There
is still no consensus as to the origin of the first inhabitants
of Easter Island. Various theories
explain the wonder
of Rapa Nui, also called Te Pito Te Henua, "navel
of the world" by the islanders. Some argue that its
first settlers came from Polynesia and others are certain
that their origin is South America. In any case, the men
who built the moai were part of a hierarchical and very
religious culture that wanted to raise its ancestors to
the level of gods, erecting these gigantic figures carved
from the volcanoes. The uniqueness of the islands inhabitants
and traditions, the transparency of its waters, its gentle
geography and white beaches attract hundreds of travelers
and adventures from all over the world, who find here
a paradise where travelers may SCUBA
dive, explore caves, tour the archaeology
of the area, walk and horseback ride.
Stay at the first class Explora Rapa Nui Lodge, popular Hotel Hanga Roa, Hotel Iorana, Hotel Taha Tai or established Hotel Iorana. Enjoy access to the beach and the surrounding
landscape with comfortable facilities and restaurant serving
local specialties.
While there visit
Rano Kau, the biggest volcano on the island, which has
an enormous crater that is now a fresh water lake covered
by floating green fields of totora reeds. Perched in this
location stands the ruined village of Orongo, with oval
buildings built out of overlapping stone slabs. Over the
cliffs, an amazing string of petroglyphs tells the story
of the "bird man". At
Vinapu find Ahu Tahira which contains a wall of perfectly
carved and fitted stone blocks that is strikingly similar
to the Inca walls in Peru. The sacred place of Ahu Vaihu
consists of 8 Moais pulled down from their Ahu as an example
of violent statue overthrowing of the Late Period’s
cannibals wars. The Moais were cut from volcanic rock
at Rano Raraku. The 150 figures that were left here, in
all stages of completion, are mute witnesses of the mystery.
By the crater’s south slope is the "Road of
the Moai": seventy standing sentinels, embedded to
their shoulders in grass, leading the way to the quarry
inside the crater.
Ahu
Tongariki, the biggest Ahu on the island was restored
in 1992 after a 1960 tidal wave washed the statues dozen
of meters away from their original setting. Ahu Tongariki
consists of fifteen standing statues and several petroglyphs
of different motifs cut into the flat stone outcrops:
a turtle with a human face, a tuna fish, a birdman just
to name a few. Motu means island in the local language
and Motu Kao Kao are solid fingers of rocks arising abruptly
from the ocean and creating deep cliffs (25 - 50 Mt) where
abundant life has developed. Of these the most remarkable
is Kao Kao at 70 mt a.s.l. and 50 Mt to the bottom with
perfect visibility. The other motus: Nui, Iti and Manotiri
are also a great beauty.
Anakena
and Ovahe are both splendid beaches that offer a good
chance for diving between giant corals nestled over white
sparkling sand. After diving, suntan and relax on the
beach. Other opportunities for diving are in Omohi, Papa
Tekena, Poike, Vaihu and Vinapu.
Contact
us if you would like to make Easter Island a part
of your next Chile
Adventure.
