Easter Island, CHILE
Airing Date: Jun 19th, 2006
Easter Island or Rapa Nui is a tiny speck of land in the South Pacific. Located in the South Pacific between Chile and Tahiti, Easter Island is truly one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world. Not to mention one of the most mysterious.
Hangaroa is the small capital town of the island. This is where the great majority of the island population lives (about 2,000 inhabitants of a possibly 2,500). Amidst an atmosphere of friendly Polynesian hospitality, the entire island is an open-air museum with more than 600 Moai stone statues, some up to 27 feet in height. Easter Island is a territory of Chile., therefore, the main language spoken on Easter Island is the Chilean variant of Spanish. The natives call Easter Island Rapa Nui, which means navel of the world. Admiral Jacob Roggeveen (Dutch) landed on Rapa Nui/Easter Island on Easter Sunday in 1722. This is why it is known as Easter Island outside of the island itself.
Anakena is a beautiful white sand beach on the island that stands out from the rest of the coastline. It's here that legends say the Polynesian King Hoto Matua landed his double hulled canoe, thus beginning the occupation of Easter Island.
Distinct clans formed as the population increased and various population centres grew up in different areas of the island. One thing tied them all together however - the statue construction and the cult that formed around it. It's unclear why the Easter Islanders turned to statue construction on such a massive scale. Their obsession with it ultimately brought about their downfall as they depleted more and more of the forests for use in the process of moving the giant Moai.
If you can't get to Easter Island to see the Moai you can actually see real Moai and replicas in various museums around the world. Originals can be seen in the British Museum in the UK and the Louvre Museum in Paris. Originals in Chile can be seen in the Fonck Museum, Vina del Mar and La Serena. Reproductions can be found in museums in Chile, Japan and the USA.
Due to concerns coming from residents on the island, the Chilean Government has stepped in to take measures to protect the Rapa Nui Heritage, by limiting the influx of foreigners to order to avoid further dilution of the sites - this includes Chileans themselves!
Further Information
LAN Airlines return to Santiago from $2459 ex east coast, $3423 ex west coast. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
LAN Airlines
1800 221 572
www.lan.com
Prices correct at 22/5/06
4 day package
From $570 a person. Based on twin share. Price includes taxes. Subject to availability. Conditions apply. Includes accommodation, breakfast, tours & transfers.
BFirst Travel
1300 763 338
www.bfirsttravel.com
Prices correct at 19/6/06
