Great Big Stone Heads

January 20, Day 16 at Sea

We are anchored just off the town of Hanga Roa, Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Everyone is excited about their tours or just visiting the island.  The captain came on the loud speaker with the bad news that with 10 foot waves crashing in to the dock area and the rocks, it is too dangerous to tender people in. He won’t promise anything, but they will move us to another, southerly part of the island in hopes we will

have better luck.

There are a lot of disappointed people as many of these people came on this world tour because of this stop.  Several people passed me (I’m on the Lido Deck writing) singing Kae Sera Sera. They are adjusting.

It’s late afternoon now and what a day. Our captain Olaf is a hero. He anchored just off shore  and we can see a beautiful cove with a sandy beach—clear aqua and blue waters. He went ashore in a tender himself to make certain it was safe for us.  When he returned, he made the announcement that only those without physical disabilities could go ashore.  We had to take the tender to shore and go through another stabilized tender in order to reach the shore as waters were still a bit rough.

Vans and busses had come from the original site to meet the people who had booked tours.  Natives were camped there and I wondered if they might live there.  After disembarking, we connected with another couple. Sharon and Allen (they speak decent Spanish) and checked out the taxis to go to the town of Hanga Roa.  They all wanted too much money—like $40 per person. 

So, we took photos of the stone heads—amazing by the way, and the beautiful cove, then went to another area where locals were camped and had a number of stalls.  There we found Carlos who volunteered to drive us round trip into town (18 mi.) and back and wait for us while we shopped at the market.  He charged us $10 each. What a deal. A very sweet man.

We discovered that the town was not all that exciting, but the sights on the way made the trip worthwhile. Cows and horses roamed free, crossing the road at will.  We caught glimpse of the ocean as we drove and were happy to get back to the wonderful beach.  Our only disappointment was that the post office in town was closed for siesta and we couldn’t buy the local stamps. We did get some postcards at the market though.

Once home, I took a dip in the pool, talked with my friend, retired nurse, Barbara, and then dinner.  We were later entertained by Johnny O who played an electronic wind instrument—quite good.  Later Diane entertained us with great songs and shared the port song she wrote: Great Big Stone Heads to the tune of Lady in Red.  Very cute and funny.

Heading out to sea