a lone moai is waiting for better times
the coconut trees were imported from Tahiti
If you like sandy beaches with a clear and calm sea and coconut trees around, head strait to
Anakena Beach as it is the
only place on Rapa Nui that fits your wishes.
Legend has it that the first king
Hotu Matu’a landed here with his
entourage after seven scouts found the island for him.
Apart from the beach and several snack stands Anakena features
two nicely restored Ahu's.
The largest one is
Ahu Nau Nau, with 7 moais. Four of them proudly wear the red headdress
called pukao.
When they were toppled the moais fell face down in the sand, which later covered the statues and slowed down erosion.
As a result these moai still show the finer carving details, particularly on the back and even the buttocks..
It was also
here that the original white coral and red scoria parts for the moai eyes were found.
On a high Ahu stands a lone weathered
moai called
Ature Hiki. This platform was restored in 1956 by locals with the help of
Thor Heyerdahl and the moai was the first resurrected
statue since the topplings began in the 18th century.
the secluded beach at Anakena
late in the afternoon it gets a bit chilly
these sockets were once filled with white coral and red stone to make for real eyes
the seven moai on Ahu Nau Nau
restored to old glory
the detailed carvings are well preserved, watch those arms and hands
the back side of Ahu Nau Nau
clearly visible: part of the head of an old moai is used in the platform, this was common practice
local Rapanui and Thor Heyerdahl resurrected Ature Hik in 18 days using only logs, stones and rope
Ahu Ature Hiki sits high with the back to the beach