Around the World in 119 Days...and then some!: Day 25: Easter Island

We started the day with two objectives: visit the museum and hike up to the nearest volcano. The museum is a roughly 20 minute walk from our hotel which of course involved a dog following us for most of the route. Luckily this dog traveled alone and apparently just wanted the company. When we got to the museum there were quite a few other dogs strolling around waiting for other tourists to befriend. Despite the distraction we spent about an hour in the museum getting the history of the island and background on the Moai statues. The information involved estimated time periods and methods of carving/transportation of the Moai. Also artifacts on tools used to make them and other tidbits about the Rapa Nui culture.

After the museum more dogs accompanied us to lunch.

Next we began our ascent up along the coast toward the old volcano of Rano Kau. Along the way up we had to walk around some wandering horses but no dogs came along for the long hike.

The earth's plates have shifted over many years and what remains is a crater with no possibility of future volcanic activity. The crater presents a unique climate protected from wind by the sides and plants and other vegetation grow here not found on any other parts of the island. The view itself is spectacular and it's amazing to think what it might have been like when the volcano had erupted.

We then followed the windy path along the rim of the crater toward the remains of an old village called Orongo. The village was used only in the Spring by the Rapa Nui people for rituals. The area is now protected lands and run as a national park. Being high along the rim of the crater the views are stunning and dramatic as one side falls off into the sea and the other side falls deep into the crater. It is extremely windy up there and certainly not recommended to lean over for a better look.

(Archana & Ilana trying to fight the wind)

(Orongo Village)

After our trek back down to town we rested up for a bit and went out to dinner at a place along the water. Most businesses are closed on Sunday, especially during the low season. The dogs followed us home and the female looking for human protection decided to lay down outside our door for a little while before moving on. We could hear a few of her gentleman callers growling at each other as we lay down to go to sleep.