Easter Island
Easter land is a small, hilly volcanic island some three thousand kilometers west of Chile. It is not frequently visited but it is well-known for its unique archaeological monuments. The island got its name because Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutch sailor, visited the island on Easter Sunday, in 1722. I had the opportunity to visit the island a few months ago, and I was surprised that this small, hilly island with the mysterious stone statues would be so impressive.
The first thing I wanted to do was to see the famous statues. These huge statues, which are ten to twenty feet high and weigh up to twenty-five tons, are an amazing sight in the middle of the barren landscape. Exactly how and why they were used and how the statues were moved to where they are remains a mystery. According to local tradition, the giant statues 'walked' to where they now stand.
After my visit to the statues I took the pathway that leads up the side of the Orongo volcano. The view from there is spectacular! I felt like I was in the middle of absolute nothingness, and in fact, towards the south there is no other land until Antarctica* Next, after a long day of incredible sightseeing, a refreshing swim at the Anakena beach was just what I needed.
Visiting the island was a fascinating experience. It opened my eyes to a whole world that until them was unknown to me.