Adventures for Anyone: Jenn Wants to Get Away From it All...Easter Island!

As I perused Jenn's bucket list, I noticed an item that would allow us all to get away from it all. It's also a particularly good time of year to run away to Easter Island!

Most of us are aware of the giant stone figures with long heads and sometimes enormous hats that inhabit the island. We are aware that the Rapa Nui inhabit this island as well. Then what? What else do we really know about this mysterious island?

Easter Island is one of the most isolated places on Earth. It belongs to Chile and lies almost 2300 miles off that country's coast. Strangely, its closest neighbor is a mere 1200 miles away at Pitcairn Island. Pitcairn Island is the most isolated place on Earth.

Isla de Pascua, or Easter Island, is a mysterious place of volcanic craters, giant sculptures, traditional peoples, sea turtles and some original traditions.

The indigenous peoples have only been there since sometime between 800 and 1200 AD. The exact time of their arrival isn't clear. The Rapa Nui are Polynesian people who immigrated to the island centuries ago.

Today, the area inhabited by the some 1,000 sculptures is a national park. It is easily approached by car or other vehicle. Wear you walking shoes, because there's a lot of land to cover. Other areas that are commonly visited by tourists are Rano Raraku, believed to be the quarry where the stones originated, and Orongo, home of the fort like dwellings within a crater where it's believed people once lived. Some of the in ground buildings in Orongo align with certain celestial bodies at certain times of year, leading scientists to believe that they may have been designed as observatories.

Just a sidebar: Robert Doherty wrote an entire series of books called "The Area 51 Series." It's one of the best series of books to find stories of Easter Island in the later part of the series.

Easter Island was once an active volcanic area. There are a few massive craters on the island, and hiking is permitted in most areas. The entire island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many protected areas and animals. Hiking is a popular activity on Easter Island.

Sea Turtles are king on Easter Island. The species of Sea Turtles that live on the island are beautiful and reproduce there as well. But, poaching is a huge offense and highly illegal, so don't harm the turtles.

Easter Island has all the expected activities. You can go to the beach and scuba dive in season. Unlike some other South Pacific islands, Easter Island is less temperate. It can get too cold to swim in the season that we call summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In our winter, beaches are a great place to spend the day.

Have to add another sidebar here, and I find this fascinating. Where I live, we all know of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. As with most polar events, there are Southern Lights or Aurora Australis in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not common to see the Southern Lights on Easter Island, but it does happen. If you happen to be on Easter Island during March or September, there is a chance you could see them.

The Rapa Nui welcome visitors. Most people, 90 percent, live in Hanga Roa, the island's only real town. Here you will find the small airport that you can fly in from Tahiti on LAN Airlines from. It sounds strange to me that the travel hub in the area is in Papeete. You can also visit by any number of cruise lines in season and may be able to include the Galapagos Islands in that way. Winter, by our standards is the high tourist season and it will get crowded...for Easter Island. Population on the island is somewhere around 7,000, so it doesn't get crowded by American standards.

If you like seafood, Polynesian food, or foods from South America; you will be happy eating on Easter Island. Seafood is the staple, so don't expect much else. The Central Market is a good place to find souvenirs in Hanga Roa, and visiting the Ballet Kari Kari is a must. The Rapa Nui enjoy sharing their culture, whether it be through language, food, crafts, or dance and music. If you attend events you will learn about their culture, and it is a rich one.

Dance is the featured cultural item most of the year, but in February there's something else. The Tapati Festival is a cultural festival that takes place the first half of February each year. There are traditional games and sporting events, including a triathalon, Rapa Nui style. There are events of sledding banana trunks down mountains and surfing canoes on the ocean, as well as many other exciting events. It's the height of the warm season there and a great time to visit.

Hanga Roa is full of hotels and resorts from basic to luxury to ecological. The choice is yours. You can take a tour that includes Easter Island and have a guide the whole way. You can come in by South Pacific cruise if you like and also have guides. You can always take a tour with a local guide, which would be my favorite choice. I also wouldn't stay at a resort, because I would want to interact with local people.

Easter Island is a mysterious place and should be respected. Don't dive without a guide. Don't hike without at least a map. Don't expect to find American food or shopping. Learn a little bit of the language; just a phrase or two out of respect. Go with the flow and respect the ways of the locals.

Do I think you should take a tour to visit this place? I think that I might consult a travel agent to make arrangements, but I don't think you need to book a guided trip. A cruise might be a good idea if you have the time to spend on a boat for a very long time. That being said, if you do, it could be a great trip. I wouldn't rent a car, even if you can. I would make arrangements with locals to see this island. Bigger companies might miss something fabulous.

When should you go? Interesting question. November to April is the height of tour season there. March through September can be a bit cool, but it's never truly cold on Easter Island. Sometimes cooler and less crowded are better. If you want to catch the Tapati Festival, you must go the first two weeks of February. It depends on what you want to see and do.

Most cultural activities happen year round. Remember, there are barely any trees left on Easter Island, which has that Iceland effect. It can be windy, whether it's hot or cold, so dress for wind. Wind can also be a factor in boating. Obviously boating, diving, fishing are all popular activity options on Easter Island, but be aware that the weather can change boating plans in an instant. Also, if you wish to sail yourself to the island, be aware that the South Pacific can be treacherous at times.

There are a few activities that are exclusive to Easter Island. The Rapa Nui are known for their traditional tatoos, which are well worth checking out. They make a hell of a souvenir. There are lava tubes and caves that you can hike to with a guide, some of them overlook the ocean and have quite a view. You can take lessons to learn the dances that you see at Ballet Kari Kari. The lessons are only available at certain times during the year, so check ahead before you book if you are interested.

There are many things to do on Easter Island. You will find bars and clubs as always, so don't think that you've completely gotten away from it all. They are designed for the traveler, so don't expect to see locals hanging out there. There are museums and visitor centers in key areas. They have a wealth of information about the history of the island and its peoples. I always try to learn while I visit.

Easter Island is one of the most exotic places on Earth to visit. The mysterious sculptures are what bring us there, but the people and the culture make us want to stay. Always check the State Department for Covid-19 and other recommendations when visiting anywhere. Also know that as of January 2022, this trip is truly a bucket list, because the island is currently closed to outsiders. Hopefully that ends soon.

When you do get to visit, dive into the culture. This is the kind of place where you can go and live in another world for a short time. There are so few places in the world where that is possible. Take the chance, take the plunge, take the one airline out of Papeete to Easter Island and enjoy!

http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/easter_island/

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https://www.easterisland.travel/places-to-visit/rano-raraku/

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