|
There has been much controversy and confusion concerning the origins of the Easter Islanders. It has the shape of a volcanic triangle and its surface is 180km˛. The millenary island is considered an open air museum, since it has over thousands giant stone statues named “Moai” with more than 10 metres high and 50 000 kg, which are spread along the coasts end slopes. The Rapanui inhabitants are among the friendliest people you will ever meet, and the landscape is truly amazing - with its volcanic craters, lava formations, beaches, brilliant blue water, and archaeological sites.
|
|
| Favourite spots: |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
ahu te Pito Kura or "uterus of the planet"
|
|
We visited Eastern Island with a Rapanui guide really interresting. Hanga Roa is the Capital of the island and the main town.
Ahu Akivi is an archeologic site which was the first site to be restored scientificaly between 1960 and 1961. This is a ceremonial place with seven “Moai”.
Ahu Tahiri has special significance since the carving of the giant stone walls is similar those in the inca city of Machu Pichu.
Ahu Vinapu where the 6 Moai are fallen down, disfigured and spread around the ahu.
Ahu te Pito Kura it’s a big stone perfectly rounded named by the old Rapanui inhabitants : “uterus of the planet”.
Ahu Tongariki, it was the biggest and most known funeral platform of all, built in Rapanui.It was 200m long and 15 statues on this platform. The 15 moai were restored in the early 1990's, reversing some of the damage done when an earthquake and corresponding tsunami flattened the statues and sent several topknots far inland in the early 1960's.
|
|
| What's really great: |
Ahu Hanga Te’e o Vahinu where the Moai are completely fallen down and “pukaos” (headdress) are spread.
Rano Raraku Volcano is one of the greatest and worthiest archeological sites on the island. Here exist more than 300 monuments in process of construction; they are disseminated in the inside and exterior slopes. This place has been known as “the way of moai”. It was the “no man’s land” which was owned by all clans. Rano Kau Volcano, in Rapa Nui language Rano means volcano and Kau, wide, vast. Inside of it there is a lagune with more than 1km of diameter and has more than 280m depth. On its surface there is an exhuberant vegetation with bulrush and cattails.
|
|
| Sights: |
|
Orongo, old and magnifecent ceremonial village, located in the southern, extreme on the western top of Rano Kau, surrounding the crater and the cliff in the sea. From the village, there is a nice view of Motu Nui and Motu Iti. The farthest Island is Motu Nui. It was the focus of the Birdman Cult. Each winter the most fit members of each tribe would swim out and fast and lie in wait for the sooty tern to return to the islands. The first man to swim back through the shark infested waters with an unbroken egg could name the year, lived in splendor, and got his pick of the ladies. This cult developed late in the Rapa Nui history.
|
|
| Accommodations: |
|
You have many boarding houses, but we lived in "Chez Maria Goretti", confortable bed & breakfast which accomodates a variety of amenities. they offers also horse rentals for horseback riding and tours of the island on horseback.
|
|
| Nightlife: |
|
There are some discotheques but after a long sunny trip day we were tired and we went to sleep early !
|
|
| Hangouts: |
|
The Hango Roa hotel propose Rapa Nui dances 's representation.
|
|
| Other recommendations: |
There so many places to visit, I can't tell you all, but don't forget visit also :
Caves of Ana te Pahu was likely used as a house occasionally and a shelter, during the historic period of the island.
Ahu Hanga Te’e o Vahinu where the Moai are completely falen down and “pukaos” (headdress) are spread.
Rano Raraku Volcano is one of the greatest and worthiest archeological sites on the island. Here exist more than 300 monuments in process of construction; they are disseminated in the inside and exterior slopes. This place has been known as “the way of moai”. It was the “no man’s land” which was owned by all clans.,
Anakena, beautiful beach where there are two ahu completely restored : Ahu Ature Huki and Ahu Nau Nau.
It's better to visit with guide.
|
|
| Restaurants: |
|
the most of the time we eated at "Chez Maria Goretti" but we went at "la Taverne du Pęcheur" where you can eat very good fish meals and at "Mama Sabina" where you can eat cheap fast foods.
|
|
Published on Tuesday January 31th, 2006 by mamielle
|
|
|
|
Read comments (12)
|
19 votes
