Carlo Sarion Profile

My enthusiasm for UNESCO World Heritage Sites is rooted in my love for travel, geography, and world cultures. I am originally from the Philippines but now live in Auckland, New Zealand. I'm a biologist, but dabbled in human resources for years when I was in Manila.

https://www.instagram.com/carlo.sarion/

Visited Sites Carlo Sarion

Load map Toggle Missing/Visited

Legend

  • Cultural
  • Natural
  • Mixed

Recent Reviews Carlo Sarion


Bahá'í House of Worship at New Delhi (T)

Carlo Sarion Philippines | New Zealand - 21-Jan-24

Bahá

Despite having the flu that was worsened by the awful smog, I decided to visit the Lotus Temple on the morning of our last day in Delhi in December 2023. I knew that I was going to regret not visiting it since it was close to our hotel (we were staying in Friend's Colony). My visit turned out to be quite wonderful, contrary to what Ralf had unfortunately experienced. Some notes about my visit:

1. The Information Centre - the centre is at the opposite end of the walkway leading to the temple. It contains heaps of information about the Baha'i faith: its origin, contemporary history, basic teachings and philosophy, religious sites around the world, social work, and community service projects

Read On

Humayun's Tomb

Carlo Sarion Philippines | New Zealand - 08-Jan-24

Humayun

My visit to Delhi in December 2023 was part of my mission of retracing my steps back in 2013, when I first travelled to India and missed visiting two of the three inscribed sites in Delhi, namely Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar. That was the time when I didn't care much about UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and my travel companion had a set itinerary I didn't want to deviate from. I therefore made sure that I would visit these sites on my return to Delhi.

The inscribed property refers to a complex comprising one main tomb (Humayun's tomb itself) and several other smaller tombs. Note that this complex of tombs is just one of the many tombs that are scattered across Nizamuddin neighbourhood and the greater Delhi. As my friend would call it, Delhi is both a metropolis and a massive graveyard.

Read On

Elephanta Caves

Carlo Sarion Philippines | New Zealand - 04-Jan-24

Elephanta Caves

The previous reviews pretty much described what to expect from a visit to the Elephanta Caves, a collection of rock-cut cave temples dedicated to Shiva. Here are some observations and updated info from my visit to the island on the second day of January 2024. 

1. Logistics - the experience of getting to the caves remains the same, of course: you get on a ferry from the Gate of India, sail for about an hour, catch the toy train upon arrival, walk uphill and dodge eager vendors, and pay the entrance tickets. Unless I missed it, there didn't seem to be an option for "luxury" ferry anymore, as everyone got one type of ticket at INR 260 return, with an option to pay extra INR 10 for a seat on the upper deck. I took the toy train (INR 18) and paid INR 5 for the local tax (or 'village' entry fee). I also decided not to buy a guide booklet being sold for INR 180 as I've had internet connection and knew that there would be info panels at the caves

Read On

Sites of Saytagrah (T)

Carlo Sarion Philippines | New Zealand - 01-Jan-24

Sites of Saytagrah (T)

First TWHS review of 2024? If so, yay! :D 

I did not give much attention to this TWHS simply because it was overshadowed by all other outstanding WHS and TWHS in my itinerary. Yes, a UNESCO WHS is not about superlatives, grandness, or exceptional experiences, but it is natural for us to set aside those that are not as flashy. However, this serial nomination represents an important part of modern Indian history and a movement/ideology/philosophy founded by Mohandas Gandhi--the satyagraha. During my visit to Ahmedabad and India post-Christmas December 2023, I spent some time exploring the following four properties listed in this serial nomination. 

Read On

Ahmadabad

Carlo Sarion Philippines | New Zealand - 30-Dec-23

Ahmadabad

Immediately after visiting the dusty cities that make up the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur), arriving in Ahmedabad seemed to be a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. Yes, the classic mayhem and modern urban problems typical of Indian cities are all present in Ahmedabad. However, its RELATIVELY cleaner air, a well-maintained airport, gentrified riverfront, and less touristy feel made the city a rather nice place to travel to. Such observation is quite contrary to previous reviews, but a lot has happened since—according to a hotel staff I talked to, there has been a rapid development in Ahmedabad in the past several years, and he felt this beginning in 2022. The gentrification was of course limited to certain parts of the city, but somehow it worked

Read On

Profile Data

Name
Carlo Sarion
Country
Philippines | New Zealand
Most Impressive
Namib Sand Sea, Cappadocia, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Ancient Thebes, Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, and Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand, Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls
Proposal
I am hoping that the PH government will inscribe Mayon Volcano Natural Park and Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves

Recently Visited WHS

Update 04.01.24
Rating Stats
Angkor 5
Bagan 5
Iguacu 5
Borobudur 4.5
Cuzco 4.5
Arequipa 3.5
Hoi An 3.5
Ping Yao 3.5
Prambanan 3.5
Sigiriya 3.5
Sukhothai 3.5
Trang An 3.5
Vigan 3.5
Yazd 3.5
Bolgar 3
Kandy 3
Lima 3
Nikko 3
Puebla 3
Ahmadabad 2.5
Hué 2.5
Meknes 2.5
My Son 2.5
Rabat 2.5
Sviyazhsk 2.5
Tequila 2.5
Macao 1.5
    Expression #1 of ORDER BY clause is not in SELECT list, references column 'whsphp.t.name' which is not in SELECT list; this is incompatible with DISTINCT