Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me from Hangaroa exploring the local museum before heading northward along the very rugged coast to an area of lava caves where the islanders hid during times of war. From there I head inland to the Ahu Akivi moai before heading up the Puna Pau volcano from where the red top knots of the moai were carved from. From there we continue down the middle of the island back to Hangaroa.
Today's Journey
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Heading past the Moai of Ahu Tahai in the morning. These are usually the sunset Moai, but it is good to see the sun in their faces. Like most Moai on the island, they face inland. |
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Looking back over the Moai to Hangaroa as I continue heading northward exploring the coast. |
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A small outdoor Catholic temple on the coast, combining the rustic Easter Island architecture with Spanish influences. |
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Solitary Moai at Mirador Hanga Kioe with the Orongo volcano now in the distance. A couple of small boats are anchored off Hangaroa. |
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One of the tiny entrances to the lava caves of Ana Kakenga where villagers hid during times of tribal war on the island. War did break out on this tiny island so far away from anywhere, resulting in most of the Moai being toppled over in the late 19th century. |
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The Moai of Ahu Akivi. These seven Moai are different to most of the others on the island as these face out towards the sea to where the Polynesian ancestors came from. Most Polynesian islands have legends of their first settlers coming from across the ocean. |
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Heading up the small cinder cone volcano of Puna Pau from where the red topknots of the more distinguished Moai were excavated from the red scoria and carried all over the island. |
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A solitary Moai on a farm near the middle of the island at Ahu Huri A Urenga. This is unusual in having two sets of hands. A 13 metre long stone platform extends from this Moai in the direction of the rising winter solstice sun. |
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Returning back to Hangaroa passing some of the tiny shops, cafes and hotels. It is all very traditional here - no shopping centres or modern buildings. |
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One of the Moai standing in front of the tiny Hangaroa Harbour after sunset as the island goes to sleep. |
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