Chile & Easter Island: Easter Island

by Jean-Bernard Carillet

Discover Chile and Easter Island. Includes FREE planning and background information. Easter Island (Rapa Nui to its native Polynesian inhabitants) is like nowhere else on earth. Historically intriguing, culturally compelling and scenically magical, this tiny speck of land looks like it-s fallen off another planet. In this blissfully isolated, unpolished gem it-s hard to feel connected even to Chile, over 3700km to the east, let alone the wider world. Just you, the indigo depths and the strikingly enigmatic moai (giant statues) scattered amid an eerie landscape. When the moai have finished working their magic on you, there are dead volcanoes to climb, motus (islets) to dive or snorkel along, and waves to surf. And there-s no better ecofriendly way to experience the island-s savage beauty than on horseback or from a bicycle saddle. Once you-ve had your fill of hiking and clambering, gawking and gasping, a couple of expanses of silky sand beckon (with not a jet ski in sight).

Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2009