NEW YEAR'S DAY - 2020


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    Rapa Nui (Easter Island)  is a true faraway destination. It is the most western of the Polynesian Islands and lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is over 2300 miles off the coast of Chile, to which it belongs, and 2500 miles from Tahiti. The nearest inhabited island is Pitcairn Island, (population 50) 1289 miles away. While its claim to fame is the over 900 carved statues, called moai, my amazement is how Polynesians, around 500 AD, found the place at all! It's only 64 square miles in size!
     I rented a car and just drove around the island, listening to the radio, stopping and staying at the archeological sites as I pleased. It was sort of like Hawaii, but not quite. The music was sort of Polynesian, but not quite. There were a few tourists, but not many. It was as I imagine Hawaii was 75 years ago.
     The photo above is of two sites in the Rapa Nui National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  They are located close to the only town on the island, Hanga Roa. To the left is Ahu Vai Uri. "Ahu" refers to the base, or platform upon which sit the moais. Note the arrangement of stones in front of the actual ahu.  It is believed that this group was created around 1200 AD.  All the standing moais in the National Park have been restored to some extent, as they were all toppled and damaged by warring factions sometime between 1722 and 1838.
     The single moai on the right is Ahu Ko Te Riku. This moai is 17' high, weighs several tons, and has been totally restored. On top of the statue itself is a red cylinder, called a pukao. This is either a hat or a hair bun, and is carved from red lava found in a different location from the quarry which contains the tuff, or solidified volcanic ash, from which the moais themselves were carved. This moai is also the only moai with eyes on the whole island. It is thought that the moai were brought to the ahu, then the pukao was placed on it, then the eyes were carved. In a special ceremony the coral and obsidian eyes then were inserted and the moai "came alive".  It could then use its spiritual power, or mana, to protect the tribe. All the moai face the interior of the island.
     During the year to come I'll throw out a few more facts about this unique place, as well as more photographs.
     In the meantime enjoy the New Year!

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 4, 2020 at 12:51 PM

    Wonderful Sylvie! What a great way to start the New Year...carried away to a faraway place of mystery and beauty by a dear and gracious friend! Thanks as always for sharing the wonder of your adventures! Can't wait to see the calendar!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. RosannJanuary 29, 2020 at 9:20 PM

    So beautiful and interesting. Thanks so much for sharing this Sylvia. These days I travel vicariously through you. Where are we going next? :-)

    ReplyDelete

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