Back to the Moais...

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There are few of these places that most of us consider as "the end of the world". I believe we can easily put Easter Island as one of these places. Normally you don't go back to these places once you have had the joy to experience them...well...at least not for a while! I would actually love to go back to Antarctica and Greenland...but with my kids...one day....



My first visit to Easter Island was back in July 2010..so not that long ago actually. Why coming back? Well, simple, it's a free stop-over on the way between Papeete and Santiago...and the expensive thing about Easter Island is getting there...so Hanga Roa...I'm back...for three nights!



Diving in the Tuamotus (Rangiroa and Fakarava) should not be compared to the diving in Easter Island. Here the island is volcanic, meaning there is not much fishes below the water...just an amazing visibility....



Well, I've been lucky in the Tuamotus avoiding huge winds just before my arrival...which did translate for the people ahead of me into average diving. I landed on a sunny day in Hanga Roa...just after days of rain. First afternoon was gorgeous....second day the same thing with serious winds...third day was...all too rainy....and I'm already leaving late morning on the fourth day.



So that left me theoretically two days for diving. First day, the winds are too strong, so we could do only the "moai" dive in the morning. Visibility was crap at around 30 meters....it goes to 200 meters visibility underwater around here in the best season. But for info, best season here means huge rains in Tahiti....so they won't see me tomorrow here during the "best season"!



The dive was fun, I did it already...but have the feeling this time there were way more eels and scorpion fishes around...enjoy the pic, this is as good as it get...just taken it for what it is... not easy after Rangiroa!



I also rented a quad for 24 hours....I love these big toys...and the best way to go around the island. You won't see pics of all the Moais as this time, I was more going out for the ride than for the exploration itself...pretty relax time....with some fun speed around...



Than came...the rainy day. I had woke up at 6am to see the sunset at Tongariki. For my last visit, the sunrise was pretty average, I was ready to give another try....as it was a starry night sky.....well....till I arrived there. And for info, I'm not really equipped...my raincoat is at home in Buenos Aires!



So the clouds came in just before 7am...followed few minutes after by the rain...and I'm on my quad...didn't actually wait for the sunrise...and made my way back for 30 minutes ride under serious rain...with a jeans, a polo shirt and a basic polar....not nice! The hot shower was a pretty good thing once back at Kaimana Inn. I came back fully soaked! The rain didn't stop for the all day. Diving was cancelled...I just spent my time doing nothing. Trust me, these days don't happen a lot in my life...doing nothing...it's actually pretty cool....as long as they happen...close to never!



As you read above, I stay at Kaimana inn, same place as before. It's fun the welcome you receive here once you come back...seems that simply never happen...so people notice it...and get you a great welcome, you are part of the family!



Time to go back home. There is only 2 weeks left for us in Buenos Aires...before heading back on the road...and the sky...and the seas...for a long while...



I'll write one recap blog from our stay in Argentine to be published in two weeks. Than the next blog will be from...well...not really sure where...for this one to happen....we need some snow to fall...and so far, it's not looking good....so instead of snow, I may deploy plan B...been there...not the kids...plan B could be as good as plan A, just different....



Time to head back home!

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Comments

[Home and Away]

It's hard to believe you have been in Buenos Aires a year...
seems like yesterday that you moved there from Bangkok. Are you going to do any other year abroad stays of a year or more?

[Maisondubonheur]

No more one year!
Hi Bob, We will be back living in Asia end of this year....Bangkok it will be... But no more one year trips...as much as this one actually look like a cool long holiday, you cannot built much by moving every year. May have been fun had I been in my early twenties without kids....but to built something, you need way more than a year! Bear in mind that in less than 7 years...both kids will be at University...I may simply head to the road from there...non stop...but that's another story... Peter

[Keep Smiling]

A coincidence...
I mentioned you and your exploits to my son a few weeks ago. Last week, he bought a Moai to put in his garden (a fake, like the underwater one - and only a fraction of the size!). Now, here you are on Easter Island sharing your days with Moais! An amazing coincidence and your blog, as ever, is an interesting glimpse of life beneath the waves. Garde le sourire!

[D MJ Binkley]

Great stuff
Sorry you'll be leaving South America as we've enjoyed your adventures there. The year has flown by. You've managed to see a great deal in a short period of time.

[daisyd]

easter island
Wow - 2 visits in 3 years...It's definitely top of my next travel plan - to do list - great photos :)

[Maisondubonheur]

Thanks Daisy!
But it seems my month of July will be filed with few of those...one more time visit...working on our plan B for the first week of July for the moment....we are going to go high...and cold!

[Wil Santos]

About Diving and the fake Moai
Hi man, great post! So you were diving and got some photos of this underwater moai but it´s fake? Someone put it there recently or is photoshop? Thanks for your attention!

[Maisondubonheur]

Fake Moai!
The Moai was put there many years ago...and yes, it's a fake, but it still a fun experience...and a great photo opp!