Our Great Adventure: Easter Island Northeast Circuit Day 192 29/03/2015

We had breakfast at our cabanas and then were picked up by the tour bus at 9.45am, heading towards Aka Hanga on the east coast. The locals had erected a barricade at the National Park boundary however after some chat between the driver and the protesters we were let through, apparently because both our driver and guide were Polynesian. As the park office was closed we hadn't been able to pay the park entrance fees, which we 30000 Chilean pesos each (about £31). Aka Hanga is a large settlement of houses, cooking pits, caves, ahu's and remains of moai. It was interesting to hear how the local people built their homes, lived and a little about their beliefs and customs. From here we drove a short distance to Rano Raraku, the quarry where the moai were cut. There are moai scattered around the landscape, in all stages of progress on the slopes of the volcano, including the tallest known which has not been fully cut from the rock. We walked to the crater to see the small, glistening lake and then headed back downhill for a picnic lunch (which at $12,000 pesos was very expensive and the only disappointment of the day). From the slopes of the volcano you could see our next stop at Ahu Tongariki, the site of 15 imposing, awe inspiring, restored moai set on the largest ahu. It was an amazing site with the ocean behind and volcano in front. We had a quick stop at Papa Vaka to see the 'magic' volcanic rock and it's effect on a compass (just like The Cullien Mountains on Isle of Skye Simon remarked!) before continuing to Anakena and Ahu Nau Nau with 7 restored moai and the backdrop of the white beach and shimmering sea. There's also a lone moai here, Ahu Ature Huki. Most of the group headed straight for the sea whilst we had a wander along to see the moai and pier before having a paddle in the warm waters. We set off back for Hanga Roa, passed another barricade and arrived back in town just before 6pm. It had been an excellent day, very interesting and informative and the tour was definitely really good value for money. In the evening we headed out to find a restaurant recommended in Lonely Planet, couldn't see it, so went to another on the main street. Simon had a local fish dish and Diane ordered 'mixed cheese empanadas, a strange description for what turned out to be fish also! At least the copa de vino tinto was good!