Create your Trip Journal [click here]After the long trek from New york, we arrived in Santiago without delay. Arrangements had been made for transfer to our home away from home. Once we settled into our rooms we made a break for the city and did a little self-touring in the afternoon. In the evening, we had reservations for a Chilean Folk Dance and Dinner show. Which was quite enjoyable to watch.
Free day in Santiago. Love free days! When we sat down for breakfast we noticed a small Easter basket on the table via the hotel staff on this Easter Sunday. Such a great thing to wake up to. We decided to partake in the Santiago City tour with the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus. Such a great way to learn about a city without the tour guide. Loved the fact that we could literally hop-on or hop-off at any stop we liked and explore more around that particular area. Which we spent most of our time at Bellavista and the Central Market.
Booked a tour for Valparaiso, which was declared World Heritage cite to visit. The city is absolutley beautiful. Full of so much history and culture. The homes are colored with bright brillant piants. Such a diverse city from upscale living to the beachshores, Valparsiso is a city to find it all!
Our final free day in Chile, we decide to take a day trip to the Andes mountains. Such an adventure to get to the top of the mountain with 61 curves of 180 degrees! But what a sight once we arrived at the top. There was no snow since the peak season is August but still such a sight! Enjoyed hot chocolate as we sat on the resorts deck and looked out over the mountain range!
We set out to Easter Island this morning. Our flight was delayed due to rain and foggy conditions for 2 hours. After the short delay we arrived in Easter Island without incident! Met out tourguide, Chris, who transferred us to our lovely hotel. After settling in, we made our way through town and sought out the Artisian Market. There is so much artistic talent on the island!
Stepping out into the morning light, we noticed a rainbow in the sky. We spent half the day doing an archaeological tour of the Orongo ruins and of Rano Kau volcano. Wow! The scenery here looks as if it came right from a painters easel. The beaches of Easter Island are breath taking as is much of the rest of the scenery. The history of the island and the culture is absolutely amazing. We could see moais around the volcano from the road we traveled on. This grew our anticipation. When we finally arrived at Rano Kau we were able to walk amongst the moais. Mind boggling to think that we were walking once where those who carved the moais from the quarries had. One of our last stops of the day was the Row of 15, Ahu Tongariki. My friend and I became the 16th and 17th moais! Fantastic day!
Our first stop of the day was Volcano Rano Raraku, the largest volcanic crater on the island. Over 100 meters deep in the middle. The reeds are so thick that if one knows the correct path you can make it across the crater on horseback. We were not brave enough to try! The Orongo trail was our next destination. This trail was where the Birdman Cult lived and held the yearly Egg Ceremony.
After stopping and spending time at the site where the only Moai on the island with eyes stood, we set out for Ahu Akivi. Here seven moai stand on a single platform. Also at the site was a cremation pit for the kings. We toured a few local caves and finally stopped at Puna Pau. This is the quarry of the top knots. To think of the amount of men and strength to remove the top knots from the quarry then transport them to the moai sites is magnificent. Such a magical and mysterious land.
We dreaded leaving Easter Island. Would loved to have stayed much longer. Flew from the island to Santiago back to the States. Since arriving back home. Both myself and my friend have longed to return to the magnificent Easter Island!
