EASTER ISLAND PART 2
On our second day we began with the local museum, MAPSE, which is funded at least in part by the Easter island Foundation. This small museum has an excellent exhibit on the history of the island and the arrival of the Rapa Nui along with a number of artifacts including one of the only moai that has female characteristics. The Rap Nui people are considered to be Polynesian in origin and culture. I was particularly struck by a panel that showed a map of the Pacific with the Polynesian triangle of Easter Island on the west, Hawaii at the point of the triangle, and New Zealand at the eastern corner. Having been to New Zealand last year and to Hawaii in September, seeing this graphic was meaningful.
After the museum, we toured several more moai sites with Chris. This time we began with Tahai, a site on the edge of Hanga Roa that we hadn’t seen on our brief walk the day we arrived. We actually were glad that we waited to visit it with Chris since he provided context for it, and we had learned a lot the day before which enhanced our appreciation.
What is especially noteworthy here is that one moai (a reproduction I believe) that stands alone has its eyes painted white. What a difference this makes in how you feel this king’s penetrating gaze! Archaeologists discovered fragments of white coral near some moai and have postulated that this coral was put into the deep eye sockets. The moai you see today no longer have color in the eye area. 
We also visited a site, Vaihu, with what are purported to be seven young explorers (Chris debunked this, even though it was on the explanatory signboard), the restored village of Orongo, where we saw examples of the special houses used in the spring during the Birdman competition for the first egg, Ahu Vai Uri, a lone moai up the hill in some brambles (see header photo), and the mountain and crater from which the Rapa Nui dug out the red scoria stone for the Pukao or top knots. It was another incredible day, and we felt very lucky to have this whole Easter Island experience!
At dinner last evening, we were about the only diners and began with drinks. The Chilean waiter, whom we’d seen on breakfast duty the day before, but not interacted with, was very chatty in an almost sweet way. We learned his name is Ignacio and, when he asked whether either of us had a cigarette lighter, he said that they were unable to light the kitchen fire to cook our dinner. We said no, but while his kitchen mates hurried off to get some sort of lighter, he then was able to make his lighting device work and the matter of dinner was resolved.
The Chief Penguin then joked that his name was significant and that he was an “igniter” and Prometheus, bringer of fire. Ignacio also told us his nickname was “Nacho” and I replied I loved nachos which led to some more repartee. Humor exists around the world!
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved).
