This is a two part trip report of my spring break trip to Easter Island and Columbia. I used 57,500 American Airlines miles and $11 to fly business class Lan Airlines to Santiago. the value of that ticket was $3,688! We then bought a round trip business class ticket to Easter Island, only $329, with a partial refund from my Citi Prestige card. Upon landing, you buy your park ticket, which includes admission to all sites.
We stayed at Tekarera Inn four nights and purchased a package deal, which included our accommodations, full day tour, and a one day rental car. It was the perfect amount of time to spend there and we saw all the standing moai!
A must do on Easter Island is sunrise at Tongariki and we did that one morning, and we also saw it other times during our drives. The island has one road that rings most of the island and another road through the middle. You can easily drive it (without stops) in a half day.
Even though there’s no written record, researchers believe the 900 giant moai on the island were created in the image of chiefs. They all face inward, away from the sea for protection. They are very important to the Rapa Nui people, the natives on the island. The ahu is the mound or pedestal upon which the moai stand, and are about four feet high.
Tahai was within walking distance of our hotel, and I went every night for sunset pictures!
Orongo is known as the Stone Village and was a ceremonial village during the birdman era. The houses in this village are all made of stone, built to withstand the strong winds and gales from this exposed part of the island.
Rano Raraku is the quarry where 95% of the moai were carved out of volcanic ash and where 397 remain, some standing, some leaning, and some flat on the ground.
Anakena Beach was just beautiful and the very last place you expect to see on Easter Island ~ you just don’t think of palm trees, sandy beach, and moai together!
Here are some stats on the moai averages: height is over 13 feet and weight is 13.8 tons! This trip was a dream come true and I’m so glad miles and points enabled me to see this part of the world!
Wow!! That’s truly a once in a lifetime adventure. Looks breathtaking!