"Rapa Nui ..Mystery or Metaphor" Easter Island by cochinjew

Easter Island Travel Guide: 628 reviews and 1,507 photos

Ariki who signed the treaty with Chile - Easter Island

September 9, 2003

Today is the anniversary of the annexation of Easter Island by Chile. On September 9, 1888, Capt Poilcarpo Toro Hurtado claimed Isla de Pascua for Chile..
This day of celebrations in Hanga Roa is not without the resentment, the islanders have felt towards Chileans, the kindest of all colonizers, if such a thing should exist. The good news is that the Govt of Chile is considering autonomy for Easter Island freeing them from the disinterested people of the Fifth region based in Valparaiso.
He was not the first european to come to Easter Island.. there were many... and they still come.. now to be humbled by the mystery that is Easter Island as well as the Metaphor of destruction it offers our planet..

The Legend of Hotu Matua

mural at ariki te pana

One evening, as Hau Maka lay beneath the full moon on the island Marae-toe-hau, he had a dream.
The dream sould of Hau Maka flew towards the rising sun and she passed above seven lands, each of which she inspected. But none of the seven was to her liking. So she continued on her journey, flying farther, over the vast and empty ocean, and for a long time she saw no lands below, only the rolling sea, until finally she reached a sandy shore. Here the dream sould descended. She stood upon a glistening white beach and saw in the water the fish Mahore. Then the dream sould walked acorss the land and saw plump fruits of all colours, which she tated and were to her pleasure. Each fragrant flower she smelled, plucking a white one to tuck behind her ear. And then the dream soul climbed to the highest point on the land from where she could see the ocean and sky meeting all around her. As she loooked at the island, she felt a gentle breeze coming towards her..
Here was where she wanted to live.
When Hau Maka awakened, he found the King Hotu Matua and told him what his drema soul had seen.
We shall find that land, said the King..

The legend of Hotu Matua, and the discovery of the island
Te Piyo O Te Henua

All the Island is a museum

Archeological sites on this very small island...
1048 houses ( hare paenga and ana paenga )
560 stone chicken coops ( hare moa)
840 statues (moai)
202 petroglyphs (ancient stone and rock carvings)
599 caves and cavern like caves (ana)
587 agricultural constructions
1754 constructions without classifications
Altogether 5590 archeologicla sites in this very small island and each with their particular stories.
So it is very important that you go with a knowledgeable guide, particularly someone who has lived in the island for years..

Pros and Cons

Pros:Magnificent Destination for a traveller
Cons:You would enjoy more of the island if you read up on it before
In a nutshell:Try and visit Easter Island and leave only footprints

Last visit to Easter Island: Sep 2003
Intro Updated Sep 23, 2003
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Reviews (30)

welcome drink in rapanui - Easter Island

The Aussie Easter Island Connection 2 Off The Beaten Path (7)

Much of the information written under the local customs tips are from Grant McCall, who is director of south pacific... more travel advice

Rapa Nui and Pinochet Local Customs (10)

Rapanui under the military dictatorship flourished and Army strongman, Augusto Pinochet Ugarte visited the place three... more travel advice

Recent History Local Customs (10)

Recent history. After an unexpected "revolt", really a cargo cult in 1914, the Chilean government began to send regular... more travel advice

a chilean child on holiday in rapa nui - Easter Island

Chile and Rapa Nui Local Customs (10)

In 1934-5, a Franco-Belgian expedition spent about half a year taking down the most complete ethnological record to... more travel advice

Restaurants (2)
See All The best empanada in town
Things to Do (8)
See All Museum of Archeology of Rapa Nui

Travelogues (1)

Written Oct 10, 2003

5 photos

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Comments (3)

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Slightly1 Sep 20, 2006 at 11:06 AM

Thanks for the historical information. Recent history in english is ard to find., or tainted
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elpariente Jun 27, 2006 at 2:54 AM

Buenísimas tus fotos y el texto de tus comentarios sobre Rapa Nui Yo soy de orejas largas
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nomada Oct 17, 2003 at 1:11 AM

Great info Sudah !! So, there is a flight from Tahiti? Hope to go soon. I'll print your pages. Saludos .