Just stroll around in Hanga Roa and other Easter Island, Chile Off The Beaten Path Tips

We loved it just to stroll around in Hanga Roa. To enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, to do some (window) shopping, to discover the markets, to smell the tropical flowers, to meet the very friendly people from Rapa Nui or to check our e-mails in an internet café.

Another nice spot to walk around is the small harbour (caleta) with the small fishing boats and a couple of moai.

Most of the (small) shops are along the "main" streets, Atamu Tekena and Te Pito te Henua; where they cross each other is a small park. Afterwards we finished with a coffee or other drink on one of the terraces and watched the slow pace of Hanga Roa life.

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In Hanga Roa you can will find a couple of small 'supermarkets' and of course the Municipal Fair (at the junction of Atamu Tekena and Tu'u Maheke) where one can buy fresh fish, fruit or vegetables.

Just opposite the fair we found on our Saturday morning some vendors selling fresh fruit. We bought a fresh ananas, which was ready for consumption after a couple of blows with a big knife. We never had such a nice ananas.

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On Sunday we had to get up rather early to visit the mass (at 9.00 am) in the Church of the Holy Cross.
We walked from our residencial Tahai through the quiet streets to the nearby church.
Suddenly there was rumour and a lot of people in front of the church were waiting to enter.

Rapanui as well as foreign visitors were visiting this mass. Try to be (rather) early to get a seat, otherwise you will have to stand for one hour or so.

The mass itself was in Rapanui, Spanish and sometimes a little bit English. But most impressive part is the singing in the original Rapanui language, which is supported by music. The Rapanui people sound so enthusiastic and it worked infectious on the crowd.

Although we are not religious at all, it was a great experience.

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After visiting the ceremonial site of Orongo or just the crater (lake) of Rano Kau there is an alternative to get back to Hanga Roa.

Just opposite the lookout along the road to Orongo starts a well sign posted walking track along the slopes of the volcano down to Hanga Roa. During our descent from the top of Rano kau (350 m.) we constantly had a marvelous view on Hanga Roa and the wild coastline. We did meet on our way down some wild horses.

The walk takes about one hour. Be sure you take some water with you, because the sun may burning on your head.

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Most of the visitors to Easter Island are heading for Anakena beach for a swim.

But just north of Hanga Roa (400 metre away from the little harbour) is a sea swimming pool in the rocks. Just have a nice swim or relax on the (grass) beach in the shadow of some palm trees.

There is also a watchtower for observing the sunset or the seaview.
Around the beach were a lot of carved rocks made by local craftsmen.

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'Tahai', just north of Hanga Roa, has three ahu (ceremonial altars). This is the best place to make that ONE picture of a typical Easter Island sunset. It means with an orange or red coloured sky, some clouds and moai in the foreground.

'Tahai' has a kind of grass amphitheatre with a splendid view to the moai and the ocean. On the night I made my pictures there were about 50 people looking and waiting for the sunset and to make their pictures.

Be sure to be in time, because the weather may change or the sun may sink very quick into the ocean.

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That is the informal name of Ana te Pahu. One of the many caves on Easter Island.
These kind of caves were used as houses or storages. Ana te Pahu has two entrie and is almost 100 metres long. It is very easy accessible.

If you are hungry: take a banana !!

Ana te Pahu is situated along a bad gravel road between Ahu Akivi and Ahu te Peu on the west coast.

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Although not the main interest of the (foreign) visitors to Easter Island, it is possible to do some (sea)swimming and sunbathing on the island. There are acouple of beaches at Ovahe and at Anakena. Both on the north coast of the island.

Anakena is the largest and most wellknown of them. It is not only the white sanded beach with the crystal clear sea and palm trees, but also the view on the moai on Ahu Nau-Nau, which makes this beach very popular.

Although there are some drink and eat booths (in the high season) it is better to bring at least your own water. Other 'problem' is you have to find transportation to the beach. If you don't have a rental car/motor/scooter your best bet is to take a taxi. Anakena Beach is about 20 km's from Hanga Roa.

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