Chile > Easter Island (Rapanui)
by Ale Mcalister

Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in front of Caldera, 3.700 km from the continent and 5 hrs flight from Santiago, the island rises over a large submarine platform that emerged as a result of three successive volcanoes.

The strategic location of the island turns it into the main connection point with countries of the Oriental Pacific. Its position allows it, at the same time, to be an important centre for weather, oceanic and aerospatial research.

Myth and reality are mixed in Rapanui, a triangular shaped island with 180 m2 of surface. It is an archaeological resource important at world level for the mystery of its gigantic stone statues called moais. It's native inhabitants were Polynesians who enjoyed a peaceful existence for centauries until the population grew beyond the islands capacity to sustain them. Combined with poor recourse management the islanders fell into conflict, build underground strongholds and most of the population perished with the demise of many of the last survivors by Western diseases.

However there is still a small native population and now listed as a World Cultural Heritage preserve by UNESCO, this island is an important landmark within the tourist circuits of Chile.

Its archaeological vestiges turn it into an extraordinary must-do visit. As it is the farthest geographical point from any other land, the inhabitants call it Te Pito or Te Henua, “The World’s Navel”. The “Speaking Tables Writing” called “rongo rongo”- These are carved on “toromiro” wood, a native tree that has almost disappeared. Currently, work is underway to try and recover it.  Ale Mcalister, independent tour guide