Day 16 Easter Island

Rapa Nui, to give it its proper name is an extremely remote place. The island lies approximately 2200 miles from Tahiti and equal distance to South America. The giant stone monoliths (Moai) have puzzled Westerners since the Dutch seaman Roggeven first made landfall on Easter Island on Easter Sunday, 1722. The mystery of the island’s first settlers remains just that – a mystery. Most anthropologists believe the island was settled as part of the great wave of Polynesian emigration. The oldest Moai is approximately 1300 years old. The society that produced these statues flourished during the 16th and 17th centuries, but population growth, deforestation and food shortages led to its collapse. Today, Easter Island has a population of approximately 3400. Strangely enough, we didn’t find any mini eggs! We had a long time on the Island with not enough sun protection on, so I’m keeping out of the sun today, Phil and I are both just a tad too red. Last night’s entertainment was the juggler again, this time Phil was in the front row. He was in quarantine the last time the juggler was on stage, so obviously wanted to have a pick me pick me moment. And he was! Alas, I didn’t have my camera with me. Another leisurely day at sea, then we sail by the Pitcairn Islands, but which way shall we go?