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Easter Island (Isla de Pascua)
18th February 2010
We made a last minute decision to visit Easter Island during their annual Tapati Rapa Nui Festival, and on arrival became caught up in a parade of half naked, decorated islanders.
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To see for ourselves those giant statues (Moai) was really something, and on a visit to the volcano quarry many unfinished heads could be seen scattered about. There are some 800 around the island ranging from 2 metres to 21 metres high.
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The laid back capital Hanga Roa has no high rise buildings and it is not unusual to see people riding horses through town. The fat fried empanadas stuffed with fresh tuna and cheese were irresistible.
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Moai at dawn

Hanga Roa town - main street

Tapati Rapa Nui festival body painting competition

Sunset over the water

All the Moai (except 7) faced inland towards the villages

Once the eyes (made of coral) were in place, the Moai became alive

Moai abandoned at the quarry

Volcano quarry where the Moai were carved

The largest Moai at 21 meters high, lies half finished

The statues were carved leaving a keel which was later removed

Still unfinished

Cutting made in the rim of the volcano to get the statues out

The red top knots were a later style

Rear view - the platforms they sat on were altars

The crater of one of the many extinct volcanoes on the island

Petroglyph on a rock at Orongo ceremonial village

Could The Incas have made this platform?

All the Moai were destroyed in the 19th centuary, not all have been restored

Folk dancing reminds us that this is Chile after all