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Easter Island Highlights
Easter Island is an amazing place to experience Polynesia, whether you're interested in snorkeling and diving, lying on a white sand beach, or exploring the island's archaeological wonders. The island's rich history is evident in all aspects of life here and you'll have the chance to observe this no matter what or where you explore.
Easter Island's cultural artifacts make the trip worthwhile at any expense. The island's rich heritage is evident in petroglyphs, cave paintings, and ceremonial sites, called ahus, which are home to the moai statues that surround the island. The island's eight hundred and eighty seven moai statues are found in different forms: intact at some ahus, half-carved at the quarry, abandoned on their way to ceremonial sites, or toppled during inter-tribal warfare or by bad weather.
Any trip to Easter Island wouldn't be complete without exploration of the area's archaeological wonders. Whether you're renting a car or taking a guided tour of the sites, make sure to see everything along the northern and southern coasts. The western coast is home to the Ana Kai Tangata cavern, where the island's cave paintings can be found among dramatic cliffs. The ceremonial village of Orongo, which still contains 48 oval huts used during an annual celebration, is also located on the western coast.
The southern coast is home to most ahus and has the greatest concentration of moai. Ahu Tongariki is home to 15 moai, which stand on a 200-foot long ahu. Ranu Raraku, the quarry where each moai was created some 300-500 years ago, is home to 397 moai that remain in various stages of completion.
Easter Island has two main beaches, where the word paradise was born. Playas Anakena and Ovahe are beautiful places to feel sand between your toes, and to relax on the shore or swim in the pristine water.
The island also has unparalleled opportunities for snorkeling and diving at pristine reefs offshore. Charter a snorkel tour and explore the cobalt pacific waters for yourself. Hiking is another popular outdoor activity, and is a great way to take the time to explore some less frequented archaeological sites. Some visitors may also choose to explore the island by horseback or by mountain bike.
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© 2010 All About AR
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