I’ve been finding myself surprisingly uncertain how to write up our trip to Easter Island in a way that will properly convey its wonders. And so I’ve decided that rather than attempting to create a single, all-encompassing post that will do so, I’ll just share random memories over the next week from our time there, and hope that together they’ll give a good picture of what it’s like to visit place. So let’s start with our three visits to Ahu Tongariki.

Ahu Tongariki is the largest moai platform on Easter Island. Though its 15 moai are upright today, they were toppled during internal conflicts that began in the 18th century, and then further damage was done by a tsunami in 1960 that swept the artifacts inland. But it was restored during the ’90s, and it’s now one of the island’s most-visited sites, followed only by Ranu Raraku, the quarry from which all moai were carved and transported, and Orongo, a ceremonial village important to the Birdman cult, with views of the smaller islands Motu Nui and Motu Iti.

But visitors to Easter Island are only allowed to visit Ranu Raraku and Orongo once during a visit, while all other sites may be returned to again and again, which meant that when we were in the mood for more awe, it was Ahu Tongariki that pulled us back. (more…)