Photo by Angela Lansbury, 2015, copyright.
All rights reserved.
Problems
Malta's famous arch has collapsed into the sea. What can photographers and tourists do now?
Answers
This is not a new problem. The same thing happened to an arch in Australia. If you already have a picture, even if you don't, you can take a picture of the remains of the old arch and compare it with one showing the arch as it was.
The arch in Malta is one of the landmarks on the lesser known and smaller island of Gozo. The only money-making enterprises I could see were charges for car parks and the restaurant overlooking the adjacent blue pool, which is still there.
The restaurant overlooking the pool beside the fallen arch on the island of Gozo, Malta.
Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.
Several possible solutions:
1 Build a reproduction of the old arch nearby in a theme park for people to be photographed on the reproduction.
2 Build a Malta in miniature showing the arch as it was.
3 Encase the whole thing in protective glass with concrete supports and buttresses and install a fake piece in the middle, with windows into the original layers. (This would cost a lot. It would also destroy the 'natural' feel. But you can attract visitors to the Grand Canyon and other landmarks in the USA and China and worldwide with bridges and landmarks installed this century or last century.
4 Install an exhibition of before and after photos, from professional and mature photographers, local people and tourists.
5 Recreate the arch with either a ladder and viewpoint, or walkway up a slope to one side at the back. Use the same or another artificial arch with a waterslide into a swimming pool.
6 Create a last landmarks exhibition with all the fallen arches and other landmarks of the local area through the ages and similar items worldwide.
7 Run a competition for reproductions of the arch, made from rocks, plastic, plasticine, Playdough, toothpicks, lolly sticks, cereal boxes, plaster of Paris (with a sponsor or two from toy companies or craft companies). Show some of the original in an exhibition and photos of the others.
8 Create a model of the arch in a children's playground with safety barriers and a slide.
9 Run an annual event when a beach fair is held, with prizes for the best tee-shirt featuring the arch.
10 Make a local rock cake or meringue in the shape of the arch or a flat cake with a photo of the arch in edible icing horizontally, or vertically.
Stories
The similar arch in Australia fell. It was a popular walk along the top from the nearby cliff, out over the sea for the view and selfie photos. I heard that a couple had got stranded on the end. They had to be rescued.
What a drama. Not knowing if the rest of the arch would collapse. No food or toilet. Unable to get back to home or work.
Real Stories and Fiction
The story was nationwide sensation. According to the person who told me, this event caused more problems for the people involved. (I was unable to find the facts on the internet - so this is just a rumour. However, as the saying goes, why let the truth get in the way of a good story: Here's a drama I or you could use in a short story, or novel:
This is how the Chinese Whispers version goes. The couple were supposed to be at work. Their employers did not know the people were off work - people who not at home sick, or at work, or out delivering or making business calls. (One company or two - if you are writing a novel - your choice.
Their respective families did not know the couple were not at work. At least one of the couple was married, and the spouse saw them on the TV news. One of the couple may have lost a relationship, a marriage or reputation.
You could make this into a short comedy. A short joke or anecdote. A short story or novel.
You could write a tragedy. A short story or a novel.
Or a cautionary tale. Safety for travellers.
Tips
You will find advice on many sites for hiking and climbing areas. Most of the advice applies to a long stroll along flat ground and tourist spots as much as remote areas. The rules are helpful whether you are walking in the woods, the countryside, or along a clifftop or beach.
Notice what the devices for evacuating an aircraft include: something to support you in the sea, a whistle and a light. A lifeboat has extra items. But if you are on your own you need food such as Kendal Mint cake. You would not take chocolate covered mint cake in sunshine because it would get sticky. I once read that Hershey chocolate was developed for soldiers in hot countries who needed a chocolate bar which would not melt in the pocket or backpack.
1 Always take a phone, and a charger.
2 Leave details of where you are going, and/ or photograph your route. You might take photos you would not make public, but which will be on your website or in the network 'clould' if emergency services or family are looking for you.
3 Carry food and drink.
4 Take clothing for hot and cold weather, in the hot day and cold night.
5 Wear or carry something you can wave or use as a signalling device.
6 And use the toilet before not after taking a long walk. You never know how long it will be before you get back.
7 Guides off a trail should have walkie talkies to keep track of the group.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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