( Overview
/ Chile and more
One of the local houses (off the ground as at risk from tsunamis)
I’ve always wanted to go to Easter island but never expected it to be anything more than a dream. However,once we had decided we we’re heading to Chile, the dream seemed worth exploring to see if was doable. So, after a flight of 5 (ish) hours, we found ourselves in Rapa Nui/ Isla de Pascua/ Easter Island I. Search of Moai - the stone heads that the island is so famous for.
There are roughly 900 Moai across the island in various conditions, some standing and some still at the quarry ready to be moved out and into position. The average size of the Moai is 13ft high (about the length of an estate car) and 18 tonnes (my body weight after the cruise)
Each Moai was carved in honour of a deceased powerful society member and placed on top of their grave. It is thought that it took 2 years to carve each of the sculptures and then they would be stood upright carvings would be made on their front and backs to show their ‘story’. They would then be ‘walked’ (rocked from side to side) up to 11 miles to their chosen position before being stood on platforms and faced inwards to look over their villages. Once in position they were given eyes and where appropriate pukaos (the top knots) were lifted into place- it should be pointed out that some of these were 13 tonnes too!
We set about exploring as many of the Moai sites as possible, some standing, some toppled over and some still being carved.
Apart from seeing some of the iconic sites, the highlight for me was the quarry. This allowed you to get an insight into how they statues were carved and moved. The biggest Moai on the island is still there having never been moved from its carving place. It measures 69ft (the length of a cricket pitch/ 7 storey high building) and is a sight to behold.
Most of the Moai were pulled down during wars between the different island groups and eventually the practice was stopped.
After they stopped carving Moai, the islanders turned to a different way of thinking and followed the bird man cult / TangAta Manu, on a different part of the island. The bird man competition. Was started at the top of the volcano- Randy Kano, they then jumped off the cliffs, swam to the island to pick up an egg- the first one to arrive back got the virgin and the power. We got to the top of the volcano, but didn’t do anymore than that- too damned high up for diving in for birds eggs!!!
Rapa Nui as an island, is stunning and verdant - which means it rains a lot- but these ‘showers’ are very much welcomed as it’s really humid too (with lots of BIG flying insects!!)- both have us have down more than our fair share of girly screaming here.
Thankfully M’s continued Duolingo practice has progressed and we’re now able to ask for for a camiseta - so I’ve got a really nice t-shirt 😉
There are roughly 900 Moai across the island in various conditions, some standing and some still at the quarry ready to be moved out and into position. The average size of the Moai is 13ft high (about the length of an estate car) and 18 tonnes (my body weight after the cruise)
Each Moai was carved in honour of a deceased powerful society member and placed on top of their grave. It is thought that it took 2 years to carve each of the sculptures and then they would be stood upright carvings would be made on their front and backs to show their ‘story’. They would then be ‘walked’ (rocked from side to side) up to 11 miles to their chosen position before being stood on platforms and faced inwards to look over their villages. Once in position they were given eyes and where appropriate pukaos (the top knots) were lifted into place- it should be pointed out that some of these were 13 tonnes too!
We set about exploring as many of the Moai sites as possible, some standing, some toppled over and some still being carved.
Apart from seeing some of the iconic sites, the highlight for me was the quarry. This allowed you to get an insight into how they statues were carved and moved. The biggest Moai on the island is still there having never been moved from its carving place. It measures 69ft (the length of a cricket pitch/ 7 storey high building) and is a sight to behold.
Most of the Moai were pulled down during wars between the different island groups and eventually the practice was stopped.
After they stopped carving Moai, the islanders turned to a different way of thinking and followed the bird man cult / TangAta Manu, on a different part of the island. The bird man competition. Was started at the top of the volcano- Randy Kano, they then jumped off the cliffs, swam to the island to pick up an egg- the first one to arrive back got the virgin and the power. We got to the top of the volcano, but didn’t do anymore than that- too damned high up for diving in for birds eggs!!!
Rapa Nui as an island, is stunning and verdant - which means it rains a lot- but these ‘showers’ are very much welcomed as it’s really humid too (with lots of BIG flying insects!!)- both have us have down more than our fair share of girly screaming here.
Thankfully M’s continued Duolingo practice has progressed and we’re now able to ask for for a camiseta - so I’ve got a really nice t-shirt 😉
It’s a bit rough!
Our first sight of Moai
Jxs wanted to get some idea of perspective- that’s me in the red t-shirt taking the previous pic
Tonariki- probably the most iconic Moai!
Another perspective picture
Arty head 1:15
The intrepid adventurers
Moai at the quarry
The 69ft sculpture at the quarry
Another perspective shot
Anakena beach Moai
Anakena beach
Bathing beauties 🤣
We climbed the volcano!
The interior of the volcano- absolutely amazing!
Most of the shoreline was like this, filled with volcanic rock caves
Single Moai in the middle of nowhere- if you look closely you can see all the concrete repairs
These Moai are the only ones which look out to see
…but they are at the top of a hill- so do they look over the land really?
MSC cruise liner behind one of the Hanga Roa Moai
Different ages of Hanga Roa moai
Hanga Roa Moai
There were so many stray dogs on the island and all seemed like appointed trustees of the relics
I loves a graveyard. The one in Hanga Roa was magnificent and full of so many beautiful remembrances of loved ones
The local kids just hanging around
Safe bathing and surfing in Hanga Roa
Don’t talk to Moira about how far we walked to get this picture
One of the Moai in Hanga Roa
Ahh Akivi- the pukaeo quarry was a little underwhelming
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