Easter Island Moai
Moai Easter IslandFrom the many places on Easter Island, our trip (Ahu Tahai and Rano Raraku) went through the town of Hanga Roa to the Ahu Tahai group of five moai, who lived about 690 AD on a large ahu in a renovated place with a round sanctuary and two single moai, the Ko Te Riku, with characteristic obsidional eye and blank shell or cord eye, added for a mediumature and showing the eye as it was intact.
They were overturned during the eighteenth century clashes, but about 50 were rebuilt and brought into a standing posture in the sixties by the archeologist William Mulloy, who is near by, and other explorers. Since we were on a group trip, we were in a hurry and could not really run free.
On the slope near the Moai there were a few handicraft stands, and that was good, there were several dealers, a good selection of articles, and folks were good in English and very supportive. It is definitely a must on Easter Island, although everything on Easter Island is "must see", we wish we had 3-4 of them.
Staying on the island would be so much better, and it would allow the visitor to see the sculptures in different lighting conditions from dawn to dusk, it is also quite a gap between the places and a long way around the island. When the winds and waves are too strong, it is a risk for the passenger to get into the tender, and often the vessels cannot call at the island.
Just think if you had gone on three or four different trips, which allegedly took place on Easter Island and which you always miss due to the theater. Wish the tourist leaders would collect more and better information and exchange it with the tourist who know how difficult it is for everyone to come to Easter Island.
Finding out that I got the best information about Easter Island from the renowned Fonck Museum in Valparaiso, Chile, the tour leader there was telling me more about the local population and the Easter Island story in 15 mins. than I got during a half days excursion on the island. In front of the Fonck Museum there is also a genuine Easter Island Maoi.