Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Today we have planned to cruise around the island with our run-down car and our trip starts off quite early. We meet up with Jan-Gert and Margriet at 6h15 and slowly (ie as fast as the rundown car allows which is on average 35 km an hour :-) ) we drive towards Ahu Tongariki, where we plan to watch the sun rise while enjoying breakfast. After the sun is up and after shooting several nice pictures, we present Jennifer our little 30th birthday cake. Sharing this cake amongst all of us and with a cup of pisco sour in the hand, we continue to watch the stunning view over the 15 Moai.
The weather is slightly overcast but we decide to have a second stop anyhow at Rano Raraku where we check out some souvenirs and have a nice little espresso whilst the souvenir girl is going wild because of the presence of Jan-Gert, or more even over the presence of Dutch men in general. It is pouring down with rain now so we just spend some time watching Chinese tourists getting soaked while entertaining a cute little kitten that we baptize Ariki (king)!
When it starts to clear up, we head up to Orongo once more as Nils, Jan-Gert and Margriet have not yet been there. We park the car near the viewpoint of the crater and walk along the rim once more to sniff up some history in the Orongo museum (that we passed through rather quickly last time). Reading about the yearly competitions, we have to stop Jan-Gert and Nils from running down the cliff and swimming towards the islands to get the manutara's first egg and consequently obtain a godlike status; keep on dreaming guys!
Heading back to the village for a possible quick visit of the museum if the weather stays this bad. We have a nice little lunch (empanada con atún y queso) in one of the little stands overlooking the surfer's beach and see the weather starts to clear up. Quite tired of our early start and realizing we have a long night ahead of us, we decide to go to Anakena beach for an hour or so. Good call as by the time we drive into the parking, the sky is mostly blue again meaning we can take a snooze under the swaying palms at the beach. Anakena beach is also the perfect backdrop for Ahu Hau Nau which comprises seven moai, some with topknots.
We have a nice swim and defy some impressive waves, before Jan-Gert and I sneak away to inflate 50 balloons and stuff the car as another small birthday surprise for Jen. Quite a lot of fun trying to climb into the car afterwards; unfortunately we do not all fit and some balloons have to die before heading back to the village. A little local kid still manages to come and save one of them before a brutal Ashley pinches them all.
Once back in the village, we take some time to take a shower and have some drinks playing Jungle Speed (and hitting and breaking each other's nails while doing so) while waiting for our Dutchies to join us for dinner. By the time we leave, it is past 22h00 already but we only have to cross the street to Kanahau, where we kick off the night with a strong mojito.
After an amazing dinner and dessert, we return to Inaki Hui where Alvaro in the meantime invited some of his friends for drinks. We join them and have some drinks and tequila shots before heading downtown to experience two typical Rapa Nui discos....Topatangi is about to close, however, so we get dragged to the 'real one' where Jen 'haaaas the tiiime of her liiiife'' dirty dancing with Mr hot body Rapa Nui (who is he on the Rapa Nui calendar though? ;-) ).
Nils seems to have forgotten about the girls and decided to stroll home on his own (apologies accepted Nils!). As soon as we realize he abandonned us, we walk home as well and reach Inaki Hui around 4h45 in the morning. Off to bed straight away to at least get a couple of hours of sleep still!
Great day!
- comments