Big Towering Wonders
So I said I needed a dose of cockroaches and amoebic dysentry to feel like we are "properly" travelling and I´m happy to report we had our first seriously sized cockroach incident, which Steve dealt with admirably by chopping him in half (and then still felt really guilty several minutes later). However, this happened on a little bit of paradise so still didn´t have the desired effect.
The little bit of paradise is Rapa Nui (Easter Island) which is surprisingly at the top of both our lists so far - surprising for me because I thought Torres would keep the title, and it is a very close call. But Easter Island is going to be one of those places where it is very hard for me to keep this short and no doubt Steve will have plenty more to add.
Coming in to land was a little freaky but amazing. We flew over the island (about 12 miles long at its lengthiest point) getting fantastic views, then continued over and past it as we got lower and closer to the pacific - I was praying for the pilot to bank - the next bit of land is around 2000 miles away!
The island is beautiful. It has a few white sand beaches and the bluest sea I´ve ever seen - not as clear as the sea around Phi Phi of course, because the waves are significant, but a beautiful colour. There are several extinct volcanoes, the rock of one of which was used to carve out the famous statues, the Moai.
How to describe the Moai? The first thing that struck us about them was how huge they are. They all have different characters, a feature nowhere more noticeable than at Tongariki where 15 have been restored to their Ahu (platform) and form an impressive line along the coast. Many on the island are still fallen, (did they fall or were they pushed?! Various theories exist on why this happened but it seems most likely they were flattened during wars and by Tsunamis) and we found these really sad, especially those that had fallen face down - the ones on their back seemed to be enjoying the sunshine!
The "nursery" is particularly atmospheric and was our favourite part. The Moai were carved out of the rock here, then raised and buried up to their necks so that the faces could be carved. The nursery is Rano Raraku, the volcano, and the Moai are all over the slopes and in the crater by the lake. Wandering around here in the early morning with absolutely no one else on the slopes was a magical few hours (definitely worth getting there before any tour groups).
Also magical were the sunrises and sunsets at the various Ahus. But while sometimes the island seems magical, sometimes eerie and mysterious, it is also a lot of fun. The statues have a lot of character, the roads are very bumpy and great fun in a jeep, (we always tend to end up associating places we visit with a song - Easter Island will always be "All shook up"!) the beaches are beautiful and the waves make for really great swimming.
It was an unbelievable place to spend Christmas. And once again this place is going to be one that makes me fail miserably to find sufficient superlatives!
And after a very brief second sojourn in Santiago, and via the very nice Lima airport (yes, anyone who visited it in the past as I did 7 years ago may be amazed to hear that, but its true!)we find ourselves in the lovely Cuzco in Andean Peru, a day away from starting the inca trail. Last time I was here I was actually in the throws of amoebic dysentry and consequently missed out on nearly all of the inca trail, so actually I think I can feel "travelly" enough without it this time thanks!
Mandi
The little bit of paradise is Rapa Nui (Easter Island) which is surprisingly at the top of both our lists so far - surprising for me because I thought Torres would keep the title, and it is a very close call. But Easter Island is going to be one of those places where it is very hard for me to keep this short and no doubt Steve will have plenty more to add.
Coming in to land was a little freaky but amazing. We flew over the island (about 12 miles long at its lengthiest point) getting fantastic views, then continued over and past it as we got lower and closer to the pacific - I was praying for the pilot to bank - the next bit of land is around 2000 miles away!
The island is beautiful. It has a few white sand beaches and the bluest sea I´ve ever seen - not as clear as the sea around Phi Phi of course, because the waves are significant, but a beautiful colour. There are several extinct volcanoes, the rock of one of which was used to carve out the famous statues, the Moai.
How to describe the Moai? The first thing that struck us about them was how huge they are. They all have different characters, a feature nowhere more noticeable than at Tongariki where 15 have been restored to their Ahu (platform) and form an impressive line along the coast. Many on the island are still fallen, (did they fall or were they pushed?! Various theories exist on why this happened but it seems most likely they were flattened during wars and by Tsunamis) and we found these really sad, especially those that had fallen face down - the ones on their back seemed to be enjoying the sunshine!
The "nursery" is particularly atmospheric and was our favourite part. The Moai were carved out of the rock here, then raised and buried up to their necks so that the faces could be carved. The nursery is Rano Raraku, the volcano, and the Moai are all over the slopes and in the crater by the lake. Wandering around here in the early morning with absolutely no one else on the slopes was a magical few hours (definitely worth getting there before any tour groups).
Also magical were the sunrises and sunsets at the various Ahus. But while sometimes the island seems magical, sometimes eerie and mysterious, it is also a lot of fun. The statues have a lot of character, the roads are very bumpy and great fun in a jeep, (we always tend to end up associating places we visit with a song - Easter Island will always be "All shook up"!) the beaches are beautiful and the waves make for really great swimming.
It was an unbelievable place to spend Christmas. And once again this place is going to be one that makes me fail miserably to find sufficient superlatives!
And after a very brief second sojourn in Santiago, and via the very nice Lima airport (yes, anyone who visited it in the past as I did 7 years ago may be amazed to hear that, but its true!)we find ourselves in the lovely Cuzco in Andean Peru, a day away from starting the inca trail. Last time I was here I was actually in the throws of amoebic dysentry and consequently missed out on nearly all of the inca trail, so actually I think I can feel "travelly" enough without it this time thanks!
Mandi
Labels: "around the world", chile, easter island, moai, rapa nui, south america, travel, trip
posted by MandiB at
15:32
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