Easter Island

The flight from Iquitos to Easter Island was 6 hours but we had spectacular views of the Andes. When we arrived, the pilot was able to circle the island several times at low altitude affording us bird eye views of the beautiful and stunning landscape. The island is only 65 square miles so it doesn't take long to circle in a 757.




Easter Island is just over two thousand miles west of Chile and the eastern most Polynesian island. We were met by three archeologist: Edmundo Edwards, Claudio Cristino, and Patricia Vargas. It was fascinating visiting the sites and listening to the people that have been studying the Island for their entire professional life. They discussed all the various theories behind the decline of the people and the deforestation of the island. Fun to hear their disagreements and arguments.

We visited Ahu Tahai first where we saw our first moai (giant stone heads) and learned about the history of the island and people.


From there we set across the island to Rano Raraku (the quarry). The quarry might be my favorite spot on the island.





It was a short trip to Tangariki where there are 15 moai in a row. This site was destroyed by a tsunami in 1961. Claudio was the lead archeologist responsible for restoring the site.


After lunch, we continued around the island (bumped and bounced around might be a more apt description) to the Orongo crater and the Ranu Kau, the site of the Bird Man Cult. The Bird Man Cult evolved after the original religion, ancestor worship, and was a warrior based cult. Being selected the Bird Man was considered a great honor but, take it from me, I don't think it is an honor any of us would care to have. After a year of solitary living, the bird man was sacrificed. Along the rim of the crater were about 40 low houses made entirely of slate. Very low, maybe 4' feet tall with small openings about 18" square - no windows. The view from the rim is beyond description. Hopefully, the photo's will convey the beauty.





We returned to the hotel for a shower, a quick drink, political discussions in the bar before meeting for dinner. Before dinner, Edmundo, Claudio, and Patricia each gave a short talk and then we were treated to a Polynesian dance. Paula fell in love with one comely young dancer (Paula is reading over my shoulder and she said "Comely??? He was Hunky!"). Anyway, Paula ended up on the dance floor (not by choice). Again, I think only photo's can truly display the moment.


This morning we had an early start. The airport in Rarotonga, Cook Islands notified us that the airport employees wanted off today in order to attend church. We have to land before 10:00 am to allow the airport workers time to get to church. We took off about 6:45 am and should arrive in Rarotonga by 9:30 am. It is a 7-1/2 hour flight but we gain 5 hours.

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Location:Chile