Gallery Ester IslandClick on one picture to view the whole gallery |
06.02.2008
Ciao South America and good bye to Heidi’s bag!
Our farewell to Argentina was appropriate, a spontaneous party with Argentineans at our hostel. We sampled the food and wine people had bought touring the bodegas that day and everybody shared whatever they had. We were particular proud to be able to follow the conversation in Spanish about any random topic. After more than 6 months in Latino America, it was time to leave and we felt a bit nostalgic but also curious to learn about new countries. The next morning, while we were waiting at Mendoza’s bus station for the bus to Santiago...[more] Category: Easter Islands
07.02.2008
“Iorona” Rapa Nui
The minutes we stepped off the plane, we knew we were on a tropical island: a steady wind blowing, the balmy temperature and the smell of the nearby sea … Everything was as it should have been! Since it is the time of the annual Tapati Rapa Nui festival, we thought finding an accommodation would be difficult. We had checked the homepage of few hotels and knew we could find a room for 100 USD or more, but had no idea if there would be anything for less. So first thing, we started looking for accommodation. At the airport, owners of...[more] Category: Easter Islands
08.02.2008
Moai & Ahu
In the museum in Rapa Nui, the diligent visitors can learn everything they have always wanted to know about this particular Polynesian culture, but were afraid to ask... Here you find answers or at least theories to who the people were that created these unique statues called “Moai”. Why were they put up and how? What led to their destruction? Around 500 BC, people who originally lived on the Solomon Islands and on the islands between them and Tonga & Samoa, set sail in their big canoes on a great colonisation adventure to what is...[more] Category: Easter Islands
09.02.2008
Tapati Festival on Rapa Nui
The concept of this festival is that various families compete against each other in a number of contests, like dancing, singing, swimming, stone carving, producing artefacts, fishing, horseback riding and canoe racing. There are other activities that need to be described in more detail, because of their exotic and unique nature! The points won by each of these subgroups are added and at the end decide which group has won. This very group can claim the crown for its queen. The problem is to get families to participate because it is...[more] Category: Easter Islands
10.02.2008
Tapati Rapa Nui: Tau´a, Haka Pei and Carnaval
We can only repeat how lucky and privileged we feel to be able to watch this unique festival! We try to see as many of the events as we can and each time we are thrilled anew. None was of the typical “hula hula” type so common for other Polynesian islands, but truly authentic. Oh, in case we have not mentioned it, every single performance of the festival is free of charge... “Tau’a” and “Haka Pei” are the two most spectacular competitions in the Tapati Rapa Nui Festival in terms of endurance and courage. Tau’a is a kind of...[more] Category: Easter Islands
11.02.2008
Tourism on Rapa Nui
We have only been here for one week but keep meeting the same people when shopping in the village or going to the festival. Giving that the island has only 3.600 residents, this is not a surprise. A lot more horses, not less than 5.000 of them, roam the streets and every bit of the countryside. The local population has the typical Polynesian look and is extremely attractive. The men are rather tall and grow their hair long which then is either tied into a ponytail or a bun high up on the head, often decorated with feathers. The fame...[more] Category: Easter Islands
12.02.2008
Moai hunting through the island
After a few days on Rapa Nui, it was time to visit what we had actually come to see, the legendary Moai. There are many places where these amazing statues that seem to stare into the distance can be found, but five locations are truly spectacular. Ahu Tahai is only a short hike from the village with three restored Ahu, as the platforms that support the Moai are called. There you can see a Moai whose eyes were replaced, the only one on the island. To visit all other sites, you need to be more mobile. We tried our luck with various...[more] Category: Easter Islands
13.02.2008
One week at the Residencial Petero Atamu
At Residencial Petero Atamu, our home for one week, we met the extended family of Senora Dalia Pakarati, her daughters, grandchildren and cousins. They all live on this plot of land in seven bungalows surrounded by banana and mango trees. One building is reserved for tourists, but as soon as one of these rooms is empty, a family member moves in, bringing a TV along of course. We spent a lot of time talking with Pina, one of the daughters, who actually manages the place and takes care of several children of friends and family...[more] Category: Easter Islands
13.02.2008
Easter Island - Budget & Summary
This week on the Easter Islands was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We thought we would have lots of time to rest and do nothing spending a whole week on this island, but were very busy visiting the various events of the festival and the more famous sites of standing Moai. Besides, from midday to late afternoon, the sun is simply too strong for any major undertaking! Of course, the highlights of the island are the Moai, their history and the many mysteries around them. What really surprised us was that even in the high...[more] Category: Easter Islands, Summaries, Budget
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