A flight to Madrid from London was followed by a much longer flight to Santiago, Chile and then after a day or two I continued flying west across The Pacific Ocean for 2500 miles until the legendary little island appeared in view - The Navel of the World and arguably the most remote inhabited island on our planet.
I know I was there but even now I have to pinch myself to believe it. I even got to blog from Easter Island and this is what I wrote on October 28th 2009:-
"So dear visitors, I made it to Rapa Nui, Isla de Pascua, Easter Island which ever you choose to call it... and I am not disappointed I can tell you.
On Monday I scrambled down inside Ranu Kau crater to a unique microclimate, sheltered from the worst of Pacific gales and from the encroachment of disease and human interference. I felt like Simon in "Lord of The Flies", gasping in the thick green jungle undergrowth and further along the crater lake´s tangled edge I discovered a huge rock inscribed with petroglyphs from long ago.
For the first people of Rapa Nui, this was their entire world and I feel privileged, even a little humbled to have this opportunity to witness first hand palpable evidence of those lost and distant times. I´ll tell you more when I am not in an expensive little internet cafe where speed of internet access is clearly not a priority but hey... blogging from Easter Island.... isn´t that just amazing anyway!"
I walked for miles in the week that I was there and saw as much as I could - even hiring a vehicle for a couple of days from the owner of the little lodging house where I stayed - in Hanga Roa which is the island's only settlement. How I would love to go back there and see some more - perhaps join an archaeological expedition - but I guess I never will. But I have been there and I will remember it to the end of my life.
Offshore islets
ReplyDeleteWhat I find fascinating about these "ancient" civilisations is that they are not as ancient as one might think. As with the Inca, they existed within the last 1,000 years or so.
What an amazing spot to see up close and personal!
ReplyDeleteEaster Island has dropped off my radar recently. thanks for the reminder
ReplyDeleteThere are books about Easter Island? Fictional tales or educational? Travelogues? I barely remember where it even is and will have to check the big old atlas. You were so lucky to go there.
ReplyDeleteThe water is not Mediterranean blue, but a deeper and richer shade of blue.
ReplyDeletehttps://behindthelines.moadoph.gov.au/2015/the-fallen/monumental
I remember your previous posts about Rapa Nui, and it certainly is a fascinating place - and an even more fascinating idea. As you say, to its first inhabitants, that island was their entire world. They had no way of knowing whether there were other humans anywhere, or how much vaster this planet is than what they were confined to. But somehow, the first people must have landed there from somewhere... maybe other places were a distant, collective memory, like a legend.
ReplyDeleteI remember your blog about Easter Island not so long ago. It looks a fascinating place to explore. Not many tourists, just people like yourself with a genuine interest in the history and culture.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about how they managed to exist on such a bleak, craggy little island. Their diet must have been very limited?
ReplyDeleteFish, no chips.
DeleteA once in a lifetime travel experience. It's amazing how they transported and made those stone statues.
ReplyDeleteWe all need those "pinch me to show this is real" adventures in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you made that happen, Mr. P. That is definitely one regret you will not have.
ReplyDeleteYou have had some great adventures, Neil! I had to google it to find it on the map as I wasn't sure where it was. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat, a marvelous treat.
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