This should be written on the 10th but it's getting rather late. We flew back from Easter Island today, 10th November, and are now back in Santiago.

On our first day on the island we climbed the volcano called Rano Kau. The crater is about 200m deep and 1600m across. Nearby is a village of 54 small stone houses used from the 16th century for ceremonial purposes. We wondered if Mr Peter Jackson had seen them as we were reminded of Hobbiton when first setting eyes on their diminuative size.

A tour occupied us for most of the second day. The quarry where the moai were carved is probably the most interesting site on the island. Moai in various states of production with many left where they began their journey to the coast.

The only disappointment was that the wind subsided on the day of the tour and it rained for most of the day. Hence the misty background in some of the photographs.

The return flight to Santiago went without a hitch. We arrived to check in very early because we had heard from someone at the hostel that the flight was over-booked by 20. (We were stuck in Santiago a couple of days before we flew to Easter Island because Lan airline had taken us off the passenger list and not told us. So you can imagine, we are relieved to be back on mainland Chile without any more surprises!)

Today, 11th November as it is now, we're catching a bus. It will take us over the Andes to Mendoza. Well that's the plan!