Easter Island (Chile) - The Mysterious Moai

One of the most isolated Islands in the World: Easter Island

When I went to Chile for my semester abroad it was already clear to me that I would have to visit Easter Island. I had watched some documentaries about it, red some interesting things and I mean, who hasn't heard of it at some point in time?
I guess it was the mysterious history of this island and the remoteness that made it so attractive to me. Located somewhere in the middle of the pacific. Long story short, I booked a flight and a hostel with a friend and a couple of weeks later we landed in Hanga Roa (the main city of the small island). So let me take you on a journey through Easter Island. I took all of these pictures last year in May.

Above you see the south eastern part of the island. We cycled along the whole east and north coast that day. It is pretty common to walk or cycle. Some people even rent a car, because the island is actually a lot bigger than one might think it is. It covers a 160 square km., is very hilly and has strong winds. That means, cycling and hiking can be a little hard for less sporty people.

The island is kind of triangular and has three high volcanoes, one in each of its angels. In this picture you see the "Puakatike" volcano. It is located in the north east. The volcano has some of the steepest slopes. From the top all the way down to the ocean. It is a spectacular view if you stand right in front of it.

On the way to the just mentioned volcano, you pass by another much smaller volcano: Rano Raraku. Birth place and quarry to the Moai statues which you see in the picture. The statues are of great mystery. No one knows exactly why the inhabitants of the island, the "Rapa Nui", started to build them. They had such an obsession with them, that they would carve so many out of the volcanic stone, that they started depleting most of the forests on the island (to move the gigantic Moai with the trunks). Making it basically an unsustainable place to live with almost no trees left. It is one of the explanations that led to the downfall of the island's tribes.

This is on of the fresh water lakes on the island. It is inside the crater of the volcano that I just talked about. It is a spectacular place. The narrow path that leads to the lake is so windy that you have to hold on to your belongings but once you reach it, you find nothing but quietness and a beautiful setting.

Above you see the main beach of the island. Accompanied with a row a Moai statues, you find small bistros at the beach that offer food and drinks. It is the ideal spot to watch the sunrise on the island. If you find the time spend a couple of hours at the "Anakena" beach. The water is calm at this spot and you don't want to leave Easter Island without going for a swim in the pacific!

Here you see the south west coast of the island. You can climb down the cliffs and find some old caves and see where some of the island's bird have their breeding ground. When you walk further you find one of the nice hiking trails of the island that leads towards the southern volcano. This is also where you find a small museum that educates about the islands famous "Bird Man Cult". At last a picture of myself, super wet (it was pretty rainy that day, sigh..), at the southern volcano lake.

To be on an island as remote as Easter Island is really weird, almost creepy. There is only one way to get there and that is from Santiago.
The flights are mostly pretty expensive because there is just one airline offering flights to the island. It takes approximately 6 hours to get there and 4 1/2 to get back to Santiago. This is kind of fascinating and due to the trade winds in the southern pacific.
I cannot describe the feeling to you, to be so far away from everything. It is almost as not only are you physically away from everything but you also leave all your problems and worries behind. You should make the experience yourself and visit Easter Island if you ever get the chance.