Isla de Pascua

Day 6, Part 3 Wed. June 13 Easter Island Full day tour. . ….
We visited the quarry at Rano Raraku volcano, where 95% of the Moai statues were made, still with hundreds of statues left here. There are many remnants and partially completed Moai here. Some are gigantic: 20m (65ft) long and just under 200 tons. Slaves did NOT carve, transport, or erect the statues. The clan chiefs went to the quarries and negotiated the cost for the statue. The tribes paid for the carving, the transport and the erection. We had a catered picnic lunch here: bbq chicken, bbq ribs, salad, small banana, roll. It was very good.
On our way to the “most tropical beach” on the island, we saw Te Pito Kura. Following this we had an hour at Anakena to play in the surf or walk around. It is considered the cradle of history and culture for the island. Here the first king landed and established his settlement. We did NOT see the Moai of Ahu Nau Nau (7 Moai) which was promised on our handout. I think it was actually at Anakena, but the guide did not point it out. ?older single statue of Ahu Ature Huke
We got back before 4 pm and then I went souvenir shopping and finished my statues, magnets, and t-shirt purchases. After a cold cut sandwich for dinner, I went to the pier to watch surfers and the sunset.
Pictures: 1-Ahu Tongariki 2-4-quarry and the only Moai kneeling and with legs 5-6-Anakena moai and beachRead more