Easter Island - another day in the South Pacific

Day 2 on the Island began with a stop at Akahanga...one of two places on the island where the moai were toppled and destroyed.  It is said that this was how James Cook or one of the other early European explorers may have found the statues.  It was a a real find for archaeologists intent on study of the moai.

These two were like just pushed to the ground....

This was probably a place for the statue to be carved....

A cave...for shelter or meeting groups....

The beginning of a stand for one of the moai....it was said that at one time as many as 12 moai had been at this location....

Rano Raraku...was a quarry where nearly all of the moai were carved.....some 400 unfinished moai still lie here.

This was my greeter!!  BTW.....dogs are everywhere on the island...and most if not all run loose.  But horses - yes horses outnumber people on the island.  Most of these horses are wild.

While most of these moai were unfinished...some were said to be in process by a master-carver....these carvers were not plentiful and therefore it did take some time to finish the moai depending upon the reputation of your master-carver and how many clients he had ahead of you.  But once finished it is said the family would be called to Rano Raraku for viewing and approval.  Once secured the moai would be moved to its final site....this whole process could take up to a year!!

These are some of the unfinished moai....

The quarry were the rock was gathered....

Now to Ahu Tongariki....Unbelievable.....a platform with 15 huge moai.  This is the height of Rap Nui stone carving...It is the largest ceremonial structure anywhere in Polynesia.

...and here they are....WOW!!!

This is called the "traveliling moai"....it was taken to Japan for a trade show in Osaka and Tokyo and successfully retuned to the island.  Japan has always had an interest in Easter Island and was instrumental after the 1960 tsunami in putting the moai back in place that had been swept over in the tsunami....a crane was sent to put them upright and had difficulty with some of the moai which were thought to be in excess of 80 ton.

While some or all of the moai probably had a 'top-knot' they were not replaced except for the one shown second from the right.  That 'top-knot' was just placed there but did not belong to that particular moai.

This is what the moai view as I stood in front of them looking onto the island.

A view of the 15 from the back side....

One extra face in the crowd....

Final stop of the day..Ahu Te Pita Kura....site of the largest moai ever placed on a platform....some thought it was the first king....but it was never put up-right. 

Here it lies....

This is just to the left of the platform and legend says it was brought by the first king and contains mythical power bestowed by the gods.  If you sit on one of the small stones and place your hands on the larger stone the powers will be transferred to you....I did not try it...I have all the power I need!!!

Okay...one last look at the infamous 15 of Easter Island....again a big WOW!!!!

My photo of the day....these chickens....I found them near the beach at a refreshment stand.  It seems they are saying...." ....another of the tourists...... Okay eyes right for the camera.....!!!"