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Published: June 20th 2014
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View from Pano Pao
Just outside of Hanga Roa. Easter Island, if you look at it on a map, is shaped just like a triangle. Over the last couple of days, I've mainly explored to 2 tips of the triangle; today I set out for the point. This section of the island is dominated by Mt. Terevaka, which is the highest point, but really is still basically just a big hill. Also in this area are a few more moai, especially the great group at Ahu Akivi. Before getting to Akivi, though, I went by Puna Pao, which is where the topknots for the moai came from, or those red looking rocks that stand in for moai hair.
This was an interesting sight, and there were some great views across the island and back down into Hanga Roa, but I especially enjoyed it because of the lone dog that seemed to be the caretaker for the place. I mean Puna Pao is a pretty remote sight, down a long road, but still this dog trotted up when I arrived, and seemed to be welcoming me. I know he just wanted food, but he followed me for a bit, and then when I left he was sitting back at the
Pano Pao
This is where the topknots came from,,, or the moai hair. entrance. Made me laugh. And just another example of how animals of all sorts just roam freely across the island. You never know when you might run into a dog, horse, cow, or even a cat. A lone chicken also walked through the restaurant I ate in tonight.
I then saw Ahu Akivi, which is unique on the island because these moai are the only ones that have an inland location and that look out to the sea. All of the other moai look inland. This place is also near to a great lone moai back on the beach called Akapu. Other than that, I randomly decided to drive back out to Anakena beach in the afternoon, mainly just because I love this drive across the island. The road cuts right through the heart of the island, and especially towards the beach, you reach these great hills of grass, and awesome views out towards the ocean. Back at Anakena I basically just sat in the sand, and happened to strike up a conversation with what I could tell was a disturbed American. He was in the first phases of what I like to call arrival disturbia. It's where you've
View North
That is the part of the island I'm exploring today. just arrived but haven't quite figured out the country, so are in this weird in-between place where you're questioning why you made such a long trip in the first place. Symptoms of this problem are searching out people from home to talk to for a bit of peace of mind. I've definitely been there many, many times, so was happy to be that person on the other end that provides the comforting talk. He should be better in a day or so.
Ended back in Hanga Roa with some great pineapple chicken, and seeing again an Aussie tour guide who was setting up in a bar to play some blues. Then played with my dog friends at my standard cafe. They're both cute, but I like the one who sleeps at my feet and occasionally comes up for a quick pet on the head. Tomorrow I have a full day in town before flying off to Santiago at 11 PM. This plane marks the first of many homeward.
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