Friday 26th April
We got up at the usual time but it was raining heavily, a real Polynesian rainstorm. Maeva called and suggested that we do not go out in the morning but wait until the afternoon. We agreed with this plan on the basis that the weather would get better as the day wore on. So, we drove the short distance to the Boulangerie restaurant for breakfast. Service was ‘island slow’!! But the food was very good and the coffee excellent. We sat awhile and watched the world go by. At one point a car passed chased by a pack of dogs!! No idea what had excited them so much about this particular car and they dodged death by being so close to the wheels, then as usual, they realized the pointlessness of their chase and gave up. Dogs are not cats!!!
Then we went to the Post Office to have our passports stamped with 'Rapa Nui' but were redirected to the Information Office where a nice lady obliged. Then we decided to go to the museum, always a good option on a rainy day.
The Rapa Nui Museum is small but well laid out and very informative about the history and culture of the island, the ‘Birdman’ culture and the Moais. Even with their excellent presentation it is evident that much remains unknown about the history of the early peoples who occupied Rapa Nui, where they came from and where they lived and really what the significance of the Moai are. There is much supposition not always supported by facts as written history is absent and, sadly the original peoples were the victims of colonization which is the greatest destroyer of culture and tradition. Many of the original inhabitants were abducted by Peruvians to act as slaves on the mainland.
Then we drove onward to Annekina the only beach on the island. The road there was good and we soon reached the beach and were able to put our feet into the South Pacific Ocean. Then we stopped for something to eat which turned out to be overly large empanadas.
We received a message from the Toki Rapa Nui Musica School that they could accommodate a tour of the school at 5.30 p.m. prior to the alumni concert at 6.30 p.m. So, we headed to the school and Mike, Krista and Beverly would follow along. The Toki Rapa Nui and our visit there is the subject of a separate post.
After the concert we had to leave a little early as we had reservations at Te Moana restaurant. We arrived there expecting the place to be full as it had been the previous evening, but it was, in fact empty!! The previous night there had been a show, and the place was full due to that.
Our meal was good, and I had an appetizer of sea urchin which I have not had for a long time. There was ceviche (of course!) on the menu but not a lot in the way of meat for Krista who is allergic to seafood. We sat and talked for quite a while before returning to our respective billets for the night.
This is an album of photos I took this day.
Friday 26th April photos
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