Easter Island is one of the world's most mysterious destinations.
With a distance of 2,300 miles from Chile, it is the world's most isolated inhabited island.
About 5,800 hardy descendants of the ancient Polynesian settlers (Rapa Nui) remain on the island today.
There are 638 Moais, or giant stone statues, left over from the Rapa Nui civilization, which flourished before sickness and tribal conflict decimated their population. In Ranu Raraku Volcano's quarry, the majority were carved in soft rock packed. It's hard to believe that the folks who erected these statues termed this serene location, complete with breathtaking views and gentle tradewinds, "The Center of the World." The mountain's slopes are also home to more than 300 unfinished Moai sculptures. discount
Somehow, the statues were carved out of the quarry wall and shipped to other Ahus (ceremonial centers). Working stopped after the Moai tribal battles, and the survivors were left on their own. After a while, the elements took their toll, and many of the structures were completely destroyed or buried.
Statues of Ahu were constructed on stone platforms facing the villages and the sea, one for each tribe in the land. These sculptures depicted ancestors watching over the various tribes. The island's eastern side has the only Moai statues that face the sea. A clairvoyant priest had dreamed that the world was going to end, so King Hotu Matu'a dispatched these seven sculptures to follow the rising sun and find new territories for his people.
The statues can be interpreted in a variety of ways. A Moai looks to be kneeling at Ranu Raraku, for example. Some people think it's a priest, while others think it's an ancestor guarding the quarry from evil spirits. This is where you'll find the island's tallest and largest Moai. Still affixed to the quarry rock is a 65-foot-tall half-carved statue laying on its back.
Rapa Nui was referred to as "a subtle society of lovely women and compassionate men" by a Dutch commander who arrived on Easter Sunday in 1722.
The majority of the hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs are located in Hanga Roa. The Hanga Roa Crafts Market is a great place to pick up a unique souvenir. There's some background information to be found at the Padre Sebastián Englert Anthropological Museum.
After the tribal battles, the Rapa Nui employed the Birdman cult to rebuild their culture. Many families vied for control of the manutara's nesting egg, which was found near the settlement of Orongo. Swim to an islet, find the first bird egg there, and bring it back to shore unharmed (sometimes among sharks). The winning entry will be Tangata Manu (Birdman).
In total, 53 stone dwellings and petroglyphs now adorn Orongo, including those honoring flora, the Birdman, and the legendary Rapa Nui deity Make Make.
Easter Island was developed by a succession of volcanic explosions, which led to the development of 800 caves.. It's been stated that 7,000 meters of caves were used to hide from hostile tribes by the people who lived there. Contrarily, access to these caverns is no longer a challenge.
For instance, in Ana Te Pahu's natural garden, sunlight passes through a hole and nourishes the plants. The Ana Kai Tangata cavern, which has a view of the Pacific, has prehistoric depictions of The Birdman.
Because of their age-old nature, the sculptures, petroglyphs, and tunnels on Easter Island are as timeless as the monuments they stand next to. The enigmas that surround it are as well.