Easter Island; Day One
Our arrival on Easter Island was around 2:00 pm, marking the commencement of our exploration. Zeb promptly headed down to the beach for a refreshing swim, while Emmy, my parents, and I opted for a culinary introduction at a local establishment named Le Fritz. The ceviche proved to be quite good. The remainder of the day unfolded at a relaxed pace.
Easter Island; Day Two – Exploring Easter Island
A decision to spend the day at the beach was influenced by the favorable weather conditions. Venturing into town to assess rental car options, we encountered a distinctive green buggy, it didnt have windows but capable of reaching speeds up to 120kph. This choice accompanied us for a 24-hour exploration, leading us to Anakena Beach.
Anakena Beach, known for its golden sands and historical significance, served as the initial landing site of the island’s Polynesian settlers. The statues on this beach, known as Ahu Nau Nau, are among the oldest on Easter Island, dating back to the 10th century. We spent the rest of the day there.
Easter Island; Day Three – Tour and Horseback Riding
Commencing the day at 6:00 am, a sunrise tour. Our guides name was Josefina. Ahu Tongariki had 15 moai statues, provided a great sunrise backdrop. Our journey continued to Rano Raraku, the quarry where the moai were carved, offering a appreciation for the craftsmanship of the Rapanui people.
Rano Raraku, often referred to as the birthplace of the moai, was the main hub of statue production on the island. In the quarry were the remnants of unfinished statues that were left.
Exploration extended to Hanga Roa and the village of Orongo, letting us learn about the bird man competition. Later in the evening, a horseback riding expedition allowed us to witness the sunset, providing wonderful views and loys of fun riding as we went along.
Easter Island; Day Four – Caves
Josefina picked us up our day at 10:00 am with a cave exploration tour. The Ana Te Pahu caves, ancient lava tubes utilized by the Rapanui for protection and shelter, featured remnants of ground stoves used for cooking. Navigating through the caves, we encountered two exit options—an ordinary route and a super-small hole in the ground. Opting for the latter, the unique ascent added a touch of adventure.
Our exploration extended to Ahu Akivi, the sole platform where moai faced the ocean. Restored in 1960 without the aid of machinery, the site had lots of historical significance. A shop near Ahu Akivi introduced an unexpected element of poped rice (or so we thought). We later found out that it was poped wheat, so…
Despite concluding the day early due to not feeling our best, the experience was filled with history. As the sun bid its farewell, casting a golden glow upon the statues and caves. Easter island was so much fun to explore, and I am so glad I got to visit.