Text, Video and Photos: Ronian Carvalho
Distances from the Easter Island (in some unit of measure enough to show that it is far away from everywhere)
About 4,000 km away from any other human civilization, the Easter Island holds the title of the most isolated inhabited place in the world. There's no lack of attractions for those interested in nature, geology, culture or for those who simply want to relax. Despite being under Chilean administration, the island has almost nothing to do with South America.
Tropical trees swaying in the wind, tourists with flower necklaces, natives with Polynesian traits speaking the rapa nui language (or Spanish with strong foreign accent), and, above all, the various moais scattered everywhere are the registered trademark of the Easter Island. Whoever comes from Santiago de Chile and arrives at Aeropuerto Mataveri, built by NASA in 1985, already has the impression of being in Oceania.
Landing at Mataveri International Airport. You can see a bit of the slope of the Rano Kao volcano
Formed by the constant eruptions of three large volcanoes over the centuries (Rano Rarako, Rano Kao and Poike), the Easter Island features an almost triangular territory of roughly 150 square meters of mostly volcanic soil. Even so, there are two sandy beaches on the Island: Anakena and Ovahe. Although its sea water is reasonably cold at certain times of the year and the local weather is rather unstable, relaxing a little on one of these beaches, either by lapping on the sand or bathing in the clear Polynesian Sea, under the watchful eye of the mysterious moais, is a unique and fantastic experience.
One of the many moais on the Easter Island. This one has eyes made of shells.
Speaking of moais, these stone figures, carved on the slopes of Rano Rarako volcano, are the main icon of the Easter Island. Made to represent Rapa Nui tribes' ancestors, almost all of them were positioned with their backs to the sea, as if they were photographs hanging on a wall. Many have been placed on pedestals, called ahus, and some have special features such as hat and eyes made of shells. The Sebastián Engler Museum, located in Hanga Roa, the only village on the island, has a vast collection that details very well the process of construction and the meanings of these stone beings for the Rapa Nui people, besides presenting various natural and human aspects of the Easter Island. Admission is free.
Trail on the slope of the Rano Kao volcano
Being a volcanic island, these elevations with craters couldn't miss. At least two of the island's volcanoes can be known by hiking, Rano Rarako and Rano Kao. The ways there involve roads, forests, green plains, steep slopes and incredible views throughout the course. There are also trails that lead to archaeological sites and caves, where the natives used to hide from invading peoples.
Interested in learning more about the Easter Island? Wait for the next posts ...
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