EASTER ISLAND to TAHITI: TALES of the PACIFIC 2022 Route: Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia to Easter Island, Chile

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

EASTER ISLAND to TAHITI: TALES of the PACIFIC 2022 Route: Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia to Easter Island, Chile EASTER ISLAND TO TAHITI: TALES OF THE PACIFIC 2022 route: Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia to Easter Island, Chile 19 Days National Geographic Resolution - 126 Guests National Geographic Orion - 102 Guests Expeditions in: Mar From $20,000 to $43,590 * Following in the wake of early Polynesian navigators, this voyage takes you to the farthest reaches of Oceania. From remote and enigmatic Easter Island, to the historically significant Pitcairn Islands through the “low islands” of the Tuamotu Archipelago to Tahiti, you’ll visit islands that are virtually inaccessible and untouched. The voyage begins in one of the most isolated landfalls of Polynesia: Easter Island. Walk the length of untouched tropical beaches, meet the descendants of H.M.S. Bounty mutineers, and drift dive or snorkel through an atoll pass. Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com DAY 1: U.S./Papeete, French Polynesia padding Depart in the late afternoon for Tahiti and arrive late in the evening on the same day. Check into a hotel room and spend the evening at your leisure. 2022 Departure Dates: 8 Nov DAY 2: Papeete/Embark padding This morning enjoy breakfast at your leisure and 2023 Departure Dates: spend some time exploring the resort while 6 Apr, 17 Apr adjusting to island time. Meet your fellow travelers for lunch and then join us for a tour of Tahiti before Important Flight Information embarking the ship in the late afternoon. (B,L,D) Please confirm arrival and departure dates prior to booking flights. DAY 3: Makatea padding Advance Payment: An uplifted coral atoll, the island of Makatea is one of the most unique landforms in the Pacific. Spend from $2,500 to $3,000 the day exploring limestone caves and grottos with your expedition team and local guides, or search Cost Includes: for endemic fruit doves and myriad seabirds, then Accommodations; meals indicated; alcoholic snorkel among colorful fish on the nearby reef. beverages (except premium brands); (B,L,D) excursions; services of Lindblad Expeditions’ Leader, Naturalist staff and expert guides; use of DAY 4-8: At Sea/Tuamotu Archipelago kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and padding service taxes; gratuities to ship’s crew. Today we begin our exploration of the “Dangerous Archipelago,” in Fakarava, one of the largest atolls Cost Not Included: in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Air transportation; personal items such as Biosphere Reserve. Explore the protected reefs or emails, laundry, voyage DVD etc. ride the current into the lagoon on a world-famous drift snorkel. From here, your Captain and Expedition Leader will determine our next spot for exploration. In true expedition mode, we will visit some of the Tuamotus’ most remote islands, taking the opportunity to explore them by land and by sea. Navigate reefs and islets as we make our way east and explore one of French Polynesia’s many uninhabited atolls such as Tahanea. (B,L,D) DAY 9: Mangareva padding Spend a day at sea scanning the horizon with our naturalists or relaxing on deck with a good book. We then arrive at Mangareva, the largest of the Gambier Islands, with its interesting history and beautiful lagoon. Venture underwater to snorkel, meet islanders to learn about their culture and the missionaries who made their home here, or go on a hike with our naturalists. (B,L,D) DAY 10-13: Pitcairn Islands/At Sea padding We begin our exploration at the famed Pitcairn Island. Many of the mutineers of the legendary Bounty made their home here in the late 18th century, and about 50 of their descendants still live here today. Meet the residents and hear a few words of the unusual Pitkern dialect—a combination of English “sailor speak” and Polynesian phrases. Visit the gravesite of the last surviving Bounty mutineer, John Adams, and see the Bounty’s anchor, which was salvaged in 1957. We continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Henderson Island, an uplifted atoll that is uninhabited and virtually untouched by humans. Discover the island’s four endemic bird species, rich flora and fauna, and fascinating geology. At Ducie Atoll, spend time watching for frigatebirds and boobies and snorkeling or diving among spectacular reefs. (B,L,D) Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com DAY 14-15: At Sea padding Special Offers As we voyage east toward Easter Island, head up to the Bridge to watch for wildlife and observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain FREE BAR TAB AND CREW and officers sail these historic waters. There’ll also TIPS INCLUDED be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, We will cover your bar tab and all tips for workout in the gym, and browse in the library. the crew on all National Geographic Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth Resolution, National Geographic to your experience. (B,L,D) Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Orion DAY 16-19: Easter Island, voyages. padding Chile/Disembark/Santiago/U.S. Arrive at Easter Island where you will check into the Hanga Roa Eco Village & Spa (or similar) for BOOK 2 OR MORE AND SAVE two nights. Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava 10% fields, and sweeping grasslands to discover the Book two or more South Pacific voyages colossal moai statues, the astonishing legacy of a aboard National Geographic Orion and long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine take 10% off each voyage. Savings is these statues and discuss their meaning and applicable to back-to-back or non- creation; visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately consecutive voyages. *This savings is carved ceremonial altars. Fly to Santiago, Chile for available on voyage fare only, and is not your overnight international flight home. (Days 16- valid on airfares or extensions. 17: B,L,D; Day 18: B,L) BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS Save 10% on any consecutive journeys taken on board one of our expedition ships. This savings is applicable on voyage fares only, and are not valid on extensions or airfare. COMBINING OFFERS Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities, except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings. BRINGING THE KIDS We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So take $500 off for each child under the age of 18. TRAVELING AS A GROUP Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. Take advantage of these great savings, while enjoying traveling with your friends and family. This savings is applicable to voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies. Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com * See our website at https://world.expeditions.com/ for the most up-to-date pricing, which may vary by departure date. Prices are subject to modification, and are not guaranteed until booking and required deposits are made. For best pricing, book early. (1) Travel Protection Plan We strongly recommend our guests to take advantage of our Travel Protection Plan. This plan offers comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damage or loss of baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels. Our Travel Protection Plan is available for U.S. residents only, and may be purchased any time prior to final payment due date, Travel Protection premiums are non- refundable once plan is purchased. Learn more about our Travel Protection “Plus” Plan: https://world.expeditions.com/terms-conditions/travel-protection-plan/ (2) Cancellation Policy Review our cancellation policy: https://world.expeditions.com/cancellation-policy/ Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com.
Recommended publications
  • Human Discovery and Settlement of the Remote Easter Island (SE Pacific)
    quaternary Review Human Discovery and Settlement of the Remote Easter Island (SE Pacific) Valentí Rull Laboratory of Paleoecology, Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera (ICTJA-CSIC), C. Solé i Sabarís s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; [email protected] Received: 19 March 2019; Accepted: 27 March 2019; Published: 2 April 2019 Abstract: The discovery and settlement of the tiny and remote Easter Island (Rapa Nui) has been a classical controversy for decades. Present-day aboriginal people and their culture are undoubtedly of Polynesian origin, but it has been debated whether Native Americans discovered the island before the Polynesian settlement. Until recently, the paradigm was that Easter Island was discovered and settled just once by Polynesians in their millennial-scale eastward migration across the Pacific. However, the evidence for cultivation and consumption of an American plant—the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)—on the island before the European contact (1722 CE), even prior to the Europe-America contact (1492 CE), revived controversy. This paper reviews the classical archaeological, ethnological and paleoecological literature on the subject and summarizes the information into four main hypotheses to explain the sweet potato enigma: the long-distance dispersal hypothesis, the back-and-forth hypothesis, the Heyerdahl hypothesis, and the newcomers hypothesis. These hypotheses are evaluated in light of the more recent evidence (last decade), including molecular DNA phylogeny and phylogeography of humans and associated plants and animals, physical anthropology (craniometry and dietary analysis), and new paleoecological findings. It is concluded that, with the available evidence, none of the former hypotheses may be rejected and, therefore, all possibilities remain open.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pitcairn Islands the World’S Largest Fully Protected Marine Reserve
    A fact sheet from March 2015 The Pitcairn Islands The world’s largest fully protected marine reserve Overview In March 2015, the United Kingdom declared the world’s largest fully protected marine reserve in the remote waters surrounding the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The designation marks the first time any government has combined creation of a fully protected marine area with detailed plans for surveillance and enforcement that include use of the most up-to-date technology available. This approach sets a new standard for the comprehensive monitoring of protected areas. In 2013, The Pew Charitable Trusts and The National Geographic Society joined the local government, the Pitcairn Island Council, in submitting a proposal calling for creation of a marine reserve to protect these spectacular waters. The Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve spans 834,334 square kilometres (322,138 square miles). Together with the Chagos Marine Reserve in the Indian Ocean, designated in 2010, the United Kingdom has created the world’s two biggest fully protected marine areas, totalling 1,474,334 square kilometres (569,243 square miles). Through these actions, the United Kingdom—caretaker of the fifth-greatest amount of marine habitat of any country in the world—has established its place as a global leader in ocean conservation. Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve Traditional and cultural non-commercial fishing by the Pitcairn islanders and their visitors is permitted within 2 nautical miles of the summit of 40 Mile Reef and in a transit zone between Pitcairn and 40 Mile Reef. © 2015 The Pew Charitable Trusts Encompassing 99 per cent of Pitcairn’s exclusive economic zone, the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve is about 3½ times the size of the land area of the United Kingdom.
    [Show full text]
  • THE HUMAN RIGHTS of the RAPA NUI PEOPLE on EASTER ISLAND Rapa Nui
    THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE RAPA NUI PEOPLE ON EASTER ISLAND Rapa Nui IWGIA report 15 THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE RAPA NUI PEOPLE ON EASTER ISLAND Report of the international Observers’ Mission to Rapa Nui 2011 OBSERVERS: Clem Chartier, President of Métis National Council, Canada. Alberto Chirif, Anthropologist and Researcher, IWGIA, Peru. Nin Tomas, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Auckland in Aotearoa- New Zealand, and researcher in the area of Indigenous Peoples Rights. Rapa Nui: August 1 - 3, 2011 Santiago: August 4 - 8, 2011 Report 15 IWGIA - 2012 CONTENTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE RAPA NUI PEOPLE ON EASTER ISLAND Observer´s Report visit to Rapa Nui 2011 ISBN: 978-87-92786-27-2 PRESENTATION 5 Editor Observatorio Ciudadano 1. Historical information about the relationship between the Rapa Nui Design and layout people and the Chilean State 7 Lola de la Maza Cover photo 2. Diagnosis of the Human Rights situation of the Rapa Nui and their Isabel Burr, archivo Sacrofilm demands, with special reference to the rights of self-determination Impresión Impresos AlfaBeta and territorial rights 11 Santiago , Chile 2.1. Self Determination 12 2.1.1 Right to Consultation over Migration Control 18 2.1.2 Conclusion 20 2.2. Territorial Rights 21 OBSERVATORIO CIUDADANO Antonio Varas 428 - Temuco, Chile 2.2.1. Lands Occupations 21 Tel: 56 (45) 213963 - Fax 56 (45) 218353 E-mail: [email protected] - Web: www.observatorio.cl 2.2.2. Return of Lands 26 INTERNATIONAL WORK GROUP FOR INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS 3. RightS OF IndigEnouS PEoplES in ChilE 30 Classensgade 11 E, DK 2100 - Copenhagen, Denmark Tel: (45) 35 27 05 00 - Fax (45) 35 27 05 07 4.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve (PDF)
    A fact sheet from March 2015 The Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve A global benchmark in marine protection Overview In September 2016, the United Kingdom created a fully protected marine reserve spanning about 830,000 square kilometres (320,465 square miles) in the remote waters surrounding the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The designation marked the first time that any government combined creation of a large, isolated and fully protected marine area with detailed plans for surveillance and enforcement that included use of the most up-to-date technology. This approach set a new standard for the comprehensive monitoring of protected areas. Three years earlier, in 2013, The Pew Trusts and the National Geographic Society had joined the local government, the Pitcairn Island Council, in submitting a proposal calling for creation of a marine reserve to safeguard these waters that teem with life. Together with the Chagos Marine Reserve in the Indian Ocean, designated in 2010, the United Kingdom has created two of the largest fully protected marine areas, totalling 1,470,000 square kilometres (567,017 square miles). Through these actions, the British government—caretaker of the fifth-greatest amount of marine habitat of any country in the world—has established its place as a global leader in ocean conservation. Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve Traditional and cultural non-commercial fishing by the Pitcairn islanders and their visitors is permitted within 2 nautical miles of the summit of 40 Mile Reef and in a transit zone between Pitcairn and 40 Mile Reef. © 2017 The Pew Trusts Encompassing 99 per cent of Pitcairn’s exclusive economic zone, the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve is about 3½ times the size of the land area of the United Kingdom.
    [Show full text]
  • Building Outrigger Sailing Canoes
    bUILDINGOUTRIGGERSAILING CANOES INTERNATIONAL MARINE / McGRAW-HILL Camden, Maine ✦ New York ✦ Chicago ✦ San Francisco ✦ Lisbon ✦ London ✦ Madrid Mexico City ✦ Milan ✦ New Delhi ✦ San Juan ✦ Seoul ✦ Singapore ✦ Sydney ✦ Toronto BUILDINGOUTRIGGERSAILING CANOES Modern Construction Methods for Three Fast, Beautiful Boats Gary Dierking Copyright © 2008 by International Marine All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. 0-07-159456-6 The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: 0-07-148791-3. All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion only, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where such designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps. McGraw-Hill eBooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs. For more information, please contact George Hoare, Special Sales, at [email protected] or (212) 904-4069. TERMS OF USE This is a copyrighted work and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“McGraw-Hill”) and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the work, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce, modify, create derivative works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the work or any part of it without McGraw-Hill’s prior consent.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Settlement Ofrapa Nui (Easter Island)
    Early Settlement ofRapa Nui (Easter Island) HELENE MARTINSSON-WALLIN AND SUSAN J. CROCKFORD RAPA NUl, THE SMALL REMOTE ISLAND that constitutes the easternmost corner of the Polynesian triangle, was found and populated long before the Europeans "discovered" this part ofthe world in 1722. The long-standing questions concern­ ing this remarkable island are: who were the first to populate the island, at what time was it populated, and did the Rapa Nui population and development on the island result from a single voyage? Over the years there has been much discussion, speculation, and new scientific results concerning these questions. This has resulted in several conferences and numerous scientific and popular papers and monographs. The aim ofthis paper is to present the contemporary views on these issues, drawn from the results of the last 45 years of archaeological research on the island (Fig. 1), and to describe recent fieldwork that Martinsson-Wallin completed on Rapa Nui. Results from the Norwegian Archaeological Expedition to Rapa Nui in 1955­ 1956 suggest that the island was populated as early as c. A.D. 400 (Heyerdahl and Ferdon 1961: 395). This conclusion was drawn from a single radiocarbon date. This dated carbon sample (K-502) was found in association with the so-called Poike ditch on the east side of the island. The sample derived from a carbon con­ centration on the natural surface, which had been covered by soil when the ditch was dug. The investigator writes the following: There is no evidence to indicate that the fire from which the carbon was derived actually burned at the spot where the charcoal occurred, but it is clear that it was on the surface of the ground at the time the first loads of earth were carried out of the ditch and deposited over it.
    [Show full text]
  • EXHIBIT A-120 Kailua-Kona, HI 96741
    Personal Information: Chad Kālepa Baybayan [email protected] Employment Information: Title: Captain and Navigator Start/End: March 2014-Present Employer: Polynesian Voyaging Society Mālama Honua Project 10 Sand Island Parkway Honolulu, HI 96819 Title: Associate Director Start/End: August 2011-March 2014 Employer: ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi 600 ʻImiloa Place Hilo, HI 96720 Title: Navigator in Residence Start/End: September 2010-August 2011 Employer: ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi 600 ʻImiloa Place Hilo, HI 96720 Title: Site Director, Exploration Sciences Division Start/End: October 2007-September 2010 Employer: ʻAha Pūnana Leo 96 Puʻuhonu St. Hilo, HI 96720 Title: Site Director, He Lani Ko Luna, Community Based Learning Center Start/End: October 2004-September 2007 Employer: ʻAha Pūnana Leo 96 Puʻuhonu St. Hilo, HI 96720 Title: Site Director, Hōkū Alakaʻi Starting/End: May 2000-September 2004 Employer: ʻAha Pūnana Leo 96 Puʻuhonu St. Hilo, HI 96720 Title: Lecturer, Papa Hoʻokele Waʻa Starting/End: August 2001-May 2002 Employer: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 200 W. Kāwili St. Hilo, HI 96720 Title: Customer Service Representative Start/End: November 1996-November 2013 Employer: United Air Lines Keahole International Airport EXHIBIT A-120 Kailua-Kona, HI 96741 Title: Program Assistant Hours: 50 hours/week Starting/End: May 1993-August 1995 Employer: Polynesian Voyaging Society 191 Ala Moana Blvd., Pier 7 Honolulu, HI 96813 Title: Lecturer, Papa Hoʻokele Waʻa Starting/End: January 1994-December 1994 Employer: University of
    [Show full text]
  • Easter Island: the Tongariki and Mataveri Solar Observatories Used a Common Methodology
    Easter Island: the Tongariki and Mataveri Solar Observatories Used a Common Methodology Sergei Rjabchikov1 1The Sergei Rjabchikov Foundation - Research Centre for Studies of Ancient Civilisations and Cultures, Krasnodar, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Two additional positions of the famous Mataveri calendar of Easter Island have been interpreted. The in- formation about the stars of the Virgo constellation has been obtained, too. As a result, the archaic Rapa- nui name of the star Spica and the Hawaiian name of this star have been compared. Keywords: archaeoastronomy, writing, Rapanui, Rapa Nui, Easter Island, Polynesia Introduction The great civilisation of Easter Island is famous in different aspects (magnificent statues and platforms, secret rites, and some objects covered with mysterious signs lastly). Here we continue the study of the archaeoastronomy of this ancient society. On the Astronomical Observations at Tongariki in the Past In conformity with Mulloy, the ceremonial platform (ahu) Tongariki was a real solar observatory (Liller 1991: 270). It is no doubt that the peculiar information about this is retained in the local folklore. Barthel (1978: 82) has found a passage in Manuscript E about this ahu: ko tongariki a henga eha tunu kioe hakaputiti ai ka hakapunenenene henua ma opoopo o tau kioe otherwise, Ko Tongariki: a henga e ha tunu kioe. Hakapu titi ai, ka hakapu nenenene henua ma opoopo o tau kioe. (This is) Tongariki [Tonga Ariki]: during the fourth dawn (henga) a rat is cooked (as a sacrifice). Lift the instrument (titi) at the spot, lift (it) in the same time interval at the land for the careful study during the season of the rat (= the bright sun).
    [Show full text]
  • Pitcairn Islands Eco Voyage
    BOOK NOW Exclusive offer limited to 10 travelers. EXPLORERS VOYGAGE O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS A LEGENDARY SEA VOYAGE STARGAZING IN AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY SANCTUARY UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, HENDERSON ISLAND 3RD LARGEST MARINE RESERVE ON EARTH FIRSTHAND INSIGHT INTO LIVING HISTORY AND CULTURE WWW.VISITPITCAIRN.PN OCTOBER 2019 PITCAIRN ISLANDS EXPLORERS VOYAGE We look forward to welcoming you to our islands... Pitcairn Islands Tourism is pleased to present our 2019 small group Explorers Voyage to Oeno, Pitcairn, Ducie, and Henderson Island. Lying in the central South Pacific, the islands of Henderson, Ducie and Oeno support remarkably pristine habitats and are rarely visited by non-residents of Pitcairn. Pitcairn Islands This will be the first ever multi-island voyage Group of its kind--visiting all four of the islands in the Pitcairn Islands Group! . The 18-night/19-day tour includes 11 days cruising around the remote Pitcairn Islands, the world’s 3rd largest marine reserve, visiting UNESCO World Heritage listed Henderson Island, seldom visited Oeno and Ducie Island, and a 4 day stay on Pitcairn Island, home of the descendants of the HMAV Bounty mutineers since 1790. OCTOBER 2019 PITCAIRN ISLANDS EXPLORERS VOYAGE About the Pitcairn Islands Group The Pitcairn Islands Group forms the UK’s only Overseas Territory in the vast Pacific Ocean. With a total population of 50 residents and located near the centre of the planet’s largest ocean, the isolation of the Pitcairn Islands is truly staggering. The island group lies around 2,200 km from Tahiti, 2,100 km from Easter Island, and over 5,000 km (approximately the distance from London to New York) away from both New Zealand and South America.
    [Show full text]
  • Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation Publications
    Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation Volume 22 Issue 1 May Article 16 2008 Publications Follow this and additional works at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj Part of the History of the Pacific Islands Commons, and the Pacific Islands Languages and Societies Commons Recommended Citation (2008) "Publications," Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation: Vol. 22 : Iss. 1 , Article 16. Available at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj/vol22/iss1/16 This Commentary or Dialogue is brought to you for free and open access by the University of Hawai`i Press at Kahualike. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation by an authorized editor of Kahualike. For more information, please contact [email protected]. et al.: Publications 1978 and today he is still "on the road," researching one of staggering detail. Highly recommended. For anyone headed hi favorite part of the world. His knowledge about the to the Fiji I land or anywhere in French Polynesia, a word variou i lands and i land group is a tonishing, and the e, ofadvice: Don't leave home without these books!! hi late t guides, are remarkable for their coverage of uch complex areas. As one who once wrote a guide book (for Rapa ui. Aku AIm from Afar tiny Rapa Nui), I find the concept of covering thousands of tiny islands to be an daunting project (for the Fiji group, by Helene Martins on-Wallin. orne 322 i land are large enough for human habitation but Rapanui Press, Mu eo Antropol6gico Padre Sebastian only 106 of them are actually inhabited.
    [Show full text]
  • 214. Moai on Platform (Ahu). Rapa Nui (Easter Island). C. 1100-1600 C.E
    214. Moai on platform (ahu). Rapa Nui (Easter Island). C. 1100-1600 C.E. Volcanic tuff figures on basalt base Article at Khan Academy Easter Island is famous for its stone statues of human figures, known as moai (meaning “statue”). The island is known to its inhabitants as Rapa Nui. The moai were probably carved to commemorate important ancestors around 887 moai they stood, backs to the sea, keeping watch over the island. some of the eyes sockets were originally inlaid with red stone and coral and at least some of the sculpture was painted with red and white designs Around 1500 C.E. the practice of constructing moai peaked, and from around 1600 C.E. statues began to be toppled, sporadically. The island’s fragile ecosystem had been pushed beyond what was sustainable. Over time only sea birds remained, nesting on safer offshore rocks and islands. As these changes occurred, so too did the Rapanui religion alter—to the birdman religion. Abandoned - the loss of confidence in the efficacy of the ancestors after the deforestation and ecological collapse, and most recently a theory concerning the introduction of rats, which may have ultimately led to famine and conflict. After 1838 at a time of social collapse following European intervention, the remaining standing moai were toppled Nearly half are still at Rano Raraku, the main moai quarry, but hundreds were transported from there and set on stone platforms called ahu around the island's perimeter. Almost all moai have overly large heads three-eighths the size of the whole statue. The
    [Show full text]
  • Easter Island to Tahiti: Tales of the Pacific 20 Days | National Geographic Orion | 102 Guests | Expeditions In: Mar/Aug | $17,990 to $37,990
    Easter Island to Tahiti: Tales of the Pacific 20 Days | National Geographic Orion | 102 Guests | Expeditions in: Mar/Aug | $17,990 to $37,990 Following in the wake of early Polynesian navigators, this voyage takes you to the farthest reaches of Oceania. From remote and enigmatic Easter Island, to the historically significant Pitcairn Islands through the “low islands” of the Tuamotu Archipelago to Tahiti, you’ll visit islands that are virtually inaccessible and untouched. The voyage begins in one of the most isolated landfalls of Polynesia: Easter Island. Walk the length of untouched tropical beaches, meet the descendants of H.M.S. Bounty mutineers, and drift dive or snorkel through an atoll pass. DAY 1-5: U.S/SANTIAGO, CHILE/EASTER ISLAND/EMBARK and boobies and snorkeling or diving Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Santiago, among spectacular reefs. Our next stop is Chile. Upon arrival, transfer to the Ritz Carlton in the UNESCO World Heritage site of central Santiago. Then, join your Lindblad staff Henderson Island, an uplifted atoll that is this evening for a welcome reception. Early the uninhabited and virtually untouched by next morning, fly to Easter Island where you will humans. On hikes and Zodiac excursions, check into the Hanga Roa Eco Village & Spa for discover the island’s four endemic bird two nights. Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava species, rich flora and fauna, and fields, and sweeping grasslands to discover the fascinating geology. colossal moai statues, the astonishing legacy of a long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine Many of the mutineers of the legendary these statues and discuss their meaning and Bounty made their home on Pitcairn creation; visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately Island in the late 18th century, and about carved ceremonial altars.
    [Show full text]