Il sun ha visitato, apparentemente da un elicottero, Neverland... e la descrive come un luogo desolato e abbandonato.
questa è la famosa stazione del treno... evidentemente in stato di abbandono
questo l'articolo:
IT was once a magical fantasy land for children — its 2,800 acres boasting a theme park, zoo, cinema and railway.
Now Michael Jackson’s Neverland has gone from dream park to ghost town.
The fairground lights which used to flash as the big wheel whirled no longer twinkle. The car racing track is eerily silent.
Neverland, which cost £11.4million in 1987, is deserted.
Our pictures show how the areas around the animal enclosures have become overgrown, while the fairground rides stand motionless.
Elaborate floral displays have wilted, leaving bare earth and stones. The exotic animals — except for a few crocodiles and a pair of giraffes — have gone. “Maintained” by Jacko’s family and friends, the ranch no longer lets fans in. The star himself has not been here since July 2005.
Jacko’s Californian estate was once the ultimate symbol of pop star excess. But he had to lock the gates after racking up debts reportedly totalling £130million.
Ghost town ... Neverland
Ghost town ... Neverland
Pictures: SPLASH
His troubles came to a head with the child molestation trial of 2005. After accusations by young cancer sufferer Gavin Arvizo in November 2003, 150 police swooped.
Finding toys, games and snaps of boys, they confiscated computers and documents. Jackson, now living in Dubai, was cleared of all charges — but his career went into freefall.
Most of Neverland’s animals — including old pal Bubbles the chimp — are now in sanctuaries.
Heyday... our pictures show how the magnificent estate has fallen into ruin
Heyday... our pictures show how the magnificent estate has fallen into ruin
Baba the elephant went to a private owner and the horses were given to a children’s riding programme.
In May last year Jacko’s cash crisis saw estate staff go without wages for two weeks. His father, Joseph, reportedly had to fly in to reassure them they would be paid.
Now only a dozen from the once 69-strong workforce are left.
It's zoo late ... a giraffe is one of the only animals left on barren, untended grounds
It's zoo late ... a giraffe is one of the only animals left on barren, untended grounds
One ex-employee said: “I’m not sure Michael realises the animals are gone — because he treats the staff like cattle.”
The estate no longer admits visitors.
The Sun found just four fans keeping vigil at the entrance, now manned by one security guard. Once an army of guards kept watch on the hundreds of fans from all over the world.
Locals are glad those days are gone. During Neverland’s heyday, neighbours would hear classical music by Wagner echoing from the ranch — ending with the eerie recorded sound of kids laughing.
One teacher at a school next door recalled: “It was creepy — you’d hear it over and over.”
It has emerged that a neighbouring Native American tribe are hoping to buy Neverland for £20million — to turn it into a casino.
But Jacko’s lawyer Brian Oxman said: “Michael still owns it and he doesn’t want to part with it.”
Additional reporting: CAROLINE VIRR
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006560064,00.html
nulla di così interessante
a parte il fatto che si dice che Neverland appartenga ancora a Michael e che per ora non ha intenzione di vendere. E che un Nativo americano ha fatto un offerta per 20 milioni di dollari per comprare il terreno e trasformare tutto in un casinò