Chile – HurricaneMaine

Rapa Nui (More photos)

I went to Abu Tahai for sunset. So beautiful. The cemetery is near the archaeological site.

I rented a bike one day and rode across the center of the island. Harder than I thought and very sunny. But I made it to Anakena Beach, had a swim and some pineapple juice and made the trip back. One way is 1.5 hours stopping for pictures.

Vinapu

There are only so many female maoi statues. This is a drawing of what a complete one would look like.

The column in front is the female statue minus the head. The head however has not been recovered.

The pukao or top knot which is the hair (man bun) and are made of red scoria a lighter weight volcanic rock.

Many platforms were reused especially when resources were scarce. The stones were reused for houses and underneath the platforms was a place for burials or houses.

.irador Rana Kau

This crater is a collapsed volcano and some produce found here grows on some of the slopes of the crater.

The petroglyph on this rock is that of the birdman.

Orongo

This is on the other side of the volcano Crater. There is remains of Rapa Nui houses from the 1700’s and reconstructed houses to show what they would have looked like. Here the birdman competition would happen. A representative(s) from each klan would go to the island on a log like surfing to retrieve the egg of the sooty tern.

Ahu Huri A Urenga

Puma Pau

Interesting tree. Not a pine but leaves that are stiff and a bit sharp.

Ahu Akiv

Maoi generally face inland. This looks like it is facing towards the water, but there would have been a village in front of it. The maoi always face towards the people as they represent mana and enlightenment.

So what if there was an alternative explanation to the Rapa Nui culture disappearing?

A theory is the inhabitants of Rapa Nui could have attempted to move to another island They were skilled Polynesian navigators capable of long ocean voyages. Why it is not likely:
1. Rapa Nui is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world.

2. By the time of their decline, deforestation meant that they lacked materials for constructing large seafaring canoes.

3. They also had less capacity for organizing expeditions.

It has been an amazing 5 days here. Relaxing and so peaceful. Not overly touristic but just enough.

Rapa Nui/Easter Island/Isla de Pascua

Rapa Nui is a Polynesian island where a unique and sophisticated culture developed. The moai, carved from basalt, were created to honor ancestors and chiefs, representing spiritual and political power called mana. By the 17th century, the culture suffered from overpopulation and resource depletion (mainly trees) which led to conflicts and decline. Europeans from Chile began to arrive in 1722. The brought leprosy and took many natives including tribal leaders in their slave raids. Many of the past stories were lost with them.

It is worth the time to take a full day tour and learn the history.

Anakena Beach

Hanga Tetenga

You can see this one is still connected to the bedrock and will be later cut away then the maoi will be moved.

Once carving is complete and separated from the bedrock, they were moved through the valleys and then lowered into a pit until they could be transported elsewhere.

The maoi were carved for people who were important. Slaves did not do the carving, they were paid craftsmen

These relics showed maoi that were knocked over most likely by warring klans. The red scoria rock was used for the topknots (hair).

Ahu Tongariki

These maoi were toppled by a tsunami. A Japanese crane company owner donated a crane and a lot of money to restore the maoi.

Ahu Akahanga

Warriors slept near the entrance and older and children were at the ends.

To store water for crops, stones were used to trap moisture

Moai cultural dance at Te Moana

We had dinner at a restaurant that also has a cultural show. The dancers and singers were very talented and told the story of a king who dies, a moai statue is made and he receives eternal power.

A walk through town reveals other maoi.

Santiago, Chile

We arrived in Santiago, Chile on my birthday. In Peru before I boarded they allowed people over 60 to board first. That is a great present in itself! I handed out chocolates to people on the plane and was rewarded with a glass of wine and some standard plane snacks…

At the hotel, I gave gifts of chocolate and I had a plate of truffles and chocolate covered strawberries.

Always fun when you run into people from school unexpectedly in your second country of your trip….

It was great to see Lorelei on the street

Not much was open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day which gave us time to enjoy the sights without many crowds. We are glad to be in a bigger hotel (with a pool).

Fuente neptuna