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At the end of the Earth
It took some effort to take this self-portrait and not fall down the cliff, but I think it was worth it. Easter Island..... there is so much I want to say, but just can't describe (my English is getting rusty, but really this place is hard to put to words). So you must rely on my photos and what little else I can offer.
This island is an enchanting and mystical place. I spent my first morning watching the sunrise over a row of moai (the large statues) which was spectacular in spite of being briefly interrupted by a rain storm (which seemed to just add to the mysticism). I then drove all over the island with a rental car (surprise, there are cars here) seeing the sights and hiking volcanoes (dormant but still spectacular). The one volcano, Ranu Raraku, was the birth place of the moai and all over are abandoned statues that were carved out of the side of the volcano, but never moved to their intended sacred locations. A very powerful place...
I spent a day riding a horse from one end of the island to the other and back again. This was, needless to say, amazing for many reasons... I was able to see places that you can't get to by car (namely by cliffs),
I felt like I was flying at the end of the world (the horse should've been called runs-like-the-mother-fuckin'-wind-and-won't-stop), I rode up volcanoes and by wild horses (they are all over the island!) and of course rode by moai. The only downside to this experience was that having not been on a horse since I was in Peru, I've been walking funny ever since. Thankfully though, I was able to register my walk with the Ministry (you can imagine my surprise to find a branch of their office here on Easter Island!)
As enchanting as this experience has been, I have to say that next time I come back, I will definately be sailing here (John John, can I interest you in joining me?). Nothing against the Boeing767 with its TV monitors at every seat, its selection of over 30 movies, radio stations, playlists, video games, ceramic plates and real silverware, but it just didn't seem like I was about to arrive on the most remote place on Earth. Thankfully, although having mobile service and internet connections on the island, it has been well preserved and globalization has skipped over the island entirely (thank god there were no McDonald's). That
Not a bad place to anchor...
JJohn, kept thinking how great it would be to anchor here. Are you in? being said, I did meet someone from Wycoff, New Jersey who went to Ramapo High School back in the day (they were my high school's rivals). Small world. I also spent time with a fun lovin' Londoner, Antony, (who dear, me dear, gay dear?) who I could recite Monty Python with, a Nowegian girl who had more alarm clock gadgets than one could possibly need but never could figure out in her sleep how to shut them off (love you Karen), and a local who ended up showing us around the island's more mysterious and mystical places (Macho Nacho). I have had an incredible time here and hate for it to come to an end. Alas, I am off for Tahiti tomorrow, how will I ever manage?
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Robin Witt
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horse and water
Hey Steph....love the photos. But don't let Bud know you've been riding other ponies. Miss you!