Easter Island or Isla de Pascua was discovered by Europeans on Easter Sunday 1722, hence its most commonly used name is Easter Island. It was known as Rapi Nui to the Polynesian people who inhabited (and still inhabit) the Island.

The thing that strikes you the most about Easter Island are not the Giant Moai, but the poor stewardship of the Island and it resources. There is very little to see after the Moai. At one point only 111 Rapi Nui were left, decimated by inter tribal warfare, raids by Peruvian slave traders and introduced diseases like smallpox.

The Island even today looks bare, attempts are being made to reforest the Island. They started with eucalyptus, but that has also meant fires in summer (no surprise to Australians!). They are now trying to grow native plants for the next stage. Thousands of seedlings are in the nursery. As the Island is so devoid of trees, this is likely to take many decades.

It was a five hour flight from Santiago. We were picked up by James in his new Ford F250 Raptor. A nice truck and it had the best LCD screen The Doc has ever seen in a car. The reversing camera was great, so clear.

We were transported to the TaiHaiTai Hotel, left our bags and were given a quick tour around the township Hanga Ra, then onto to Rano Kau crater.

Near Rano Kau Crater is Oronga Village the place where the birdman contest took place. The Tangata manu (bird-man) was the winner of a traditional competition on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), read more here.

As sun set was approaching we were taken to some Moai near Hanga Ra. A nice sunset helped. Most people left at sunset, whereas some of our best photos where in the half hour after sunset.

Next morning we got up very early to go to the largest Moai site, some 15 figures at Ahu Tongariki, not far from the main Moai quarry. Bill M was driving our little people mover. The other part of the group was in the slightly bigger minibus. A sunrise shoot today. We arrived before sunrise and used torches to light up the Moai. As sunrise approached we were in position as many others started to arrive.

We had the evening free on Day 3 and Alan E and The Doc went back to the Hanga Ra Maoi for sunset. The Doc tried to vary the shots from the first day. It was worth the effort.

The Doc has combined the various Moai sunset and sunrise photos, they are here.

We went back to this site doing the day and also for another morning shot. The Doc has included a selection of the shots.

The daylight Moai shots are here.

We also visited the 2 main Moai quarries, at Rano Raraku and Puna Pua. The red scoria hats came from the second site, the main Moai quarry was Rano Raraku. The transporting of the Moai were not always successful, you can see 2 large Moai broken into pieces as they were being moved. The largest of the Maoi remains in the quarry partially completed, some 21 metres high.

The last day was to be free time, but instead we had Cosplay Rapi Nui style. The Tour Guides and James had arranged one male and 2 female Rapi Nui to dress up in traditional clothing. They came out early Sunday morning in the cold (you get cold in traditional dress).

Not exactly The Doc’s forte, but here are a few shots.

There were some other locations and a few night-time shots, enjoy.

That all folks, the end of the Easter Island Report.