I've been to several of these not because of the label but because many others said they were worth seeing. And so they have been apart from Stone Town, Zanzibar which actually doesn't need pulling down for it will fall down of its own accord pretty soon. As a list, it seems harmless enough.
However, today I read that the UK is thinking of stopping nominations for this status. It is said that UNESCO believes that we have our fair share of such sites at 24, so that would make the UK response like 'sour grapes'. What's this 'fair share' thing anyway? Another futile attempt at positive discrimination? Like, 'Sorry UK, nor more for you, you gotta let Vanuatu catch up.'
And then to my astonishment, I learn that it costs up to £400,000 to apply for this status and an average of £150,000/year to retain it. Well, that's turned me right off the whole idea. Waste of bloody money and guess some of that goes to those idle fat cats on the Hudson.
We have the internet and we have a plethora of travel books. We don't need UNESCO's listing.
Anyway, let's be nice. This is Ha Long Bay of the coast of North Vietnam. Hundreds of stunning limestone pinnacles set in the warm South China Sea. I thought it was quite beautiful.
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