Hititairagi, Rapa Nui, Te-Pito-o-te-henoua, Tekaouhangoaru - you will break the language until you learn how to pronounce these names. By the way, they all belong to the same territory that we know as Easter Island. Yes, yes, this piece of land, known for its stone idols, as soon as not called. In a word, a mysterious land that can not be defined with its name.
For most of the inhabitants of the Earth, Easter Island is associated with something mysterious. One of the main questions of humanity - how did these 10-meter idols get there - is still unresolved. Tourists flock here in the hope of unraveling the mystery. But they return home, hung with souvenirs and ... without reply.
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How to get here
Easter Island is part of the Chilean region of Valparaiso. This province is headed by the governor, whom the president appoints.
You can get to the island in two ways, and both are costly. The first - on a tourist yacht or cruise ship, which sometimes come here. You can go on your own travel and in a couple of weeks go to the port.
The second way is air. On the island there is an airport that accepts flights from the Chilean capital of Santiago, Tahiti and Lima. The flight schedule depends on the time of the year. For example, from December to March, you can fly only once a week. In the remaining months - twice a week. The flight from Santiago lasts about 5 hours.
Search for tickets to Santiago (the nearest airport to Easter Island)
Transport
All the sights of the island are close to each other, and the territory itself is small, it can be safely bypassed on foot. On Easter you can take a taxi, bike or rent a car.
The average cost of renting a car is $ 80 per day, along with a full tank of gasoline. By the way, you should always fill up completely, because there is trouble on the island with gas stations.
It's almost impossible to get lost on the island, as there are only two roads here.
Beaches of Easter Island
There are several beaches on Easter Island, but it's best to choose Anaken. Local residents even warn that they can swim only on this beach. I wonder what's going on with the others?
On the sandy beach there are several cafes, and in general the local landscape looks like the Black Sea coast. Only instead of the sea - the ocean. And since there are cold water trays on the beach, Aborigines trade sweets and other snacks, the smell of shish kebab is in the air. Especially bored in Russia can buy cheburek.
Kitchen and restaurants
The island is small enough cafes, where you can inexpensively grab a snack. The menu should choose seafood dishes. For example, a soup or a tuna steak. In general, steaks here are very good - from meat and fish, with potatoes and greens. Local beer is soft and very pleasant.
Some restaurants are very close to the water. They stand on piles, while one of the walls of the owners of the institution can be demolished so that visitors admire the view of the ocean.
Easter Island hotels
On the island there is a single city in which you can stay at the hotel - Hanga Roa. Most tourists prefer mini-hotels, not network operators. The cost of living is rather large, a room for two levels of 2-3 "stars" can cost from 3-4 thousand rubles. All because many goods to the island are imported from the mainland, which increases their price.
The hotel business is also one of the main on the island. At the airport, each new plane is met by a crowd of locals who vying to offer accommodation in hotels or in their homes.
There is a camping on the island - you can pit a tent here or rent a very simple room for little money. By the way, with the Internet. To get to the campsite, you need to find at the airport a guide with a sign of Mihinoa - the name of the place where you stop.
The shops
The sale of souvenirs is one of the main sources of income for the islanders. In shops and shops you can buy idols of different sizes, from pocket to 2-3 meters. The main thing is that you can take this piece of wood out of the country to your homeland. Particularly popular are statues of kavakava - either a person, or a ghost.
Among other aboriginal amusements are magnets, necklaces, beads, hats, bandages, embroidered shoes.
- To visit the festival "Tapati" is a unique festival, which has no analogues in the world. It takes place at the end of January or early February. "Tapati" is a cross-section of Easter Island culture, not an export option, but a real one. Aborigines sing, dance and measure strength.
- Feel yourself as the navel of the earth - for this you need to climb the ceremonial platform of Te-Pito-te-henua. Its name in translation from Rapanui means "The Pup of the Earth". Yes, it is here that the most important and most important place of our planet is located.
- To think up your legend about moai - and after telling it to local people. Residents of the island adore listening to the version of how the statues appeared on Easter. You will be listened attentively, maybe they will write down your story, if it is unique, and put in a collection of works of tourists.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Easter Island
The main Easter attraction is the giant moai statues made of stone.
Moai
Stone moai are carved from petrified volcanic ash. These are stylized human figures on short torsos and with outstretched heads. Absolutely not handsome, and it is not clear who was the model for the ancient sculptors.
Moai stand along the coast and look at the island. It is difficult to say what their mission is, but hundreds of books have been written about the history of their occurrence, movies have been shot, and there are still no clues. Someone thinks that they were brought to the island by aliens, others are sure that only giant people of three feet could do such statues. Another version - these idols themselves came to the island, but later forgot how to walk and stayed forever.
There are about 900 statues on the island, most of it is located near the Rano Raraku volcano.
Volcanoes
The craters of the volcanoes Rano Kau and Rano Raraku are another attraction of Easter Island. It was from the remnants of Rano Rarak that moai were made. The pits of this volcano are scattered unfinished statues.
Inside Rano Kau is a breathtaking view - the crater is filled with rainwater and all is dazzling, like a heavenly comet.
The village of Orongo
The ceremonial village of Oroh is located on the edge of the Rano Kau crater. She became famous for her landscapes. In the village there were earlier ceremonies dedicated to the bird-man. In the village you can find many cobblestones on which the image of the god Make-Mack and the bird-man is carved.
Hanga Roa Church
This is a Catholic church, known for wood carving. Looking at it, you might think that the building itself is carved from wood. Craftsmen are engaged in this, and on Sunday there are music services.
Photo of Easter Island (17)