Woke up with Easter Island outside our window! Heard the boat that is kept right to the left of our room being lowered. Got a picture as it was being lowered into the ocean. There are two onboard and they spent most of the day taking us back and forth. Everyone was super excited. The staff especially. Seems it is very unusual to have calm enough seas to let the passengers get to the island. One couple said this was their fourth time to visit and first time for them to get off the ship. Lots of staff including the captain went ashore.
Walked to where the restaurants are and ate fish at the Pea which means turtle. There were huge sea turtles in the waters on the right side. In the left side there was a sheltered sea area where people were snorkeling and swimming. Eastern Island is volcanic and has a Ragged Point look. Huge waves with surfers completed scene.
Our tour started after that and we appreciated the air conditioning. Although in the low 70’s was humid. The island has three main areas to see the famous statues.
The statues did not disappoint and looked just like you see in pictures. In fact, the pictures show more details. The settings were what impressed me most. They evoked wonder at how they were made and placed without modern technology. Huge! Lots of reddish volcanic rocks everywhere. Walls of piled up rocks for fences in many places. Also noticed piled up rocks in oval, square, and round shapes that looked they may have been used for shelter. Maybe past homes?Horses are allowed free range. Saw many of them grazing just beside the road and f fields. The land provided just scrubby vegetation. They did not seem to notice us whizzing by. Beautiful especially the colts. Saw a few loose cows too.
A few facts. 3,300!inhabitants in the only town of Hanga Rea. The Rapa Nui people are the original inhabitants. Easter Island is part of Chili.
Colinda has a grandson who made her a booklet of phrases to say in every county we are visiting. This was the first stop that used something other than Spanish. We tried hello in Pascuan and got positive feedback. Hello and Goodbye are the same.
Iorna (Yo-raw-nuh)
Not many pictures today. My phone got overheated just like I did. It just went black. Now it is working. Checked it out and found that it needs a new battery. Really? How many Apple stores in the South Pacific? Guess I will find out. Colinda took some pictures and I will have her text me over a few tomorrow. We are at sea tomorrow . Iorna.
Where in the world is Dalna 