EASTER ISLAND is neither easy nor cheap to travel to. Having said that, it should be on everyone’s bucket list to see. Don’t expect five-star hotels, haute cuisine or a vast array of cultural activities in which to engage. Do expect one of the most amazing adventure travel trips that you can ever imagine. A Chilean territory, Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui in the island’s native tongue, is one of the world’s most remote, inhabited islands. To get there, a connection through Santiago is required. Once you arrive, don’t expect to see hustle or bustle. Part of this island’s charm is its simplicity and natural beauty. Of course, the main attraction – the moai – dot its landscape. These 900 monumental statues, created by inhabitants during the 13th–16th centuries, feature carved human
figures with oversize heads. But, the moai are not the only game in town. Lesser known, but equally important, are the petroglyphs found throughout the island. Carved into rock, Easter Island has one of the richest collections in all of Polynesia. Around 1,000 sites with more than 4,000 petroglyphs are catalogued, featuring a concentration of Birdmen at Orongo. Other subjects include sea turtles and Makemake, the chief god of the Tangata manu or Birdman cult. One of the best ways to see the island is to rent a bicycle for the day and pedal around. Visit the moai on your own or venture to Rapa Nui National Park. Cruise down to the beach and feast on a picnic of items you bought in a Hanga Roa market. Take the time to truly unplug and live.
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