Day 26
Trip Start
Feb 13, 2007
1
27
61
Trip End
Apr 13, 2007
Easter Island, Chile
Sunday, March 11, 2007
1 pound = 2 dollars
2 reals = 1 dollar (4 reals = 1 £)
3 arg pesos = 1 dollar (6 arg pesos = 1 £)
500 chile pesos = 1 dollar (1000 chi pesos = 1 £)
Today we went discovering on our own, it was another perfect weather day, doesn't look like you get anything else here
We drove along the south east coast, basically the route of yesterdays tour bus, but at our own pace, we stopped at one or two spots along the way we hadn't seen the day before, but generally the sites are only toppled moai or ahu
Then we got to the quarry, our main destination, and unlike the day before it was virtually deserted, which was great for meandering about, taking photos without being rushed
The quarry is the jewel in the crown of easter island, its called Rano Raraku, and you can't see it with a tour group, you need time to study and explore, the tour is great for the history lesson, so that you understand what you are seeing, but you need the quiet time as well to soak it all in
Rano Raraku is a volcano, where all the moai where carved, and where many statues remain, they dot the hill leading up to the crater rim, and they are really awesome ones, you have probably seen pictures of them cos they are perfect for travel books etc
When I was about 10 or 11 years old I remember seeing a picture or photo and it stuck with me from that day on, I actually found that exact dude on the hill, he is very unique, I will put the photo up when I get decent internet
Looking at the hill a lot of it is made of stone, and in the stone is maoi that where either carved completely or never moved, or part carved and never completed, one of them is the biggest maoi ever made, 22m long, who knows how they planned to move it, its huge
There are many paths around the hill, and you can't move off them for fear of death by firing squad, the rangers watch this place closely, unfortunately it means you can't always stand next to the maoi for photos, I really wanted to put their size into perspective, some you can get close to, hopefully the photos come out well
The path to the crater rim is tricky, as you climb over the top you get an incredible sight, a lake in the volcano with reeds, and more maio dotted around the inside, I took a walk to see them all, some very good ones seen in there, then you can walk along the crater rim, climbing up rocks to the very highest stone, which gives you an elevated 360 degree view of the island, and a great sight of Ahu Tongariki where the 15 moai are with the sea breaking on rocks behind it
We get back to the jeep hot, a bit burnt despite lotion, their is no respite from the sun up there, no shade whatsoever, you just cook in the sun, the walk was tougher than I had expected, I would rather have worn merrels than slops, and would have taken some water
Off we go to the beach for the rest of the day, not busy Anakena that we saw the day before, but secluded Ovahe beach, a lovely little cove with a strip of sand, beautiful blue water, and some decent waves, not to mention some decent bikini clad ladies, but whose worried about that
We spend most of the time in the sea, its just so magnificent you can't get out the water, it really is very quiet, with about 20 people max
I hopefully get a tan without the burnt to a crisp situation that occurred in rio, eventually it just gets to hot so we drive further down the coast to Anakena where you can buy cold coke, which is a welcome relief
Its about 17:30 so we drive slowly back to town, its an awesome drive through the island, very scenic
Tonight we try the other tip for supper, Merahi Ra'a, but we must try go out a bit later, the locals are telling me supper is more like 11pm at the restaurant, then 2am at the discoteque, these tourists that go for supper at 8pm, its just no good
I don't think I can last that long without eating part of my arm, we go at 21:30, their fish menu is really good and depends on the days catch as far as availability goes, its cheap by easter island standards, and very very good
Two more action packed days of discovery to go...
