Alex Baranda

Member since June 2025

#336 164 25 7

I'm a nerd by day, but my passion is photography and travel. I'm currently based in San Jose, California. I was born in the Philippines, but my family immigrated to Louisiana when I was a teen. In 2004, I relocated to California for a job opportunity. I worked quite a bit, so I decided to learn photography to have a reason to explore California (and take photos). Technically, my first UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Statue of Liberty, which I visited in New York during my college years. But since my photography hobby, my first is Yosemite National Park, which I have visited more than I can count. I got into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of my sister and cousins. They've always posted on social media that they've checked off a site. So here I am with 164 sites (currently), trying to keep up with them. Last year, I was in a group photography show at a local art gallery featuring some of my UNESCO World Heritage Site photos.

My most impressive site: Galapagos Islands

My proposal for a new site: Chefchaouen

Check out my website: https://sojournofapenguin.com/

Recent Visits
  • 164
    0
    June 3, 2025
    Abbey of St Gall, Amsterdam Canal Ring, Ancient Kyoto, Angkor, Antigua Guatemala ...
  • 0
    4
    Jan. 1, 2024
    Visit nominated site: Central Park, Chiang Mai, Civil Rights Movement Sites ...
  • 0
    1
    Jan. 1, 2020
    The Royal Sites of Ireland
Top 10 Missing
  1. Machu Picchu 4.62
  2. Petra 4.60
  3. Rome 4.57
  4. Venice and its Lagoon 4.51
  5. Pyramids (Memphis) 4.50
  6. Rapa Nui 4.49
  7. Victoria Falls 4.48
  8. Florence 4.45
  9. Great Wall 4.44
  10. Uluru 4.40
Completed Countries

About Alex Baranda

Member since
June 2025
Country of Origin
None
Visits
Rank
#336
WHS
164
Tentative Sites
25
Website Participation
Reviews
2
Ratings

Ratings

World Heritage Sites
Tentative Sites
3 1
Photos
N/A
Locations
N/A
Zones
N/A
Reserved for members.

Reviews by Alex Baranda

Dutch Water Defence Lines by Alex Baranda

Dutch Water Defence Lines (Inscribed)

Dutch Water Defence Lines

I visited one of the locations in August 2017. I was hoping to see more locations during my recent visit in November 2024, but unfortunately, I didn't get to visit …

Keep reading Alex Bara… 05/07/25
Hawaii Volcanoes by Alex Baranda

Hawaii Volcanoes (Inscribed)

Hawaii Volcanoes

September 2016

It was o-dark-thirty! The boat left the dock at dawn. A cup of some Kona coffee kept me awake. From a distance, I saw the fiery landscape …

Keep reading Alex Bara… 20/06/25