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	forum.worldheritagesite.org Forum / WHS in the media /
	Challenge

	elsslots Admin	#1 \| Posted: 12 Apr 2021 00:26
		https://www.croatiaweek.com/couple-attempting-to-be-first-on-the-planet-to-visit-all-unesco-world-heritage-sites-arrive-in-croatia/ "Jana, from the Czech Republic, and Matt from Sweden, started a travel challenge six years ago to become the first to visit all UNESCO World Heritage Sites." If they're at 128 after 6 years, they won't get very far... Their website

	elsslots Admin	#2 \| Posted: 12 Apr 2021 00:33
		They claim to have been to Surtsey as well, but the photos seem to show only the more accessible Westman islands

	Zoe Partaker	#3 \| Posted: 13 Apr 2021 11:12
		I guess the couple hasn't really looked at the list to see it's not really easy to do that, although we know this is more of a marketing ploy anyway.

	scleaver Partaker	#4 \| Posted: 13 Apr 2021 21:03
		128 is very slow going for 6 years!

	Colvin Partaker	#5 \| Posted: 13 Apr 2021 23:44
		Yes, all of the UNESCO sites is a tall order for anyone, but I hope they enjoy their journeys wherever this adventure takes them!

	jonathanfr Partaker	#6 \| Posted: 14 Apr 2021 03:56
		The following 3 connections alone will constitute an obstacle for this couple: - https://www.worldheritagesite.org/connection/Discriminatory+Entry+Policies - https://www.worldheritagesite.org/connection/Not+open+to+tourists - https://www.worldheritagesite.org/connection/Takes+more+than+5+days+to+visit

	meltwaterfalls Partaker	#7 \| Posted: 14 Apr 2021 05:52
		For a brief moment I thought they had some significant backing as the had UNESCO, WHS, Ramsar, ICOMOS, Global Heritage Fund etc logos at the bottom of their webpage. But it turns out this couple are just "Supporters of" those organisations. Els maybe you can bring back your photo of that handpainted WHS logo from Ethiopia, and just say you are a supporter! It looks like a very swish website, and fair play to them for choosing such an enjoyable hobby, though I think they will end up a fairway short of their goal. They travel to about the same number of sites per year as me (pre pandemic) and if I ever get over 33% I would consider that an impressive feat.

	meltwaterfalls Partaker	#8 \| Posted: 14 Apr 2021 06:03
		elsslots: They claim to have been to Surtsey as well, but the photos seem to show only the more accessible Westman islands This is their explanation (it took a bit of finding, they seem to be very geared to generating clicks and social media interactions it seems) Instagram: The ferry â›´ crossing takes about 45 minutes and if you're really lucky you may see whales ðŸ‹ and dolphins ðŸ¬ on the way. The ferry will drop you off on the island of Heimaey, which is the only inhabited island from the Vestmanneyar group of islands, also known as the Westman islands. Heimaey is a beautiful volcanic ðŸŒ‹ island with incredible landscape, and it's also the home to the famous and super cute Icelandic puffins. ðŸ¦ There is a visitor centre for those who want to learn more about the volcanic eruption that created Surtsey less than 60 years ago. You can drive around the island and from the viewpoints you can see Surtsey in the distance. ðŸ‘€ You can book a boat tour that will take you even closer and allow you to circle around Surtsey nice and closer. We weren't able to do that because there were no boat tours running this year, but we still got to see it close enough. ðŸ™ They seem to have been there in November, so perhaps the trips that people from this website took had ceased by then?

	elsslots Admin	#9 \| Posted: 14 Apr 2021 06:09 \| Edited by: elsslots
		There are no regular boat tours to Surtsey and there have never been any. You have to charter a boat by yourself (Randi/Svein, mrayers and I did it this way). It must be a very clear day when you can see Surtsey from Heimaey in the far distance. I doubt that they even saw that, at least I have seen no pictures of it. Surtsey is pretty far from the other Westmann islands and almost barren (while the others are green).

	forum.worldheritagesite.org Forum / WHS in the media /
	Challenge