Paradise Island - Easter Island

Easter Island or Rapa Nui as it is known locally has been our dream destination for so long and our main motivation for coming to South America.

Having booked some time ago we couldn't remember what accommodation we'd arranged so were pleasantly surprised to find we had our own little self contained cabana (bungalow) for our stay here.

It really is a beautiful Island with a clear blue, pollution free ocean,stunningly bright flowers, hot sun and a laid back way of life.  There is no sea port on the Island and no ships are allowed in the surrounding waters in order to preserve the unique marine life so the only way here is by plane.  The Island is one if the most remote places in the world.

Almost the whole island is a national park with restored and unrestored Moai (statues) everywhere.  Everywhere tells the history and culture around the Moai traditions and the subsequent bird man culture.  The iconic Moai stand proud.  Some stand alone, some in groups and some seem to walk down from the mountains.  There are even some still  carved into the mountains reflecting a sudden and violent end to the culture.  Some have a structure on their head which is not a hat as commonly thought but is a top knot which was the common way of wearing their hair.  All are different but mainly male although there are a few female Moai and an example of one sits in the local museum. They are all different sizes but the average weight is 18 tons, but one  half carved in the quarry is 180 tons. The most impressive were the 15 Moai standing in a line and those half burried in the quarry where only the head remains above ground as the rest of the body is below ground due to the effects of nature.

The other joy of Easter Island, is chilling in an ocean side cafe, watching the surfers on the waves and drinking a pisco sour as the bright orange sun sets on this beautiful island.