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Published: August 7th 2007
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After spending a freezing cold night in Santiago airport (I had forgotten the weather might not be the same there as it was when I was there 4 months ago) I was introduced to the delights of the LAN Chile in-flight entertainment system - you can chose from about 20 films, loads of programmes and 300 albums and watch or listen to what you want went! After so many 18 hour bus journeys in Brazil spent staring out into the dark, 6 hours just wasn't a long enough flight for a full range of entertainment options. The flower necklace I was presented with at the airport just didn't make up for being wrenched away so soon from my wee screen, I could have done with a couple of flights round the world.
That wasn't the only new concept I was introduced to on my trip to Easter Island - they also had RAIN! And not just a wee bit, lots of it! Of the 7 days I was there, it rained torrentially for 4 days. But of course, my Scottish training came back to me and I just put on a ridiculous looking poncho and went out and got battered
Orongo crater
Although it's not called that - I've only been away a week and I can't remember what it's called, but it's right next to Orongo. The birdman bit where they set off to swim to the island is on the right of the dip by the wind and rain. On the first night there, I met up with Caroline and Charlie, who I had travelled with on Dragoman between Ushuaia and Rio, and who had been due to only be there that night at the same time as me, but because their flights had been changed, they ended up spending an extra 4 days there. The first full day I was there was definitely a museum day due to the rain, and I went to see some of the maoi, the statues, that were near the only village on the island. The next day I did a full day tour of the maoi on the south coast, which was definitely worth it although it rained on and off all day.
That night, after having met Caroline and Charlie for a drink, we were walking up the road when a group of dogs came charging out a house and one of them sank its teeth into the back of my leg. Well, sank its teeth is maybe a bit dramatic, but there were definitely teeth marks in my leg. Luckily it seems to be ok and hasn't got infected, and I suppose if you've
Birdman cult
This is where those who were competing for the dubious pleasure of living in isolation for a year after having all your body hair removed, including eyelashes, set off to swim to the further away island. They were looking for the first egg of the sooty tern, and after they'd climbed down the cliff, swum 2k, climbed up onto the island and found the egg, they swum back with the egg in a headband without breaking it. I suspect they didn't know why they did it either. got to be bitten by a dog while travelling, Easter Island is where you would chose, given that it's so far away from anywhere, there's no chance of rabies. I think, although I did notice I was running round in circles this morning...
Anyway, there wasn't as much drama the rest of the time I was there, it involved dodging the rain and having some very nice days outs. I walked up with Charlie and Caroline to the crater at the edge of the island, the name of which I've forgotten already, but it was right next to the old settlement of Orongo. Another day I hired a bike and climbed up the highest hill on the island (only takes about an hour and a half). It was a really bright sunny day, and I only saw 3 other people on the hill, very peaceful at the top, and you get a 360 degree view of the sea, with obviously, nothing else around. On my last day I hired a bike again and went along the coast to the quarry which we'd gone to the first day, but hadn't been able to climb inside the crater because of the
rain. Got to see inside it (pictures still to come).
So that was Easter Island - a week of eating powdered soup and noodles, torrential rain and a highly dramatic dog bite, not to mention very big stone heads everywhere. I really liked it, it was an island that was big enough to explore for a few days, and also very safe and relaxed.
From Easter Island I flew back to Santiago where I sensibly spent the night in a hostel, and then flew on to Mexico City the next day, just by coincidence leaving South America 200 days after I had arrived. Both flights were without the new entertainment system, it was a long haul.
So now I am in Mexico City, seeing as many sights as I can, including going to the Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling on a hostel trip (Mistico, who always wins, lost and to my delight, one of the other wrestlers was called Shocker), a couple of museums and hopefully tomorrow going to see Frida Kahlo's house and the house where Trotsky got the ice pick. I'm planning to head to Oaxaca after Mexico City, but I don't want to get ahead
Pensive big heid
Just having a wee think. This is at the quarry of myself and keep you updated, I'll have to wait a couple of months before I tell you about it!
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john Ferry
non-member comment
dug bite
Hi Mo, as always lovely to follow your travel blog. I hope you bit that dug back! Apart from that sounds like you're having a wonderful time. Keep posting the photos and updates. Take care, John x