First stop Ahu Akahanga - almost like a graveyard with multiple Ahu, "boat" houses and ovens
Thought to be the burial site of the first king Hotu Matu'a
First stop Ahu Akahanga - almost like a graveyard with multiple Ahu,
"boat" houses and ovens
Toppled Moai on the Ahu
Close-up view of the toppled Moai (head first)
Front view of the toppled Moai on the platform
Some "Top Knots" lay separated from their Moai
Other possible ruined Ahu
Long view to another Moai and Ahu - in the distance a cave (dwelling place)
Toppled Moai (could get quite close in
2004)
Looking back to Ahu Akahanga and other Ahu
Entrance and inside of the Cave
Rock coloured stata and floor markings - looks like Easter Island outline and
not likely to be ancient (personal opinion)
Hare Paenga (houses)
Umu Pae (hearths for cooking)
Hare Paenga (houses)
Overview of site - Hare Paenga (houses) and Ahu Akahanga
Growing areas
Long view of our next stop: Rano Raraku (The Quarry)
At the entrance the first structure is a hen house. A loose rock as a door
blended in, so that poachers were flummaxed
Long view of the quarry (In 2004 the
paths were not
finished so free reign of the site - including Crater)
Varying depths of burying
Panorama looking at the volcano
One of the taller moai
An "oven" seemingly randomly placed for aesthetic value plus welcoming
sign
One having a snooze on the way out
An ancient "boat" house
One big fello, though actually two - laying "nose to tail"
Looking out
Two Moai under construction - nose to tail
Moai in the recumbent posture
Suzanne continues her exploring of the Quarry
The kneeling Moai - the only Moai showing feet
Those feet
The kneeing Moai and the site to come
The landscape from the Quarry
Leving, and a look back
I think we're being watched
The almost finished Moai (nose to tail pair at the bottom) - Other "in progress" Moai in the rock above....
Look for the slightly rounded "feet" and the nose (follow the
pointers)
Ruined Ahu and Birdman house beyond (according to 1914 map of K Routledge. See
map extract)
On right Base Toromiro 3 linked with the protection of the endemic Toromiro tree
on Easter Island
Newer signs have the "ng" written an N with G looking tail
Long view of the 15 restored Moai platform (between 1992 and 1996
A Tsunami in 1960 scattered some of the already toppled Moai across the site
The stones show the do not go beyond this line
Topknots lay abandoned on the site, though now gathered together as a single
exhibit
Laying on site, tgis was thought to be Moai 16, but uncarved eye sockets
suggested otherwise
A Full frontal
The platform an possibly burial rea in front *depending on what you read)
The Ahu from behind
A mini platform/chamber behind the Ahu
In 2004, round the back another Moai was
"under construction"
The travelling Mai - in 1982 it was sent to Japan for Trade Fairs.
Lunch Time
Barbeque at the family house of Mahinatur in Hanga Roa.
Lunch for some - Chicken ws lso available
The Navel of the World
Legend has it that the first King, Hota Matu'a brought this stone with him, and
that
the stone possesses a dose of Mana - the spiritual power bestowed by the gods.
Apparently it's probably a local stone, but high iron content that may
affect compasses if held close to it
A toppled Moai, reported as being exactly as it was when toppled.
Hen house - Guide said the flat top levelled with the horizon of the sea
As well as the fine Ahu Nau Nau there is a great popular beach
Ahu Nau Nau, restored in 1978
Around the back - back carving, petroglyph and an old Moai head used in platform
reconstruction
Two unrestorable topknots on a platform extension
Ahu Ature Huki
First Moai re-erected on the Island onto its original platform in 1956 by Thor
Heyerdahl
In 2004 visited when the light was better
Another Platform on the other side of the bay
The local beach
Back at the Hotel - our room with a view
Building work going on
The other way is better, though
Veranda seating
Later a walk round Hanga Roa in search of another sunset
Church of the Holy Cross
Some of the stained glass windows
Internal artwork
Stained glass window featuring turtles, bird man imagery and RongoRongo
(see larger image)
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