Rapa Nui
Rapa Nui is the indigenous name of Easter Island, and the name of the national park on the island - in fact, the whole island is part of the national park. It's a volcanic island, with still two large craters: Rano Kau and Rano Raraku.
Rapa Nui is considered one of the most isolated inhabited places in the world. Almost 2000 km distant is Pitcairn, the closest inhabited island. Its 4100 km to Tahiti and 3700 km to the Chilean coast. Nevertheless, Rapa Nui belongs to Polynesia, a geographic area defined by an imaginery triangle whose verticles are New Zealand, Hawaii and Rapa Nui itself. All the islands have a common cultural tradition, whose roots extend back to the second millenium BC.
Around 400 AD, Rapa Nui was colonized by Polynesians. They arrived in big canoes, and took with them many cultural elements that had developed on the other Polynesian islands.
The most characteristic cultural feature of Rapa Nui are the huge moai, found all over the island. These figures were created to represent the important ancestors of each clan. As time went by, their forms became more stylized and they increased in size.
Visit March 2002
I spent 5 days on Easter Island - making a dream come true. Reading the books by Thor Heyerdahl as a child, I never imagined I would set foot on this remote island. But times have changed the last 15 years: travelling around the globe has become much easier and cheaper.
As has to be expected, I didn't find a lost paradise here. It's quite an expensive destination, geared to the wealthy western traveller. But I had a fine time here. I walked, cycled and drove around the island. From ahu with or without moai to petroglyph to vulcano. Rapa Nui is an open air museum in the best sense of the word.
The sight I probably liked best is Tongariki, the ahu with 15 moai in a row. Maybe that's because this was my reward after cycling 2,5 hours on Easter Island's roads that know no shade.
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
Aaron (USA):
I think that Easter Island is about the most intriguing place on earth. I lived on Oahu for 3 years, and the only thing that disappointed me was how it catered to American life. I would change my life in a second to live in a place that people know that money doesn't bring happiness. That you could enjoy every day you're alive because you are with your friends and family, living in the best place on earth. |
| Date posted: May 2006 |
Kaitanu (Rarotonga):
Kia orana koutou, Hi and welcome to you all. I would just like to acknowledge the people of Te Motu, 'Rapa Nui' and express my undying passion for our beautiful Pacific Island people. I proudly come from the blood line of Rarotonga, Atiu and Manihiki in the Cook Islands and would like to acknowledge the similarities within our two cultures of Rapa Nui and the Cooks.
Firstly, our langagues are very close for example, Cook Islanders say 'Kia orana' while Rapa Nui say 'Iorana' (hello). Also Cook Islanders say 'Pea koe'? while Rapa Nui say 'Pehe koe'?. Our dance is also very similar we both hula or Ura. It is amazing to trace back thousands of yrs ago and discover that our pacific Island people are linked in one way or another. Our ancestors were great navigators of the sea and they have the most extordinary stories to tell of their voyagers and the history of their vaka's (canoes) that tie us to our current land. Kiaorana, Meitaki Maata |
| Date posted: March 2006 |
Nicole (USA):
Okay, so I didn't really read your site. But I didn't actually have to, I mean my dad is from Easter Island (believe it or not). So as you can probably guess I have pretty strong ways of juding someone who talks about the Island. I in no means am trying to be mean, but put yourself in my shoes. I've visited there only twice, but have had Rapa Nui in my blood all my life. You all can go to visit,and judge it the way you would like, but by all means you really have no idea what life is really like for these people. My Grandma had 17 children, most of which still remain at home on the island. I have seen so much life through these people's eyes, and they get so much pride out of so little. So when you visit and say that it seems kind of expensive, look at how the people actually live. In shacks! If this was your only way of making money was toursits, then you would do it. So before you judge these people imagine picking corn, running a bussines for very few people, or raising horses just to feed your family. You wouldn't make it one day, while these people have made it a lifetime. So don't judge, look deep in the souls of the people there. In all honesty they can teach us Americans a way of life we would never want to live or could live. But you know what, they are the most happiest people alive, beause in there eyes they are rich because they have family, friends, and all the essential's of life. So take time to get to know the Island before you judge it, because believe it or not it can teach you a life lesson, even if you just speak English. Oh yeah believe it or not my Uncle is the Mayor of the Island Julio Araki. Look up the Araki's if you ever visit they will treat you just like family, they are mine! |
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gabriella (Australia):
hi .i am a girl living in nsw australia.My parents are chilean and i am very interested in the head stones on chile's easter island.i know that the island is off the west coast of chile and that it has a very interesting culture.I am involved in a chilean dance group and through dancing i have learn't alot of spanish and about the agricultuer of Chile.I know about the history of chile but i would like to know more about the culture of easter islan.I hope that more people will become interested in Chile |
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Dana Hagstrom (Sweden and the U.K.):
I spent 2 weeks in Rapa Nui last year. the plan was to bring a tent and sleepingbag, to keep the costs down on accommodation, but amazingly it turned out cheeper to rent a room in a lady's house than to pitch my tent up on one of the camingsites.
The island is truly beautiful. The atmosphere and the hospitality amazing. The family I stayed with did their very best to look after me, show me their island and include me in their everyday activities. I couldn't have wished for anything better.
Now, the only thing that spoiled this little paradise, was the way it has been exploited to the American tourists. There is this massive hotel which has been built, where the prices are sky-high of course, and designed to cater for the "rich and comfortable". It is such a shame. Thelocals, of course, are happy for the money they can make, but it makes you wonder what the travelagents who exploit places like this think of?! The whole charm, the exotic feeling this island gives you will disappear if they try and change Rapa Nui to yet another tourist-trap.
None the less, I will definetely return to this little paradise. Just as much for the amazing scenery and magic nature as for the kind people and their culture. |
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