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Since early 2007, I have been wanting to gear my future travels towards visiting more locations which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are so many amazing places around the world to see!
Here is the list that I have already visited so far. Click on the links to see pictures from my Google albums.
Total count: 81 sites in 21 countries
Australia
Greater Blue Mountains Area - 1976
Sydney Opera House - 1976
Belgium
The Architectural Works of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement - 2018
Belfries of Belgium and France - 2018
Historic Centre of Brugge - 2018
La Grand-Place, Brussels - 2018
Major Townhouses of the Architect Victor Horta - 2018
Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex - 2018
Stoclet House - 2018
Cambodia
Angkor - 2001
September 19, 2026
September 18, 2026
Three 3 stars in France day 8: from one island to another
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It's my last day on Noirmoutier, in fact it's my last day in France, and we got an early start as the sun was just coming up. Alexandre and Emma Couillon are taking us to see his suppliers at the fish market just here at Port de l'Herbaudière, which is just a few minutes' walk from the restaurant.
September 17, 2026
Three 3 stars in France day 7: simpler, lighter, better
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We're back at La Marine tonight. When I first thought about joining this excursion, I didn't quite understand when I was told that Geruhage was coming for 2 dinners. Well, Alexandre Couillon promised to cook him (and us) a different menu for the second night, so I was very curious what would be in store for us tonight. Our table tonight was all the way in the back of the restaurant facing the garden, which afforded us some natural light while the sun was still out. The starters we had were mostly the same as last night:
"Eau de tomate", infusion aux feuilles de tagète - once again, we start with this refreshing drink that combines acidity, umami, and sweetness.
Ventrèche de thon - cured with salt and sugar, then lightly seared on the outside. So... basically like Japanese tataki (たたき)... where it's still raw inside. Very nice.
We're back at La Marine tonight. When I first thought about joining this excursion, I didn't quite understand when I was told that Geruhage was coming for 2 dinners. Well, Alexandre Couillon promised to cook him (and us) a different menu for the second night, so I was very curious what would be in store for us tonight. Our table tonight was all the way in the back of the restaurant facing the garden, which afforded us some natural light while the sun was still out. The starters we had were mostly the same as last night:
Three 3 stars in France day 7: a look around the island
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Nights are certainly quiet here on Noirmoutier, and while I would have loved to spend an idyllic morning enjoying the island breeze, there was work to be done... so I stayed in my AirB and B room this morning and hit the keyboard. I still had some strawberries leftover from the box I bought in Paris, plus some Roscoff onion-flavored potato chips, so that was kind of my breakfast. I do need some caffeine to kickstart the day, and thankfully I had brought along Ta Vie 旅's coffee from Simple Kaffa. So I sat on the deck outside my room and enjoyed the breeze for a little bit...
September 16, 2026
Three 3 stars in France day 6: the pearl of Noirmoutier
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A few hours after stuffing our faces next door, I showed up at the front door to La Marine - the destination restaurant with 3 macarons run by the Couillon family on the site of the former establishment operated by Alexandre's parents. Apparently this place has seen a major revamp, where the kitchen now faces the harbor and anyone passing by outside can get a peek into the action through the windows. The dining area has been relocated to the rear of the restaurant with a view of the gardens. And visitors are now asked to wait in the foyer, where they get to watch a beautiful introductory video that would have cost a pretty penny to produce. Céline greeted us at the door and led us to our table. We were also looked after by Vincent, who had actually spent time in Hong Kong at a bistro I never had to pleasure of patronizing. Thirsty from the 80-meter walk from his hotel room around the corner, Geruhage immediately asked Vincent for a glass of Champagne... We began our meal with a handful of starters, prepping our stomachs for the bigger things coming our way:
"Eau de tomate", infusion aux feuilles de tagète - no surprise here that there's plenty of umami, but we've also got sweetness. This was so refreshing!
A few hours after stuffing our faces next door, I showed up at the front door to La Marine - the destination restaurant with 3 macarons run by the Couillon family on the site of the former establishment operated by Alexandre's parents. Apparently this place has seen a major revamp, where the kitchen now faces the harbor and anyone passing by outside can get a peek into the action through the windows. The dining area has been relocated to the rear of the restaurant with a view of the gardens. And visitors are now asked to wait in the foyer, where they get to watch a beautiful introductory video that would have cost a pretty penny to produce. Céline greeted us at the door and led us to our table. We were also looked after by Vincent, who had actually spent time in Hong Kong at a bistro I never had to pleasure of patronizing. Thirsty from the 80-meter walk from his hotel room around the corner, Geruhage immediately asked Vincent for a glass of Champagne... We began our meal with a handful of starters, prepping our stomachs for the bigger things coming our way:
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