Rano Raraku, the quarry where all the Moais were carved from the volcanic stone, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
I spent one week on Easter Island in February 2008 and had the immense chance to witness the Tapati Rapa Nui or Rapa Nui Festival, as well as to discover the mysterious Moai… Continue Reading →
Ahu Tongariki, the largest Ahu ever built with 15 Moais, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
There are many places on Rapa Nui / Easter Island where the Moai, these amazing statues that seem to stare into the distance, can be found, but five locations are truly spectacular:
Photo: Guillaume Fuenfrock, 5Rock Production, Fakarava, French Polynesia
After doing some unforgettable diving around Fakarava in French Polynesia, we were in such a swing that we could not resist the glossy brochures promoting diving around Rarotonga. So on the second day there we dropped by Cook Island Divers. Since the man we talked to was nice and knowledgeable, we booked a two tank dive for the following morning. Continue Reading →
Moai, in Ahu Nau Nau, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
This week on the Easter Island 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! Continue Reading →
Jerome, Heidi & Pina, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
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. Continue Reading →
Rano Raraku, the quarry where all the Moais were carved from the volcanic stone, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
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. Continue Reading →
Queen Elisabeth with 1.800 passengers arriving in Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
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. Continue Reading →
Tapati Rapa Nui, Tau’a (kind of Triathlon that is held inside the crater of volcano Ranu Raraku), Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
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… Continue Reading →
Tapati Rapa Nui, Estival de Cantos y Danzas Tradicionales (Traditional Singings and Dances Festival), Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
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 quite a financial burden on the family and requires months of rehearsing. Often preparation for next years festival start right after the current one finishes. Continue Reading →
Ahu Tongariki, the largest Ahu ever built with 15 Moais, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, Pacific
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? Continue Reading →
