EASTER ISLAND - THE LAND OF GIANTS

                                                   EASTER ISLAND

                                                                                               THE LAND OF GIANTS

                   Easter island is located in the pacific ocean. The people who live on this island call it Rapa nui. But the europeans visited here, named it Paaseiland meaning Easter islands, because they arrived on easter sunday. Today easter island is a part of South American country "Chile". Easter island is only 23 km long and 11 km wide. But its the most isolated island in the world, the nearest land is about 3500 km away.

              Although the island is small and isolated it is famous for its huge stone statues of people. They are called moai. there are more than 600 moai on the island. It is belived that these moai were carved after 700 AD. Interesting thing to note that is all the moai does not face toward's the sea.

 

           No one knew why these statues were built for, many believe that the statue honored important people who were revered as gods after their death. 

         Archaeologists have a different explanation on these statues. It is considered that these native people are polynesians. this island was covered by rich and thick vegetation(found from pollen samples). The natives lived a rich life of having cocunut, bananas, fish, polynesian rats, etc.. They formed clans and want to display their strength and skills by erecting huge statues. They cut down every single tree in island to use it as firewood and building materials. when the europeans arrived they found barely a single tree on the island and found all the people were thin and weak. Without trees, the streams dried up, food resources depleted drastically, without logs there are no boats it means there is no means of escape.

          Easter island attracts around 100000 tourists a year. best time to visit the island is during October to January. Note that the island is in southern hemisphere so when its winter in north, summer in south and vice versa.

        I recommend that every person should give it a visit in lifetime.

Make use of covid-19, book tickets now to reduce the travel expense and enjoy the post covid visit.

THINGS TO PACK FOR EASTER ISLAND:

1. Hiking clothes: easter island is warm so you need hiking clothes.

2. water proof jacket - you can't predict the rain

3.trekking boots - trekking without trekking boots !!

4.sandals - easter island has so many beaches!