UN World Heritage Sites

 

UN W/H Site = a place determined to have special cultural or physical significance by
the UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO)


UN World Heritage logo in China - 2009

~146 out of 936 (2011)  places (15.6%)
936 properties ; these include 725 cultural, 183 natural and 28 mixed properties in 153 (of  187) States Parties.

Wayne's W/H List

1

Argentina

Iguazu National Park (1984)

South America

 

Argentina

Los Glaciares (1981)
Perito Moreno glaciar

South America

 

Australia

Great Barrier Reef (1981)

South Pacific

 

Australia

Greater Blue Mountains Area (2000)

South Pacific

 

Australia

Kakadu National Park (1981, 1987, 1992)

South Pacific

 

Australia

Wet Tropics of Queensland (1988)

South Pacific

 

Australia

Sydney Opera House (2007)

South Pacific

 

Australia

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (1987, 1994)

South Pacific

 

Australia

Shark Bay, Western Australia (1991)

South Pacific

 

Austria

Historic Centre of Vienna (2001)

Europe

 

Austria

Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn (1996)

Europe

 

Bahrain

Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun

Middle East

 

Belgium

Belfries of Belgium and France *

Europe

 

Belgium

La Grand-Place, Brussels

Europe

 

Belize

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (1996)

Central Amer

 

Brazil

Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda (1982)

South America

 

Brazil

Brasilia (1987)

South America

 

Brazil

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks (2001) (Not Emas)

South America

 

Brazil

Iguaçu National Park (1986)

South America


Brazil - Chapada dos Veadeiros - On the left is a scenic valley, on the right is a series of cascading
waterfalls which includes a natural jacuzzi in the upper right corner - 2007

 

Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Asia

 

Canada

Historic District of Québec (1985)

North America

 

China

Wuyi Shan

Asia

 

China

Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (2000, 2003, 2004)

Asia

 

China

Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (1998)

Asia

 

China

The Great Wall (1987)

Asia

 

China

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (1998)

Asia

 

China

Mount Huangshan (1990)

Asia

 

China

Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing
and Shenyang (1987, 2004)

Asia

 

China

Macau

Europe


China - Macau - famous for casinos and also as a Portuguese output. And if you know where to look - 'famous' egg custard tarts - 2009

 

Colombia

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena (1984)

South Amer

 

Croatia

Old City of Dubrovnik (1979, 1994)

Europe

 

Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park (1979, 2000)

Europe

 

Czech

Historic Centre of Prague (1992)

Europe

 

Czech

Historic Centre of Ceský Krumlov (1992)

Europe

 

Czech

Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc (2000)

Europe

 

Denmark

Roskilde Cathedral (1995)

Scandinavia

 

Ecuador

City of Quito (1978)

South Amer

 

Ecuador

Galápagos Islands (1978, 2001)

South Amer


Ecuador - Upon arrival in the Galapagos, expect to be liberated of weight in the amount of $100 US Dollars - cash only if I recall correctly.
A lot more pricey than the $10 entrance fee to a mainland Ecuadorean national park that I visited. A number of remote places I went to were primarily for
scuba diving, that took up most of my time in the Galapagos. In the background is the Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island - 2006
Scuba diving can help one learn to be be peaceful under pressure - literally!

 

Egypt

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (1979)
Thebes = Luxor

Africa

 

Egypt

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (1979)
Did not visit Abu Simbel. Philae and some others.

Africa

 

Egypt

Memphis and its Necropolis –
the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (1979)

Africa


Egypt - foot up against a large column in the Karnak Temple. I used to keep museum / attraction tickets as souvenirs, but
that isn't so practical on longer trips -- I learned just to take photos of them. I have photos of almost all my air tickets too.
On the right is a small sampling of tickets I accumulated during 2 weeks in Egypt - 2006

 

England

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh

Europe

 

England

City of Bath

Europe

 

England

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites

Europe

 

Finland

Fortress of Suomenlinna (1991)

Scandinavia

 

Finland

Old Rauma (1991)

Scandinavia

 

France

Palace and Park of Fontainebleau (1981)

Europe

 

France

Paris, Banks of the Seine (1991)

Europe

 

Greece

Archaeological Site of Epidaurus (1988)

Europe

 

Greece

Archaeological Site of Olympia (1989)

Europe

 

Greece

Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns (1999)

Europe

 

Greece

Acropolis, Athens (1987)

Europe


Greece - Olympia, home of the Olympic Games on the left, and Epidaurus on the right - 2006

 

Guatemala

Tikal National Park (1979)

Central Amer


Guatemala - Tikal, a huge archaelogical site with "crooning" howler monkeys to keep you company - 2006
Tikal is one of the more memorable sites that I have ever visited due to the setting and size - best in the early, early morning before it gets too humid

 

Hungary

Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue (1987, 2002)

Europe

 

India

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)

India region

 

India

The Red Fort complex (2007)

India region

 

India

Agra Fort (1983)

India region

 

India

Elephanta Caves (1987)
(Near Mumbai harbor)

India region

 

India

Taj Mahal (1983)

India region

 

India

Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)

India region

 

Indonesia

Borobudur Temple Compounds (1991)

SE Asia

 

Indonesia

Prambanan Temple Compounds (1991)

SE Asia

 

Iran

Meidan Emam, Esfahan

Middle East

 

Iran

Bisotun - Darius reliefs

Middle East

 

Iran

Persepolis

Middle East

 

Israel

Masada (2001)

Middle East


Israel - On the way up to the mountain top fortress of Masada - 2006 / Just a bunch of smiling kids while touring near the city of David (Not UN W/H)

 

Italy

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City  (1980, 1990)

Europe

 

Italy

Historic Centre of Florence (1982)

Europe

 

Italy

18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex (1997)

Europe

 

Italy

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (1997)

Europe

 

Italy

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula (1998)

Europe

 

Italy

Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta (1995, 1999)

Europe


Italy - Pompeii on left, seldom visited Paestum on the right - 2006

 

Japan

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (1996)

Asia

 

Japan

Himeji-jo (1993)

Asia

 

Japan

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (1994)

Asia

 

Japan

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (1998)

Asia


Japan - Himeji - Castle in the center of town. I read in a Lonely Planet guide that there was a place to get dressed
up for free in a samurai outfit, and well...you can see the result! - 2003

 

Jerusalem (By Jordan)

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (1981)

Middle East

 

Jordan

Petra

Middle East

 

Laos

Town of Luang Prabang (1995)

SE Asia

 

Latvia

Historic Centre of Riga (1997)

Baltics

 

Lithuania

Curonian Spit (2000)

Baltics

 

Lithuania

Vilnius Historic Centre (1994)

Baltics

 

Luxembourg

City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications

Europe

 

Mexico

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza (1988)

Central Amer


Mexico - Chichen-Itza - 2006

 

Morocco

Medina of Marrakesh (1985)

North Africa

 

Morocco

Historic City of Meknes (1996)

North Africa

 

Morocco

Archaeological Site of Volubilis (1997, 2008)

North Africa

 

Morocco

Medina of Fez (1981)

North Africa


Morocco - Marrakesh -- Narrow city shopping streets that surround the main square with stores grouped by types of goods being sold
On the right, colorful carpets. A couple of years later while visiting a carpet museum in Tehran, Iran, I learned
why some cultures value intricate & exquisitely crafted carpets more than others. It wasn't a lesson from the museum itself, but rather
a psychological insight. And it also explained why some people own and spend a lot of money on shoes.... --  2008


Morocco - Marrakesh - A lesson in multiple perspectives. Upon arrival at one of the most beautiful hostels I ever stayed at - The Equity Point Marrakesh
,
 the girl on the left came screaming into my room asking for help. Her friend on the right (with glasses) had fainted from food poisoning and she needed my help.
To make a long story short, her friend got better, but we ended up hanging out for the day while her friend recovered at the hostel / riad.
While we were walking through the narrow streets, as above, she noted how different it was when I was with her. For when she and her friend
were walking around by themselves the day before, the men would gawk, stare, and say various "unpleasant (sexual) things."

However, none of this occurred when I was with her, and later both of them - as pictured above while looking for dinner in the lively main market square.
This was not only a lesson in the female perspective and culture of Marrakesh, but also another lesson in how we respond automatically to subconscious cues.
Whether from body language, sound of our voices, visual stimuli (man and woman vs women alone), and even vibrational energy from each other.
(All molecules are vibrating, so by definition, all of our molecules are vibrating ---> thus we each have a different overall vibrational "signature" )

Related article and video: Anti-wi-fi paint offers security (BBC)
"The paint contains an aluminium-iron oxide which resonates at the same frequency as wi-fi
- or other radio waves - meaning the airborne data is absorbed and blocked." All molecules are vibrating, even though we can't see them......

Perhaps an example many are familiar with is when a co-worker comes back from a "happy vacation"
and brings, at least for a few days, a different energy to the office - until their vibrational state reverts back to their earlier state.
Another example would be in a big city - the different feeling "in the air"  between a weekday and workday. I felt this acutely in Medellin, Colombia.
Or the "atmosphere" in a tense meeting, the days leading up to a holiday, or even just between a Monday and Friday.

It is the real-time detection and 'awareness' of all these subconscious cues that I have learned to see / sense / hear, better and better, as I have made myself
more peaceful on the inside & outside.

----

Research: Victim selection criteria by criminals (Workplace Bullying Institute) - talks about how we walk
BBC video clip on - subconscious body language (Youtube)
The links above talk about subconscious body language, but there is much more than that going on between us. In my earlier days of travel,
I would carry a mini tripod stick sometimes for protection. As I learned more about who we are, let's just say, I don't carry anything for physical protection any more.
There are many things I used to "worry about" that I just don't worry about any more.

---

Staying at hostels (or even inexpensive hotels) - means one often has instant travel buddies. It doesn't always work out that way so one learns to
be comfortable by themselves. But, this was just a little story that you might find interesting.

 

Nepal

Kathmandu Valley (1979)

India region

 

New Zealand

Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (1990)
Milford Sound, Franz Josef, Fox, included

South Pacific

 

Norway

West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nćrřyfjord (2005)

Scandinavia

 

Norway

Bryggen (1979)

Scandinavia

 

Peru

Caral

South Amer

 

Peru

Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (1986)

South Amer

 

Peru

Nazca Lines

South Amer

 

Peru

Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa (2000)

South Amer

 

Peru

Macchu Pichu

South Amer

 

Peru

City of Cuzco (1983)

South Amer

 

Peru

Historic Centre of Lima (1988, 1991)

South Amer


Peru - Chan Chan archaeological site on the left, and on the right in the distance is the city of Arequipa, which is flanked by tall mountains - 2007
For archaeological buffs, Peru is a place of seemingly never ending places to visit. I enjoyed it so much I went back a 2nd time in 2010 with two friends.
2010 Peru was also one of the first trips where I did not bring a camera with me. 2 weeks of just enjoying all the moments - big & small without interruption

 

Portugal

Historic Centre of Oporto (1996)

Europe

 

Portugal

Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (1983, 2008)

Europe

 

Portugal

Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995)

Europe

 

Russia

Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and
Related Groups of Monuments (1990)

Asia

 

Russia

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow (1990)
(Didn't go in Kremlin - security/tour limitations, walked around all walls)

Asia


Russia - St.Petersburg - Church of the Savior on Blood -- Moscow Kremlin wall -- 2006

 

South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Africa

 

South Africa

uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

Africa

 

South Africa

Robben Island

Africa

 

South Korea

Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000)

Asia

 

South Korea

Changdeokgung Palace Complex (1997)

Asia

 

South Korea

Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks (1995)

Asia

 

South Korea

Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (1995)

Asia


South Korea - Haeinsa - 2008 


South Korea - Busan - Not a World Heritage site, but it was a city I enjoyed exploring, and was a break from exploring the WH sites above - 2008

 

Spain

El Teide National Park

Europe

 

Spain

San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Europe

 

Spain

Mudejar Architecture of Aragon (1986, 2001)

Europe

 

Spain

Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct (1985)

Europe

 

Spain

Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona (1997, 2008)

Europe

 

Spain

Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) (1985)

Europe

 

Spain

Works of Antoni Gaudí (1984, 2005)

Europe

 

Spain

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada (1984, 1994)

Europe

 

Spain

Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias (1985, 1998)

Europe

 

Spain

Aranjuez Cultural Landscape (2001)

Europe

 

Spain

La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia (1996)

Europe


Spain - Segovia - Rumored to be one of the castles that inspired Walt Disney and the Disneyland castle - 2008

 

Sri Lanka

Sacred City of Anuradhapura (1982)

India region

 

Sri Lanka

Sacred City of Kandy (1988)

India region

 

Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Sigiriya (1982)

India region

 

Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (1982)

India region

 

Sri Lanka

Golden Temple of Dambulla (1991)

India region


Sri Lanka - Dambulla - 2004
A small country with tons of archaeology, natural vistas, warm weather, and easy going people
Sri Lanka is one of my favorite destinations

 

Sweden

Royal Domain of Drottningholm (1991)

Scandinavia

 

Switzerland

Old City of Berne

Europe

 

Switzerland

Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn (2001)

Europe

 

Thailand

Historic City of Ayutthaya and Associated Historic Towns (1991)

SE Asia

 

Turkey

Historic Areas of Istanbul (1985)

Middle East

 

Turkey

Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (1985)

Middle East

 

Turkey

Hierapolis-Pamukkale (1988)

Middle East


Turkey - Istanbul - Blue Mosque / Inside the Hagia Sophia church - 2008


Sunroof on a bus! Bus between Bulgaria and Turkey

 

USA

Independence Hall (1979)

 North America

 

USA

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (1995)

 North America

 

USA

Olympic National Park (1981)

 North America

 

USA

Redwood National Park (1980)

 North America

 

USA

Yellowstone (1978)

 North America

 

USA

Yosemite National Park (1984)

 North America

 

USA

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (1987)

 North America

 

USA

Grand Canyon National Park (1979)

 North America

 

USA

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park #

North America

146

USA

Everglades National Park (1979)

 North America

Notable places that ARE NOT World Heritage sites

Titan Missile Museum - Near Tucson, AZ, USA (Photos in Notable Places)
Soviet missile silo base - Klaipeda, Lithuania
Tsukiji Fish Market - Tokyo, Japan (Photos in Notable Places)
Vasa Warship Museum - Stockholm, Sweden
Aircraft graveyard - Tucson, AZ, USA (Photos in Notable Places)
Dead Sea
Palau
more....


Vasa Warship Museum - Stockholm, Sweden - 2006 - if you like old ships, this museum is a must


a better perspective with this postcard


Klaipeda, Lithuania - Abandoned Soviet era nuclear missile silo base --- Just a wood sculpture from a nearby park - 2006