Visit Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile (UNESCO site)

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A UNESCO world heritage site, Easter Island (or Rapa Nui as is its indigenous name) presents unique and imaginative shrines, sculptures and monuments developed by native people without outside influence. For nearly 600 years beginning in the 11th century AD, these islanders of Polynesian descent erected enormous stone figures known as Moai, believed to be representative of the inhabitants’ ancient ancestors, that continue to fascinate all that choose to visit and observe. While it is widely believed that the first settlors of Rapa Nui arrived about 1700 years ago, probably from the Marquesas, the population and resultant development had its most explosive growth during the approximate 600 year span when the unique architecture and carvings were created. Given the massive dimensions of many of the Moai statues, numerous theories exist as to how the monuments were carved out of mostly volcanic rock and then transported to their sentinel positions. Much of the island is now part of the Rapa Nui National Park, so designated in consideration of the important relics and history located on Easter Island that deserve preservation. Rapa Nui National Park is a World Heritage Site. The park is divided into seven sections: Rano Kau (which includes Orongo) Puna Pau (named after the quarry where the pukao were carved). Rano Raraku (named after the quarry where most of the moai were carved). Anakena - Ovahe Ahu Akivi Costa Norte Hanga Roa (Urban Area). Easter Island was annexed to Chile in the late 1800’s and lies 3,500 kilometers west of Chile’s coastline in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. The island is accessible by regular commercial air service from Tahiti, Santiago de Chile, and Lima, Peru. Access to the island is also possible by ship and is included on some “Around the World” cruises. Rental jeeps, buses, bicycles and motorbikes are the primary method of transportation once on the island. Besides the Moai statues and petroglyphs, carvings and monuments, visitors to Easter Island include viewing volcanic craters and cinder cones, visiting idyllic white-sand beaches, scuba diving and snorkeling along with exploration of an extensive cave system as their favorite on-island excursions. There are good restaurants, bars (serving the “unofficial” alcoholic drink of the island, Pisco) and a reasonable collection of hotels and guesthouses. A Visit to Easter Island, Chile belongs on your list if you have dreamed about viewing some of the world’s most interesting ancient monuments and rock carvings. Put this trip on your list and start doing the research to learn as much about the ancient culture that created these important links to the past. Tie this visit in with your trip of a lifetime to South America or Tahiti and truly create memories that will last forever.

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