Iorana from Rapa Nui
Trip Start
Jan 10, 2008
1
8
38
Trip End
Apr 22, 2008
Easter Island,
Chile
Saturday, January 26, 2008
It was discovered by Dutch explorers in 1722 on, take a guess, Easter Sunday. The island is triangular in shape & only 63 sq. miles with 1 village of 3,791 residents.
Easter Island is famous for its 887 impreesive Moai statues. The statues were carved from hardened volcanic ash from 3 volcanos & erected along the entire coastline. They stand with their backs to the sea & are 13 ft. high & up to 20 tons each.
Anthropologists believe the island was settled as part of the great wave of Polynesian emigration since the first inhabitants arrived 400-700 a.d. The oldest Moai dates to 700 a.d.
Where did its people come from? Who built the hundreds of giant monoliths? Why were they built? How did this once tropical palm-forested island become so barren? These questions have puzzled visitors since the arrivals of the first European explorers (Thor Heyerdahl on the Kon Tiki was one).
Life in the city of Hanga Roa is slow-paced & relaxed. 8 of us negotiated a mini-van to take us around the island, stopping at numerous Moai along the way & the beautiful sandy beaches. We took 3 hours, $15. each. The same Princess tour was $159. each. Of course, that included lunch.
We are 2 hrs. ahead of Calif. time & depart about 6 pm. Check out our webcam on the Pacific Princess.
Enroute to Pitcairn island next.
Linda
Comments
World Globe Follower
Hi Linda: Love your travel blogs, especially since my best friend is on the Pacific with you. If you come across a tall blond from Canada that will be her!!! I will continue to follow your adventures. Penny