Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Remote Rapa Nui or Easter Island is best known for its numerous carved monolithic heads, the moai, of which 50 are now standing sentinel on the island. Great debates rage over where the first islanders came from and why they carved the monoliths, destroying the islands ecology in the process and causing their own civilization to disintegrate.

Now almost treeless, Rapa Nui was once covered in sub-tropical forests with their own unique species of palm. Rapa Nui was also home to both ocean and land birds, now all extinct.

According to recent studies, there are 887 Moai in existence, both on the island and in museums, ranging in size up to ten metres tall and 75 tonnes. The statues were carved out of compressed volcanic ash found in a single location on the island. Only a quarter of the moai had been erected (before being toppled) in their final destinations and many remain in the quarry waiting to be transported. Although thought of as heads, the statues actually depict torsos as well, and scientists believe that they once also had eyes made of coral.

As well as the moai, Rapa Nui has many thousands of carved stones, two white sandy beaches, a shore break suitable for surfing, extensive snorkelling snd diving friendly coastlines and an interesting series of vast subterranean caverns.

Rapa Nui has become more touristy over the last decade and there are now plenty of guesthouses to stay in a several restaurants.