C H I L E 2 0 0 6
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ISLA DE PASQUA
We spent four nights on the lovely Isla de Pasqua (“Rapa Nui in the native language). We stayed at the Explora Lodge ( www.explora.com ), an all-inclusive property similar to the Explora lodges we previously stayed at in Torres del Paine and the Atacama Desert.
The native inhabitants of Rapa Nui are Polynesian closely related to inhabitants of other Polynesian islands such as New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii. Rapa Nui is the most isolated piece of land on Earth. That is, it is the farthest from any other body of land. The first Westerner to come across Rapa Nui was Dutch explorer, Jacob Roggeveen, who discovered the island on Easter Sunday 1722.
During our first afternoon we went to the quarry where the incredible stone statues (“moai”) were fashioned. We learned how they were carved and how and why they were moved from the quarry high on a mountain down to the flats below. It was simply amazing and a wonderful way to spend Valentine’s Day.
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Here's an
overview map |
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A self-photo upon arrival (we each have on a fragrant lei) |
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An overview of the quarry where partially completed moai still remain |
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A crater lake on the volcano behind the quarry |
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Lindy near a moai (gives you some perspective as to the size of these carvings) |
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Lindy and Guide YoYo in front of the head of a moai still in the quarry |
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Ed and Lindy by two moai located near the quarry; these moai are carved from lapilli tuff |
Our second day on the island (15 February) we went for a very long hike up Volcano Rano Raraku and then viewed a group of 15 moai. Spectacular! Afterwards, we headed to a rocky beach from which we enjoyed a delicious lunch. Later in the day, we drove into the island’s only town, Hanga Roa to observe some of the annual festival activities held each year in February. We were lucky to view the Banana Race. Young men (including some of the Explora guides) wear traditional garb (which isn’t much), decorate themselves with body paint and then participate in a relay race during which each man carries 20 kilos of bananas for one kilometer and then passes them off to the next runner, with each team having 8 participants. It was wonderful. Ladies, you’re really going to love these photographs! After the Banana Race, we spent the balance of the day at Ahu Akivi & Tahai Parks.
RANO RARAKU & 15 MOAI
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A view of the island from Rano Raraku |
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Our first glimpse of the 15 Moai |
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A closer view |
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The center Moai has a head ornament |
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Our picnic spot on the rocks |
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The waves hammering the shore |
BANANA RACE
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Getting ready |
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YoYo, our Explora guia, in traditional costume |
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These men are waiting for their teammates and their turn to race with the bananas |
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The first hand-off |
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More hand-offs |
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The final corner (Note: This fellow is running barefoot!) |
AHU AKIVI & TAHAI
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Our Guia,
Uri, as we begin |
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Seven Moai (Note: The small stones around the platform represent children) |
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A closer look at these amazing statues |
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Uri and Ed inside a cavern in the park |
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A view of the ocean as seen from inside the cavern |
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Lindy crawling out of the entrance to the cavern |
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Our next site |
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This is a very special moai.
It has both a head ornament and stone eyes. |
On our third day on the island our group went for a leisurely walk to a small beach where we enjoyed the sea and had lunch. During the early evening, we went into town to see the Carnival, a wonderful celebration where all the natives on the island participate in contests, dancing and, in general, have a great time. We finished the daylight hours in Orango Park near Volcano Rano Kau.
MORNING ACTIVITIES
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A Moai lying near the beach |
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Lindy enjoying a cerveza |
CARNIVAL
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Individuals
are gathering |
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We weren't the only ones taking photo's |
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A beautiful child ready for
the procession to count participants |
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Finishing touches on her costume |
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The yellow man is playing
music for dancing during the processional |
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These young girls dance
together (Note: Their costumes are made from chicken feathers) |
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Beautiful and elaborate garb! |
ORANGO PARK
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Welcome to the park |
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A view of
the crater of |
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Traditional stone housing |
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A rock carving with incredible detail |
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Another beautiful rock carving |
We spent the next day (Friday, 17 February) exploring the town and tiny island on our own. On our final morning on the island (Saturday, 18 February), we opted to return to Orango Park and we also visited the Anakena site.
ORANGO PARK
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There used
to be a contest where |
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A view of Hanga Roa from Orango |
ANAKENA
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Welcome to Anakena! |
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A first glimpse of the moai through the palms |
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The moai (Note: The last one on the right has inset eyes) |
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A closer view |
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Adios a Isla de Pasqua |
All in all, a wonderful experience! If you’re interested in exploring this beautiful island, we encourage you to do so during the February festival because it’s a true treat! Below are some shots of the individuals at Explora who made our trip so terrific.
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Our hosts |
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Guia YoYo and a driver |
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Guia Uri and her nephew |
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Maestro Chef |
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Pastry Chef |
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Receptionist |
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Staff Members |
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Staff Members |
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Our Gang (Mark, Lindy, Ed & Roz) |