Dan Park's Homepage

May 23 – 24

On Saturday, May 23rd, we awoke while it was still pitch black to get to the airport to catch our 8AM flight to Easter Island. (Apparently, Easter Island is treated like an international flight and we needed to check luggage so we arrived at the airport two hours before our departure… though we probably could have been OK with less) =)

After a quick breakfast at the airport, we boarded our flight which was again plagued by mechanical problems (this time, no air conditioning while we were trapped in the ever increasing heat).

 
However, we did enjoy a spectacular sunrise over the Andes!

After our long flight, we arrived at Mataveri airport (IPC) on Easter Island where we were greeted by warm, humid weather and flower leis!

Once we had dropped off our belongings at the hotel, we discovered that our client (and host) was with a TV crew working on a documentary show. For the remainder of the afternoon, we walked around the small town and walked to a nearby archaeological site to appreciate the views…

 
Colorful boats in the harbor. Easter Island reminds me a lot of the Dominican Republic… except for all the Moai sculptures, of course! =)
 

Our first glimpse of an ahu (platform) with several moai (sculptures)

After meeting with our client that evening, we were told to spend the next day soaking up the sights of the island to get a better sense of the history and culture of Easter Island. And, so, off we went for the next day!

Ahu Tongariki – The site with the most standing Moai (restored):


  

      
Rano Raraku – The volcano where the Moai were carved and from where they were transported all over the island:

   
“Secret Worlds” – The Travel Channel crew filming for a documentary:

Anakena – The beach and restored Moai:

Raro Kau & Orongo – A volcano and site of a ceremonial city of the Rapa Nui:

Ahu Tahai – Sunset:

And now, to get back to work… =)