Every traveler dreams of going to Rapa Nui (aka Easter Island) to see the mysterious moai statues along Chile’s corner of the Polynesian Triangle. But as we realized the first time we explored South America, it is seriously out there, like 3,500 kilometers off the mainland and another 2,000km to the nearest neighbor. But this fall, my lucky stars aligned for a coveted spot on the @AdventureTravelAssociation 7-person trip with @MaururuTravel, and I jumped on that plane across the Pacific! Standing at the volcanic quarry, where the sculptures of the Rapa Nui ancestors were carved for 400 years, was like standing in a National Geographic Magazine, yet it still posed so many questions! How were these ancient people able to carve and move 30-foot-tall figures, weighing up to 80 tons, without any beasts of burden or machinery? The Rapa Nui people believe the moai possess “mana,” a supernatural power, and when you feel the magic of this place, it somehow makes sense. While we knew Rapa Nui was a world-class archaeological site, we didn’t realize the remarkable resilience of its people. By the late 1800s, the island’s population was decimated by the outside influence of disease and slave raids, and their numbers got as low as 101 people. This vulnerable island became part of Chile, which proceeded in 1903 to lease it to a British livestock company, allow the seizure of locals’ lands for grazing, and confine the people to the town for over 60 years. It wasn’t until archaeologist William Mulloy’s team started excavating the fallen, grown-over moai in the 1960s, that Rapa Nui’s cultural renaissance began, and their honor was restored. Today, 40% of the island is protected as a national park, children are learning the Rapa Nui language in school, and the local pride for their unique Polynesian heritage is felt in everyone you meet. From the majestic moai to the white sand beaches, lava tubes, and Polynesian dance-offs, see these photos and videos for a glimpse of Rapa Nui's wonders...
