Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Thought this was an interesting story Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
globaltourist 17:08 UTC 13 Dec 2007 | http://powersneedle.com/misc/ballalae2.jpg Raises the question of whether to leave WWII wrecks in place, or let them be 'bought' by 'collectors' I've been following this case, as I contribute to J's site I just wondered if travellers on this board - indeed across the Pacific, thought that the wrecks in situ were not only a rather surreal sight, but were best left to allow the locals to turn them into 'fee' payiing attractions, as well as providing a stark reminder of what happens when nations collide |
Laszlo 23:27 UTC 13 Dec 2007 | best left to allow the locals to turn them into 'fee' payiing attractions Thing is that in the Shortlands there are basically no tourists to pay those fees. I haven't been to Ballalae Island but saw lots of planes and other war relics on other islands of this group. I didn't find them surreal. Many were in great condition, and supposedly forbidden to remove/damage. But I guess money talks in a country as poor as the Solomons. And the Shortlands are very remote and far from central government control. Selling them to collectors is still slightly better than what the Indonesians did with the war relics on Morotai Island (also with no tourists to pay fees), that were simply cut up and sold as scrap metal. | 1
hardnosethehighway 01:14 UTC 14 Dec 2007 | globaltourist wrote: I just wondered if travellers on this board - indeed across the Pacific, thought that the wrecks in situ were not only a rather surreal sight, but were best left to allow the locals to turn them into 'fee' paying attractions, as well as providing a stark reminder of what happens when nations collide It's nobody's business but the people of the Solomons-specifically the inhabitants of that particular island group. Tylan is that rarest of human beings-born with his head up his ass. He and his band of robbers are just that-nothing but thieves looking to make money by selling artifacts to those who glorify war. Lock the bastard up/throw away the key let him stew for a few years then make him pay an astoundingly heavy fine to leave and forbid him from ever returning. Edited by: hardnosethehighway | 2
ozziegiraffe 10:31 UTC 14 Dec 2007 | I think this might explain the article I posted here. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1519581&tstart=45 Obviously there is another side to the story. Hopefully, with the change in leadership pending in Solomon Islands in the next week, there may be movement with Solomon Airlines, and tourists may at last get to the Shortlands. | 3
Laszlo 15:16 UTC 14 Dec 2007 | Tylan is that rarest of human beings-born with his head up his ass. He and his band of robbers are just that-nothing but thieves Read the story more carefully again hardnose. Tylan is NOT the thief - rather the opposite! He was exposing this case of removing war-relics for sale. It may well be that this illegal (?) operation involved some Somoloms Bigman, which is why those exposing it were jailed. | 4