Dag 15: Isla de Pasqua

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Na het inleveren van de huurauto en na het inchecken voor onze vlucht morgen, en aangezien Dirk zo verkouden is dat we de duik van vandaag moeten afzeggen, besluiten we in de plaats Hanga Roa te blijven en op souvenirjacht te gaan: op pad naar de artesanal market tegenover de kerk… En we hebben zeker wat mooie spullen kunnen kopen….!
Dan onze buit naar het hotel brengen, de travelblog bijwerken en dan lunchen bij Kai Mana, waar we heerlijke spaghetti tonijn hebben gegeten.
En we kunnen het toch nog niet laten: snel nog een souvenirwinkeltje in en wat spulletjes kopen…
Terug naar het hotel, want morgen gaan we vliegen en Dirk is toch echt verkouden… 😞


Lonely planet:
Hanga Roa: population: 3800
With all the attractions almost on its doorstep, Hanga Roa makes the obvious base for visiting the island. Although it’s pretty touristy in season, it has so far managed to keep its small-scale charm and an unhurried pace of life. It boasts excellent facilities, with various accommodations options, a decent restaurant scene, a handful of buzzing bars and even the odd nightclub to keep you active until the wee hours.

Diving & snorkeling:
If you’ve ever dreamt of diving in gin-clear waters, Rapa Nui is hard to rival. The lack of pollution, runoff, particles and plankton guarantees maximum water clarity - 40m is the norm, but it can reach a phenomenal 60m. Another highlight is the dramatic seascape, with numerous vertigo-inducing drop-offs, chasms, caverns, arches and overhangs, giving the sites a peculiarly sculpted look and an eerie atmosphere. To top it all, the environment is still pristine.
However, don’t expect throngs of fish obscuring your vision. Though far from being poor, marine life on Rapa Nui cannot rival other South Pacific destinations.
It’s diveable year-round. Water temperatures vary from as low as 21 gr.C in winter to almost 27 gr.C in summer. Most sites are scattered along the west coast, with Motu Nui as a prime dive and snorkeling site.

Shopping:
Hanga Roa has numerous souvenir shops, mostly on Av Atamu Tekena and on Av Te Pito o Te Henua, leading up to the church. The best prices are at the open-air Feria Municipal. The Mercado Artesanal, across from the church, has more choices.

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