Miguel and Raquel hanging from the moving train
A young Portuguese couple travelling the world taking perilous stunt pictures for their Instagram account has come under criticism after they took a picture hanging precariously from a Sri Lankan train over a bridge spanning a 24-meter drop.
Miguel and Raquel who go around the world taking pictures to feed their Instagram account of 200,000 followers have come under fire on social media. Daily Mail first carried it as a news item.
Raquel says the train was not travelling fast and as proof she points to her hair unruffled by the wind. The couple says it was not a risky shot as the train was moving very slow. Trains usually travel at a snail’s pace on this stretch as there are bends, and also for the passengers to take in the spectacular scenery surrounding the precipice.
The backdrop of the image in question is the Nine Arch Bridge, surrounded by rush green tea estates and verdant woodlands in the Indian Ocean island. The bridge which was opened in 1921 has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years.
When the British began constructing the bridge the First World War had begun and steel assigned to the project was rerouted to British war efforts. The construction is generally attributed to a local builder, P. K. Appuhami, who led the crew completing it with stones, bricks and cement.
Among dozens of responses in the couple’s blog, there is a Portuguese comment going on to say, “I do not see anything stupid. May be something irresponsible, but a very good photo.” The picture of the couple who seems to be very much in love, has got more nearly 40,000 likes.
Someone else says, “Slow or not this is AGAINST THE LAW. You have risked your lives and the lives of other people in that train. You clearly don’t have any respect for the law in Sri Lanka.” Another reader says: “I don’t understand the hate this photo is getting. Great shot. Well done.”
A Sri Lankan reader who believes it to be a Photoshop job says: “More or less looks like a cut and paste done from a communication booth. So, don’t be fooled”.
Another reader says, “Thousands of Sri Lankans are handling worse situations than this. Surprised to see this being the top news in a top news website. In fact, it’s not the couple who made this news public but the newspaper itself.” Quite true, when even major TV channels have stooped to the level of playing Youtube clips to spice up their broadcasts these days.
The couple’s blog also contains many pictures taken in Sigiriya, Galle, Trincomalee, Kosgoda, Uda Walawe and many other scenic places in Sri Lanka. The Instagram account contains dozens of pictures taken near popular tourist landmarks of the world. – newstrails.com
