Easter Island

Today we made our arrival off the coast of Easter Island known by the locals at Rapa Nui at about 8:30am to an overcast sky with light rain.  Just before noon the sky began to clear.  We went ashore by the ship’s tenders at Hanga Piko pier near the island’s largest town of Hanga Roa.  Easter Island today has approximately 3,500 inhabitants, most related directly to the earliest Polynesians who settled here during the period 400-700 AD.  There are three extinct volcanoes (Terevaka, Poike, and Rano Kau) on this small South Pacific island.  Over the years, the inhabitants cut some 890 giant stone statues called Moai during a 300 year period.  The Moai are tall reaching up to 15 feet and weighing nearly 14 tons.

Here are some of the Moai’s and a photo of Curt on the hillside quarry where the statues were carved before being relocated.

For the next two days we will be at sea again.  On Sunday, February 6^th we arrive at Pitcairn Island where the mutineers from the Bounty ended their voyage.

Satellite Connection Again

For the past 24 hours we have been outside what they call the satellite footprint, meaning we haven't had Internet or TV during this period.  We are some 386 miles to the Northeast of Easter Island this morning and have pretty good connection now.  Hopefully, we will retain communications.  But, the South Pacific is noted for areas where there is no communication. 

This is our 4th day at sea since departing Lima, Peru.  Yesterday the winds reached 25 MPH causing pretty rough seas.  The ship was rocking and rolling.  We thought it was fun, but many passengers remained in their staterooms. 

When we arrive at Easter Island tomorrow the ship will be utilizing tenders to transport us to the island.  Looking forward to our return to this extremely remote location.  Easter Island is one of the world's most isolated, yet inhabited islands in the world.  It sits 2,000 miles away from both Chile and Tahiti.