678.Easter Island 2006A visit to Easter Island is like visiting a dream.
This Polynesian island is stranded in the Pacific Ocean about 2,600 miles off the Chilean coast. Until 1968, the only way to reach this island was to hitch a ride on a Chilean warship. (The ship brought provisions once a year.) Now, a 5 1/2-hour plane ride from mainland Chile will deliver you to this otherworldy outdoor museum.
We spent four days and four nights on the island. One day we hiked, two of the days we took guided tours and one day we just hung out. The weather was partly cloudy most of the time with highs in the upper 60’s and low 70’s. Certainly not beach weather. But you do not come to this island for the beaches. You make the pilgrimage to gawk at the over 600 “moais” – gigantic carved stone heads – scattered around this island.
The denuded landscape appears ordinary but these stone monoliths make the whole experience surreal. It feels dreamlike. These photos only hint at the treasures that this island possesses. For us, they are touchstones. For others, we hope they inspire.
