Easter Island travelers included Ben Shaw, Darla Shaw, Carole Long, Jane Knox, Toni McKeen, leader; Linda Bloch, Mary Tobin, Garry Thomas, Charlene Thomas, Andrea Beebe, Cassie Camacho, Diane DiLorenzo blue, and Sam Bloch — Ben Shaw photo
On Easter Day in 1772, Europeans discovered an exotic Polynesian island named Rapa Nui. The island was mostly desolate and had few inhabitants. After the discovery, the location became commonly known as Easter Island, a territory of Chile.
A group of Ridgefielders visited Easter Island earlier this month, learning more of the history, the controversies and mysteries that still surround one of the most isolated places on Earth, some 2,300 miles from South America.
The travelers discovered many of the 400 great monolithic Moai statues that stand about 13 feet tall and weigh some 14 tons.
“You can experience lots of ‘ahhh’ moments on Easter Island,” said traveler Mary Tobin.
Led by Toni McKeen, a Founders Hall instructor, the group was prepared for what they would see. Through McKeen’s readings, and lectures from a person who had lived in Chile for five years and had been to Easter Island three previous times, students received a first-hand account of all that they would experience.
“I love learning about indigenous cultures, but this trip far exceeded any of my expectations,” Andrea Beebe said.
Easter Island is a study in how a group of complex people almost destroyed their own civilization, but are now rebuilding through reforestation, reconstruction of the ancient Moai sculptures, and increasing tourism. The island is filled with the remains of small villages and farms, as well as the large-headed, ceremonial Moai sculptures, in different stages of repair or decline.
“Standing in front of the most famous 15 Moai structures was a spiritual experience for me,” said Jane Knox.
For Linda Bloch, “The Rapa Nui experience was extremely unique. In fact, it was amazing. It was so calm and peaceful there.”
Easter Island is a haven for archaeologists, surfers, hikers, scuba divers, photographers and writers. In addition to the Rano Kau volcano and the Moai sculptures, beautiful bays and beaches attract people to the island. Much of Jacques Cousteau’s famous research was done on Easter Island.
Linda’s husband, Sam Bloch, looked forward to each new experience, “Every day on Easter Island hit a new high note for me.”
With the help of a native guide, the group visited the three important volcanic sites, the Birdman Ceremonial Center, lava tunnels, quarries where the Maoi stone was mined, unspoiled beaches, water caves, and the remains of small native settlements.
After visiting Easter Island, a person comes away with a knowledge of how advanced its ancient people were in their navigational, architectural and engineering skills. One also learns about the devastation through wars, diseases, depletion of resources, the possible Peruvian slave trade, and tsunamis. The history of the island teaches how important it is to preserve natural resources. The island is a study in contrasts, as well as an enigma due to a lack of almost any written historical text and little in the way of oral history.
“The Polynesian triangle is New Zealand, Hawaii, and Easter Island. It is fascinating to explore the link between these various locations,” said Ben Shaw.
The big questions that still remain today involve the cultural background of the early settlers and whether they were Polynesian, South American or both, and how the Moai were transported from the quarry to the ceremonial centers. Was it by roller or rope? There is also still a dispute about what really led to the downfall of the island many centuries ago.
Why does Toni McKeen return to the island over and over?
“You can take a thousand pictures of Rapa Nui Island and never truly capture of soul of the island,” she said.
McKeen will be sharing her Easter Island experiences and photos at a session at Founders Hall. All of the other participants on the trip will be able to share their photos as well. Other Founders Hall travelers included Dale Ahearn, Carole Long, and Garry and Charlene Thomas.
After a short stay in Santiago, Chile, and five days on Easter Island beginning on March 12, McKeen’s group moved on to Peru with trips to Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu.
The “cultural high” that these people experienced on Easter Island would only build with the next part of the trip.
McKeen is already thinking of a return fifth trip to Easter Island and Machu Picchu, open to Founders Hall members as well as the community in general.
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