Well the dot on the map says it all really as does the picture with this blog (which sadly I didn't take). I'm on Easter Island and very sorry to be leaving here tomorrow as it is probably one of the most amazing places I have had the priviledge to visit. Geographically it is the remotest place in the world ( also described as the navel of the world for that reason). It's just under 4000 km from mainland Chile and the nearest inhabitated place is Pitcairn Island some 2000 km away.

Well that was the bit I started to write yesterday but the power cut in Hanga Roa put paid to the rest of it. Hanga Roa is the only village on the island and the total population is believed to be about 4000. The island is fortunately very unspoilt with planes etc only actually getting to the island forty years ago and the first tractor about 8 years ago. that might make me sound a bit nurdy but it´s quite hard to describe the place as it´s so unspoilt. My hotel was supposed to be the best on the island... hmmmm... it was fine but certainly not the height of luxury but one fab thing was the sound of the sea and the views. As for the moai statues I went completely photo mad for these. Unfortunately I still haven´t got round to putting them on here and there´s some serious culling required as I´ve taken over 400 this month. that´s definetly my mission during the next week.

The island is described as an archaelogical open air musuem and I´d wholly agree with that. the polynesian influence is huge in today´s society. And there´s a few strapping polynesians riding around on horseback!

I´ve taken it easy the last few days and not done any adventurous activities as I´ve spent most of the time either sight seeing or eating and drinking and taking in the sunsets. I´ve met some very intersting and diverse people including going out to dinner with an 87 year old American "Henry" and two other older Americans, one of whom was an aging attorney, which proved quite an experience in itself.

Oh well last day in Chile and South America and another long flight tomorrow. Will update this soon and promise the photos, or some of them will be on it.