Tiare Pacific Hanga Roa

... multiplied and developed a culture very complex, and organized into 10 main groups. This involved strips of land that run from the coast to the interior, each of which was used in a highly orderly way, where the coastal shore was reserved for the ceremonial centres and high ranking groups. common families lived in the interior of the island, and there they constructed ...

... was left to slog back up the hill!

The next day, we decided to climb to the highest point of the island, which is another extinct volcano, and hired horses to achieve our goal. There was only the two of us plus our guides aged 12 and 13 years old, one of whom rode bareback! My horse was exceedingly slow - I really believe that I could have walked faster and at the last climb she refused to go any farther - I needed to get off and drag her up to the top. Jim meanwhile, had ...

... sites and ones we wanted to see again. We experienced sunrise at Tongariki - eating our granola in front of 15 massive stone moai with the sun turning grey, pink and blue in the background was unreal. The best part about this was that it felt as if we had the whole island to ourselves, not another soul or tourist in sight. You really get a chance to see the places for what they are and imagine how incredible they would have been in their time.

Another stop ...

... the sea. It was then time to return to the ship, although the sea conditions had become somewhat more favourable they still were choppy, but once back on board we set sail for our next stop of 'Pitcairn' - which requires another 2 days sailing. As we were rather late getting back on board we decided this evening to dine up in the buffet before watching the show which was a compilation of the juggler who we had seen earlier in the week along with the 'West End' singer Annette Yeo.

... done too with Orca. They took us out on a boat to Anchor Reef and dropped us into 25m of warm, blue, clear water. Loads of fish, eels spiny sea urchins (unfortunately) and a concrete Moai that has been sunk specially for tourists. At the end of the day though the real reason for going to Isla de Pascua is for the Moai. There are loads of them, as well as many caves and great views of dormant volcanos that ...

... to take me in but quickly added that she would not take me back and once we were at the beach she would want to be alone, abit surprised I confirmed what she said and we were off. Got to a mangificent crystal clear beach with overarching cliffs behind with no more than 5 other people there. Had a quick swim, then layed on the beach a while admiring the sea when all of a sudden a troop of 10 wild horses galloped onto the beach, slowed down into a pack and then just ...

... no kidding!!!! we rode back to the guy's house and his mates w**e th**e, they all togeth** prepared the fish and the fire place. Piti was showing off a lit bit (actually a lot) trying to sell his wild-Rapa Nui-macho image and it did work sometimes until we came to the fish. He was trying to scare us with the fish, telling us we had to eat ev**ything including the guts.....I think he did not know what to be a Galician is about, I was trying to explain that we eat ev ...

... to you all at work - probably not what you want to hear. Well off to Tahiti later (think Ade is well excited - he keeps singing "Tahhhhiiiitttttiiii" think you probably need to be here to get the full effect) - I´m looking forward to doing not a lot - with no guide book we have no idea of what to do in the area - I´ve heard there are beaches - lots of them and have some dodgy tan lines that need sorting. Thanks for the messages great to hear from you all. xxxx

... back to my hostel and along the way I could see many kids, dressed up in costumes for Halloween. I went to bed as soon as I reached the hostel. 01/11/2008 (SAT) Lazy day for me today. My flight back to Santiago de ...

... the most stunning ahu, the Ahu Tongariki. This is by far the largest ahu (fifteen moai in a row) with the ocean and cliffs forming a dazzling backdrop.    Breathtaking stuff indeed.  We then crossed the island, passing by guava plantations and grazing fields with cows and horses, to the northern shore where we visited an ancient ceremonial site with a round magnetic stone which locals called the 'navel of the Earth' (when you put your hands on it, you can ...