Blogs from Easter Island, Chile, South America - page 3

Samstag, 21.02.2015 Valparaiso - Osterinsel(1996 Seemeilen, 4 Seetage) Die See hatte sich zum Glück am zweiten Tag unserer Reise nach „Rapa Nui“, wie die Osterinsel von den Einheimischen genannt wird, soweit beruhigt, dass die Gischt nur noch selten bis zu unserem Fenster, welches ca. 7 Meter über der Wasserlinie liegt, hochspritzte. Auch das Laufen war wieder, zwar schwankend, aber ohne Halt suchend möglich. Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass ein so grosses Schiff, wie die Costa Deliziosa bei rauher See sich so stark bewegt. Sicher macht auch das seit Valparaiso gefahrene hohe Tempo, um die 22 Knoten, etwas aus. Wir müssen die 18stündige Verspätung von Valparaiso, in den 4 Tagen ja wieder einholen. Übrigens 22 Knoten entsprechen in etwa 40 km/h. Vor Valparaiso fuhren wir zum Teil mit nur 12 Knoten (22 km/h). Wir haben ... read more

I'd never been anywhere as remote as Easter Island (Isla de Pascua/Rapa Nui). It's the most remote inhabited Island in the world (the flight was 5 hours from mainland Chile and we crossed two time zones to get there). The closest inhabited neighbour is Pitcairn Island, 2075 km (1289 miles) away with just 100 inhabitants. The minute you land you realise this place is very different. Actually before you land; we flew past the island and took a large u-turn to line up with the runway. The pilot needed to get it right as the runway ended and the Pacific Ocean began about 15 foot from where we stopped. The airport resembled a beach hut, the passport control were nowhere to be seen and we were adorned with fresh floral necklaces as we arrived...I could see ... read more

There are a few things that I really like about Easter Island. One of these things is the fact that, since you're in such a small place, even tourists become locals. I mean when there's only like 4 places to eat, you're bound to get to know some people. That happened today during breakfast when I went into the same place as yesterday and the same lady brought me the same food. I wished her the first hasta manana of the day, or see you tomorrow. It also happened tonight, when I went back to my favorite little coffee shop, the one with the retriever, who's name I learned is blanco. Had the same thing: an Americano, or straight black coffee, and told the guy I'll see him tomorrow night. Hasta Manana. The other thing about ... read more

Today was one of those travel days that I like to call Holy Shit days. Meaning that I catch myself saying Holy Shit, I'm actually here. It's that moment when all of those photos you've looked at suddenly come to life, and the real thing is right there in front of you. Alive. Real. Holy Shit. Today was that type of day pretty much from the get go. Antoine knocked on my door early in the morning with the news that he had my car ready for me. What made this so funny was how serious he was about it. I renting the car directly from him, and I get the feeling it's his prized possession. He wants me to take very good care of it. I think he even has a name for it. He ... read more

At our arrival to the Easter Island airport, we immediately got to feel like we have left (continental) South America behind and arrived in South Pacific, as we were met by Keka, the owner of our guesthouse, placing flower leis on our necks in real southern island style :) Keka was great throughout our stay, always asking how we are, offering fruits, and being helpful with anything we needed. Her guesthouse Vaianny was also a very relaxing place; nice garden to sit in observing chickens walking around, good kitchen, peaceful nights, nice people - couldn't have been much better! We met three other couples , who were also traveling around the world taking pretty much the same route as we, from New Zealand to Tahiti to Easter Island to South America, obviously we are just doing ... read more