Saturday, April 15, 2006
Rapa Nui
Thursday we arrived in Rapa Nui, Easter Island. The flight was uneventful but tiresome because it was a night flight. We immediately liked the island, its cool breeze, laidback people and free running horses. There is a beautiful contrast between the smooth hills and the eroded cliffs.
Yesterday we took a guided tour of the island. We were not sure of the correctness of our guide’s explanations, but then no one really knows what has happened on this island. It is truly one of the remaining mysteries of the planet. This mysteriousness makes the moai, the giant statues, all the more impressive! We will rent a car to explore the island at our own pace over the coming days.
Yesterday also, we went swimming in the ocean and relaxed on the beautiful beach Anakena that has its own collection of royal moai. And, oh yes, let’s not forget to mention that the food and the Chilean wine are excellent!
Today we went to visit the anthropology museum, which has some interesting exhibits (like a female moai). On the way over there we passed a beautiful cemetary. Some of its tombstones combine Christian elements with elements from the local cults (like the Birdman cult).
Yesterday we took a guided tour of the island. We were not sure of the correctness of our guide’s explanations, but then no one really knows what has happened on this island. It is truly one of the remaining mysteries of the planet. This mysteriousness makes the moai, the giant statues, all the more impressive! We will rent a car to explore the island at our own pace over the coming days.
Yesterday also, we went swimming in the ocean and relaxed on the beautiful beach Anakena that has its own collection of royal moai. And, oh yes, let’s not forget to mention that the food and the Chilean wine are excellent!
Today we went to visit the anthropology museum, which has some interesting exhibits (like a female moai). On the way over there we passed a beautiful cemetary. Some of its tombstones combine Christian elements with elements from the local cults (like the Birdman cult).
