Scattered across the 63-square mile Easter Island are 887 intimidating human-like figures. The moai have stood on this isolated island, discovered by Europeans in 1722, in the Pacific Ocean since they were carved (between the 10th and 16th centuries) by the Rapa Nui.

This monoliths have been weathered across the centuries, and the stone blocks are slowly, but irrevocably reverting to their original state, as the environment takes its toll on the faces and torsos that were carved into the massive blocks.Easter island

At Ahu Rongariki, 15 moai stand on a massive stone platform – an ahu – near the island’s coast, their backs to the sea. Ahu Akivi’s moai face the sea and overlook a ruined village. Averaging 13 feet tall and 14T, the effort to construct and move these silent statues would have been considerable – the moai were carved with stone tools and then transported without draft animals or wheels for up to 11 miles – but the magical moai remain mysterious, as does the reason the Rapa Nui people even did it.

Scholarly speculation is that the statues honour ancestors, chiefs and other important people, but with no written and very little oral history in existence, it’s unlikely we will ever know for sure. By 1877, slave traders and disease had decimated the Rapa Nui population and they numbered just 111. Today, some 2,000 Rapanui live on Easter Island, which belongs to Chile.Easter island

Rano Raraku’s volcanic eruptions created the stones from which the majority of the island’s moai were carved and the nearby quarry was left in a fascinating condition, home to around 400 statues, which appear in all stages of completion.

Rano Kau is a volcanic feature on the south-western end of the island, a massive crater with a freshwater lake and an array of vegetation in an otherwise barren land. As with many islands, seafood is plentiful and therefore affordable: even better, it’s very tasty – try the local kana kana fish.Easter island

The moai, all of which had toppled by the 19th century, are situated across Easter Island and visitors are able to hike, bike and ride across the terrain to see them.

Getting there

The Polynesian society that blossomed in this isolated island somehow found their way across the vast Pacific Ocean in wooden canoes. Fortunately, it’s easier to get there today – although a five-hour flights from South America and 1,100 miles from its nearest neighbouring island – long service flights operate from Santiago, Chile and Tahiti.

There is plenty of accommodation on offer on the island, despite its remoteness, but it won’t be a cheap holiday, for that same reason. However, it’s guaranteed that your memories of this once-in-a-lifetime trip among the magical monolithic moai will be priceless.

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