Today was the day to lay down our trusted guide book and take an official tour of the island, guided by one of the islanders. A very informative day starting at Ahu Vaihu on the south coast where the enormous ruined ahu and the 8 fallen moai stand testiment to the clan warfare and the destruction that took place in the late 17th century. It was then on to Ahu Tongariki where 15 moai have been reerected, after the tsunami of 1960 destroyed the site, by a Japanese company who took a moai back to the Osaka musuem as part of the payment. These moai are facing toward the quarry where the moai were all carved and away from the sea. A fantastic site!
Next it was on to Rano Raraku, both Don`s and my top site. This is the birthplace of the moai where you are able to see around 300 to 400 moai in various states of formation, including the kneeling moai, the 21m giant moai, some just heads sticking out the grass and many carved into the quarry. Fun seeing how many we could spot!
After lunch it was off to see the magnetic stone and the largest moai that ever stood (Ahu Te Pito Kura). According to oral history, a widow erected this moai to represent her dead husband. The magnetic stone is reputed to have come on the boat with the king of the island and to have been used as a navigation tool en route (from who knows where!).
Our final site of the day was the beautiful white sand beach of Anakena, the landing place of Hotu Matua (the king), where there are 7 moai which are thinner than others on the island and a lone moai with a very wide face. The sun was shining and the waves were a calling so a swimming we went. We left the beach happy but a little lighter as my sunglasses were gifted to the creatures of the sea. Damn those large waves!
Another night of terrace chilling and pasta at the hostel (penny pinching required on this island!) left us happy campers.
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