Chile
A tiny island, lying 3700km off the coast of its nation, Chile, Easter Island or Rapa Nui is the most isolated inhabited island in the world and one of the most remote and mystical places. Filled with more than 600 giant moai statues Easter Island is unlike anywhere on earth.
Formed 750,000 years ago after a series of volcanic eruptions and today volcanoes dot the landscape this tiny island . This tiny island is filled with more than 600 giant moai statues and is mostly devoid of trees. It is one big archaeological site with moai, petroglyphs and other ruins scattered around the island. The island’s historic and natural sites are protected and collectively designated as Rapa Nui National Park.
As we made our way around the island we explored the ancient abandoned village of Orongo and the volcanic crater lake of Rano Kau.
We continued around the island to Anakena beach, more like Tahiti than Chile as we stood amongst some of the enormous stone moai that filled the island.
We explored the inexplicable mori statues at Tongariki standing with their backs to the sea. It is Easter Island’s largest monument with 15 moai statues, the tallest measuring 9 meters with a weight of 86 tons.
Walking through the quarry (Rano Raraku) that were were made thousands of years ago I stood and wondered how it was all achieved, taking 90 tonne monoliths from the sides of volcanoes to create a spell binding archaeological puzzle.
Totally amazing and maybe some of the beauty is in the islands isolation, could have stayed longer.
Therese O'Leary 