run in the world of travel and tourism. Compliments to the writer for presenting a realistic picture of this great city of Karachi and the promising country called Pakistan.
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Indian Feb 22, 2017 04:58am
@Malik Saab you got it man
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Amer Rao Feb 22, 2017 07:41am
Welcome to Pakistan.
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Akil Akhtar Feb 22, 2017 10:05am
@Malik Saab Always negative....
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Anir Feb 22, 2017 11:08am
Many countries are beautiful. Pakistan should be one of them. The politics have resulted in giving a different image of the country. Imagine Pakistan without the violent people. Imagine tourism is promoted the way it is done in Switzerland. Remove violence and promote tourism, not only Pakistan will be much richer but will be true to its own culture. As an Indian, it will be a great day to see such Pakistan.
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Anir Feb 22, 2017 11:09am
@Malik Saab Thats the sad part of our culture. We consider whites as superior and blacks as someone below us.
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Farrukh Feb 22, 2017 11:53am
Thought most of we Pakistanis knows what Pakistan is and what it is not, but for sure it is NOT what the west think of Pakistan. As per my direct experience they are always amazed to see it here by themselves against what they have seen or known by their media.
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Faraz Zubair Feb 22, 2017 12:02pm
@Malik Saab That may stand true for you Malik Saab.
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Jafar Feb 22, 2017 12:04pm
Cassie,when you are Nice to others then they are Nicer to you.All your travelogue proves you must be a very Nice person.Love your narration,wish you could spend more time with Pakistanies,specially Karachi people.We can show you around and take you the interior Sindh for a Natural glimpse of life in today's' sun natural world.Next time when you are planning to visit drop a few lines to us thru Dawn which publishes such refreshing stories quite often.Good luck,have a safe journey every where you go and enjoy life merrily.
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Satyameva Jayate Feb 22, 2017 12:23pm
How many minutes did she spend walking alone on the streets of Pakistan? The answer is ZERO. Hence, that is the value her ranking carries.
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Cassie De Pecol Feb 22, 2017 12:46pm
I have spent merely two days and was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of hospitality. You all are lovely people on this planet. I will be returning soon with a whole lot of friends. I want to show how great this place and how much injustice is being done to its name. One day this place will be full of travelers having the most amazing time on earth. Till then, "kuudaa-haafiz"
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Feb 22, 2017 12:51pm
Welcome to the club.
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Sallu bhai Feb 22, 2017 01:20pm
India is NOT on her list :(
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Nasir London Feb 22, 2017 03:55pm
With all its dust and heat, Pakistan is still worth a visit because Pakistanis are hospitable people, some times dishonest but not all. Go to Pakistan and explore its diversity, you will not regret it.
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MEDIOCRE Feb 22, 2017 05:17pm
We, Pakistani, are good people, unfortunately we need a foreign endorsement to believe this fact.
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Sardar Muhammad Abbas Feb 22, 2017 05:57pm
Good to see such a positive approach towards Pakistan and Pakistanis.
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Khurshid Ahmad Khan Feb 23, 2017 12:24am
I wish someone from all around the world be my guest at Lahore for a bit longer, meet the wonderful, people, visit the worth seeing places and enjoy the delicious dishes. In return, I just want the projection of the true picture of my country
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AYZA Feb 23, 2017 06:23am
So proud of fellow Pakistanis who opened up their generous hearts for Cassie from Connecticut! Thank you dear Cassie for spreading love and a positive shout out for our beloved Pakistan and its sweet, kind spirit which is reflected throughout Pakistan ... for those who love it - it surely loves them back
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Ali Feb 23, 2017 11:20am
@Emily please dont take him seriously, you will such people every where.
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Feroze Danish Feb 24, 2017 03:27pm
This is incredible news and is making Pakistan very prominent in the international world. She is considered as a tourist's Goddess , the one admired by everyone who have any interest in travelling. We live in a country that is uniquely diverse and interesting.
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junaid Feb 25, 2017 10:25am
great chance of any traveler
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Bhatti Feb 25, 2017 09:09pm
@Cassie De Pecol We appreciate your feeling about Pakistan Cassie, you exhibited true American spirit Hard- to- find in Trump's era these days. Seeing is believing after all. Hope some day America, a land built by immigrants, will become great again through justice, peace and equality.
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Waqas Ahmed Feb 25, 2017 10:54pm
I'm sure if she had travelled up north, Pakistan would've been top on her list.
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