EASTER ISLAND Words fail me here ..... after a 5 hour flight from Santiago heading across the pacific ocean we spotted a tiny speck out of the window as the plane began it´s descent. The whole plane load of passengers seemed to be in competition to see the first of the giant heads (Moai) that the island is famous for. After a breathtaking landing (the landing strip starts at the edge of the ocean) we disembarked and headed for customs passing our first of many Moai. Once we had cleared customs and picked up our bags we were greeted by Roger from Camping Mihinoa, who placed flower leis around our necks and took us to his jeep. The campsite and rooms were in a great setting (the best on the Island in our opinion) right at the edge of the ocean where you can watch the tremendous surf crash against the cliff face. Keen to explore, we walked 10mins along the coast road into Hanga Roa, the capital, where 95% of the population live. The common polynesian links with Tahiti were evident everywhere but in a much less tourist orientated way. Headed straight to the little port to see our first `heads`- and take the first of many photos.
The heat was incredible and the skies very blue - but we headed off along the coast a little further to visit two sites with ahu and moai. Amazing structures and one of the moai here had a large red topknot on its head with the eyes also intact.
Watched our first Easter Island sunset from the campsite - phenomenal - as the skies just streteched endlessly on the horizon. It was also fantasitc seeing the stars without all the usual light pollution..just like a vast black starry blanket.
Used the next couple of days to start walking to see some of the key sites. On our first day we headed up to see the Rano Kau crater and the Orongo ceremonial village. From our vantage point you could see just how small and isolated the island actually is. On day 2 we headed along a coastal track to Ahu Tepu - to visit another moai site, although this site along with a number of others on the island, had left the moai where they had fallen during the islanders wars 4 centuries ago. The very long and hot track carried along to Ahu Akivi - 7 heads that are the only moai on the island to face out to sea.
For the next couple of days we used Roger`s black jeep (no questions asked - just you pick up the keys and go!) to tour round the island and see the sites. One of the most amazing places to see was Ranu Raku - the quarry where the moai were sculpted. As you walked around the hill - you could see eyes and noses literally peering at you out of the rock. There were also heads that had been completed, but had never been taken to their final destination.
As we had transport - we decided to watch the sunrise over Ahu Tongariki - the site with the largest number of standing moai (15 in total). Definitely a popular spot, as by the time the sun had risen, there were more people there than during the day! Definitely worth the early start for the beautiful piccies that we got.
Also walked up to the highest point on the island - Maunga Terevaki - to see the breathtaking views.
An absolutely phenomenal week spent here.....
The heat was incredible and the skies very blue - but we headed off along the coast a little further to visit two sites with ahu and moai. Amazing structures and one of the moai here had a large red topknot on its head with the eyes also intact.
Watched our first Easter Island sunset from the campsite - phenomenal - as the skies just streteched endlessly on the horizon. It was also fantasitc seeing the stars without all the usual light pollution..just like a vast black starry blanket.
Used the next couple of days to start walking to see some of the key sites. On our first day we headed up to see the Rano Kau crater and the Orongo ceremonial village. From our vantage point you could see just how small and isolated the island actually is. On day 2 we headed along a coastal track to Ahu Tepu - to visit another moai site, although this site along with a number of others on the island, had left the moai where they had fallen during the islanders wars 4 centuries ago. The very long and hot track carried along to Ahu Akivi - 7 heads that are the only moai on the island to face out to sea.
For the next couple of days we used Roger`s black jeep (no questions asked - just you pick up the keys and go!) to tour round the island and see the sites. One of the most amazing places to see was Ranu Raku - the quarry where the moai were sculpted. As you walked around the hill - you could see eyes and noses literally peering at you out of the rock. There were also heads that had been completed, but had never been taken to their final destination.
As we had transport - we decided to watch the sunrise over Ahu Tongariki - the site with the largest number of standing moai (15 in total). Definitely a popular spot, as by the time the sun had risen, there were more people there than during the day! Definitely worth the early start for the beautiful piccies that we got.
Also walked up to the highest point on the island - Maunga Terevaki - to see the breathtaking views.
An absolutely phenomenal week spent here.....
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