Easter Island, or Rapa Nui in local speak.
Hopefully our photos will give you a taster into this historically rich and mysterious island, but photos alone cannot fully convey the intrigue of this place. The gigantic Moai statues are the main attraction with their red 'hats', which we discovered, symbolise their hair, but the mystery lies in the hair...was it dye from the soil, or did it represent western conquerors such as the Dutch or the Viking explorers? Nothing was ever fully clear, dates, events, stories are ambiguous, which makes it all the more interesting. So have a look and see what you come up with!
Open wide!
Local carved statues. Date back several centuries.
Modern meets old.
Where's the fatty?!
Another Mary on the south coast.
All these guys have names, but there is no way that we can remember them all.
South coast pull down. You can see several heads on their fronts and backs, and their hair pieces sitting on the grass below.
Ahu Tongariki. Famed for its sunrise shots.
Here you see the Moai, i.e. the statues. However, the platform upon which they stand is called the Ahu. Spot the viking...
The entrance guard to Ahu Tongariki.
Look into the eyes, not around the eyes, in to the eyes, the eyes!!
There are over 600 Moai on the island, of varying conditions. Large restoration projects took place from the 60's to the early 90's, where the Moai were re-erected on the Ahu, but some Moai were best left to lie in their fallen place for either historical effect or fear of damage.
Ranu Raraku, which hosts the Moai 'manufacturing plant'. You will see later how the statues are carved from the volcano rock face. From here, they were transported to their various locations on the island, but some were never moved. Remarkable, especially when they are as heavy as they are and transporation methods were very basic.
Staring competition. Who's the fiercest warrior?
A good shot of the restored condition of the Moai. You wouldn't think it, but this chap stood about 8-10 metres high.
Ahu Tongariki in daylight.
No hablo espanol....Gordon embracing the wave on Playa Anakena on the north coast
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Moai castle.
One of the caves on the north coast. No rock art or/petroglyphs, however, there was a fantastic view of the pacific from this rocky ledge. Remember, don't step too close to the edge.....
Have we mentioned Ahu Tongariki?! This was sunrise at about 7.30am. Not quite the colours we had hoped for, due to season, but very pretty nonetheless.
Susan exploring the caves.
Venturing th hidden depths. It was dark and tight.
The formiddable Rapa Nui fishing fleet.
Moai on Anakena beach. One year, a Finnish tourist decided to chip off the left earlobe of the third Moai from the left. Amazing how disrespectful some tourists can be!
Pukara in the middle of the island. Similar remains are scattered all over the island.
Ahu Akivi. The only standing Moai on an Ahu that are not on the coast. The direction of the heads are significant in solar/astronomy terms.
Yet again, our favourite. Note they all face inland.
Petroglyphs of the King's (Hotu Matu'a) fishing canoe.
Gordon negotiating the local traffic while we drove around the island.
More petroglyphs depicting the fishing of tuna, and a shark.
Volcano Rano Kau.
Petroglyph overlooking the crater
Donde el Gordo?
This is the chap from the previous picture. You can see the full magnitude of the statue. It stands 12 metres high. This excavation was carried out in 1985, however, it was filled back in not long after. This is to preserve the features underground. If you look closely, look at the definition of the hands and lower torso. Great to show perspective!
Crater Ranu Raraku on the eastern side of the island, where the Moai were made. Some Moai are located on the inside lip of the volcano, however, this was shut off to tourists because some clever person spoiled it for everyone by digging out stone from the middle of the Moai's torso. Another shame.
Beware. Bulls crossing.
Camouflage.
An example of the general desolate environment.
The famed twisted neck in Rano Raraku.
Spot the Moai. Can you work it out?
The oldest Moai on the island. The only one kneeling with visible feet and legs. We wondered why he was faced in the direction that he was, but no one could answer us. Another mystery.
Some like the view lying down, some standing up.
Nice hair-do.
Note, this is not a hat, this is the hair.
Hidden Moai, crouching Susan.
More locals. Road rage is common amongst this lot.
Some of the designs (petroglyphs) carved into their backs.
All in this picture date from about 800AD.
Where's Susan?
Hair-dos that didn't quite make it on to the Moai.
The gals having a bath.
Ahu Akivi.
Still sleepy, even after breakfast in the car.
Ahu Tahai; famed for its sunset shots. These guys were located right next to town.
Flick!
Motu Nui, Motu Iti and the stack of Motu Kao Kao just off the south west coast, viewed from Orongo village on the edge of Volcan Rano Kau. These islands were significant for the selection of the new leader of the island. In a nutshell, various contenders would scale down the cliffs of the volcano, swim to the large island in the distance and wait for the first laid egg of the Sooty bird of the season before returning to the village to be named the new leader, if they returned with the egg first.
Nice and sunny.
Message for the blog from Playa Anakena, Rapa Nui!
