50m
Okay, so a bit of a run down for those wishing to get to Easter Island.
Step 1. Forms
You have to complete an on-line application which is fairly innocuous and short. I completed this last night over dinner which needs to include details of your flight in, your flight out and where you are staying, and you are allowed up to 30 days. None of this flying in and deciding, as some backpackers do that they might stay for this long or go to that hotel. It all must be organised prior to arrival. Once the form is completed it sends you an email with all of this information.
Step 2. Santiago Airport
On arrival at the airport you have to go to the domestic terminal and up to level 3 to get your suitcases sorted by self service machines which, on receipt of your boarding pass, print out your luggage tags. You then move to the check in, and use their reader to scan your weighted bag and off it goes. From here you go down to level 2 for the Easter Island immigration control who check that you have the email stating that you filled in the form prior to arrival at the airport and they give you a piece of paper with this info on it and stamp it. You then wait, for up to 3 hours as you are supposed to arrive early for check in. There isn’t much at all in the Santiago domestic terminal, not much at all.
Step 3. Flight
I was expecting a smaller plane coming here but they are certainly bigger than expected. I had asked for, and been told that I did have, an aisle seat, but instead found myself stuck in the middle of two slightly large individuals. The flight goes for about 5 hours and you do get served some form of sandwich and a drink on the flight. There were movies as well to make the flight seem that little bit shorter and they dim the lights and windows for those wanting to sleep.
Step 4. Arrival
And then there is the arrival on the island and the chaos that happens here. Get off plane and walk across the tarmac to the arrival building. Now I’ve been in some interesting countries and some backwater locations but this is up there. For a country like Chile this is basic. A concrete building with one baggage conveyor which breaks down regularly, and a small area for the passengers to mill around it was bad enough. But then they attempt to line everyone up to x-ray ALL bags entering the island. One machine. All bags. The line really wasn’t a line, it was a mob with something resembling a line when it entered the taped off lane near to the machine. After 25 minutes in this mob, one of the officials just opened the exit and let those who were not already in the taped off lane leave the building. This I did and saw my driver with a placard with my name on it.
Step 5. The island
Easter Island has the feel of Bali from the 70s. There is a laid back atmosphere without the crap covering that exists in Bali now. The side streets are mud and gravel, the main road has just as many pit holes as tarmac and the buildings show a basic, almost temporary nature to them. To give you an idea of this place, I was almost hit as the rear vision mirror fell off from the antiquated X-Trail that I was in. The hotel, which I have been assured by my driver, is the best one on the island, is comfortable, but basic. Limited wifi only in reception, no AC in any of the hotel, mosquito nets above the beds. Let’s see what dinner is like!