Alex Baranda

Member since June 2025

#331 164 20

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
    1
    Jan. 1, 2020
    The Royal Sites of Ireland
  • 0
    7
    Jan. 1, 2020
    Big Bend National Park, Brooklyn Bridge, California Current Conservation Complex, Dayton Aviation Sites, Early Chicago …
Top 10 Missing
  1. Machu Picchu 4.62
  2. Petra 4.61
  3. Rome 4.57
  4. Venice and its Lagoon 4.51
  5. Pyramids (Memphis) 4.50
  6. Rapa Nui 4.49
  7. Victoria Falls 4.47
  8. Florence 4.46
  9. Great Wall 4.44
  10. Uluru 4.40
Completed Countries
>

About Alex Baranda

First name
Alex
Member since
June 2025
Country of Origin
None
Visits
Rank
#331
WHS
164
Tentative Sites
20
Website Participation
Reviews
1
Ratings

Ratings

World Heritage Sites
Tentative Sites
2 1
Photos
N/A
Locations
N/A
Zones
N/A

Reviews by Alex Baranda

Hawaii Volcanoes by Shandos Cleaver

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