March 14 Sunrise at Tangariki and the rest of the day

We are up “early” in order to take a van to the eastern part of the island to catch the sunrise in the Pacific.  I did not realize that we would do so at a location where there were 15, yes 15 Moai!  What a site?  While those we had already seen were so impressive, to see these “Chiefs” lined up in a perfect row, awaiting the coming of the new day, was just amazing. 

There were about 50 other people with the same idea of catching the early morning light. While I brought my tripod and other equipment to try to catch the best pictures I could, I have to say, Cathy caught the essence of the feeling in her amazing picture of the sun between the first two Moai. 

Then it was back to the hotel for a quick breakfast, then out again, first to Vinapu then to Orango.  At Vinapu, we can see one of a very few female Moai.  This one was used as a funerary pillar.  Also, at this site is an Ahu with walls that looked very similar to the walls the Incas of Peru built.  This fueled the thinking of Thor Heierdahl that there was a link between Rapa Nui and South America.  Subsequent DNA and other archaeological records dismiss that theory.

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From here we go on to the Rano Kau the volcano caldera.  The caldera is the remnants of an ancient volcano that formed the island.  Filled with water that at one time provided water and crops for the people of the island. Also at this location were some petroglyphs (rock carvings) of the “Birdman”.  The Birdman plays an important part in religious and political development, post Moai or ancestor worship. 

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The Moai that are currently standing are restorations of what was. It is believed in the 17^th century most were pulled down in a war between clans.  By destroying your enemies Moai, you lessen their Mana (power).  The subsequent or replacement religious observances relate to the birdman competition.  This competition, every 12 months is initiated at Orango, the only ceremonial village built and used exclusively for religious observances.  In this competition, men would swim out to an island about a mile off the coast and bring back the egg of the migrating sea bird.  The goal was to be the first to return with an egg intact.  He, or his sponsor, was thought to have great power or Mana.

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In the afternoon, we returned to Tongariki to see the fifteen Moai in the light of day.  An impressive sight at any time.  On the way, we stop to see some of the Moai that are not restored and had been toppled during the civil war.

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Then it is back to the hotel and time for a swim before dinner.

A bit of housekeeping

You may have noticed that I changed the main menu options. Instead of a link directly to our calendar, there is now a drop down that has the calendar link as well as a link to a page for recipes. My intent is to put up additional recipes as I collect them. So far there is only one, but I have another and am waiting to get two more from the chef at the Explora.