A Very Bad Tourist~ Oy!

[Trip]

A 'Bloody Idiot,' me thinks, what do you think?
Was he punished sufficiently, or did he slide a bit?


A Finnish tourist who chipped an earlobe off an ancient Moai on Easter Island is being allowed to go home after paying a $17,000 fine and agreeing not to return for three years, police said Tuesday.

Worst Mistake My Life~ A Finnish tourist who was arrested after chipping an earlobe off a statue on Easter Island is being allowed to go home. Marko Kulju, right, paid a $17,000 fine, wrote a public apology and agreed not to return to the Chilean territory for three years. And he got to keep both of his ears -- which one Easter Island official wanted in retribution.

Marko Kulju, 26, deposited the money into a bank account overseen by the court that handled his case, the Easter Island prosecutor's office said in a statement.

[ready2gonow]

Me thinks he got off easy! What an idiot!

[VTJen]

I just can't believe people have so little respect when they trave...I have seen it, I just can't believe it.

Also, I would have banned him for life

[Donna]

I think I'm missing something here, why did he do that?? I just don't get it..

[Delft]

I guess those set of headlights were set on dimm............Idiot.

[Phil&Liz]

Sheesh ! He got off easy.

Here in Texas, you get arrested for certain actions while visiting the Alamo!

I saw one tourist actually go up and sit in the window of the Alamo for a photo op. He was cuffed and taken away!


Phil & Liz

[Luanne Russo]

I also want to know why he would do something so stupid. It makes no sense.

I also agree he got off to easy!!

[bahamamomma]

Something to think about ........... was the perpetrator of the crime actually seen chipping away at the ear? OR......... was he merely touching (which he shouldn't have been) and a small piece crumbled in his hand.....

just something to think about.........

[Donna]

You're right mama, it could of been an accident?? I would sure hope so.

[katlady]

I'm breaking out my basic economics here. These statue represent "inelastic supply" meaning once there gone there won't be anymore. He is luck to have his ears. " And he got to keep both of his ears -- which one Easter Island official wanted in retribution." My question is why both ears he only chipped one from the statue. He could be like Van Gogh. Plus the should have fined him in Euros they could have got more money.

[Nicnme]

Originally Posted by bahamamomma

Something to think about ........... was the perpetrator of the crime actually seen chipping away at the ear? OR......... was he merely touching (which he shouldn't have been) and a small piece crumbled in his hand.....

just something to think about.........

He was seen actually chipping it off with an ice pick in the report I read :evil:
After thinkin this kid is an idiot, I got to thinking that perhaps he had a "buyer" at home for a piece of history. As a kid that could have been a lot of money and where did he get the $$$ for the fine anyway??

[Donna]

[color=darkblueYea, that was a lot of $ to pay that fine??color]

[mehawk]

If he was purposely defacing the statue, then, yes, he should have paid more in some way.

[balabusta]

When travelling in another country, one has to have respect for their culture, which includes art, statues, flora, fauna, and most of all manners!
No money can replace the disrespect this Finnish tourist had in damaging a piece of artwork. You are guest in another another country and you should never forget that you must abide by their rules and regulations!