Dissonance
The surfing doesn’t come easy on Easter Island, and neither does the sailing or life in general. That is what you get for experiencing some of the earth’s greatest mysteries in such an isolated place. There is a rugged feeling to the place, its landscapes, climate, customs and people. The weight of the island’s history made of exoduses and tribal wars can still be felt today as Rapa Nui is still struggling to live in peace with its identity and attachment to Chile. On the other hand, for the ones that are willing to spend enough time there, to wait for the right moment to either get in the water or meet people, then Easter Island will share the best of its Mana for what will be a mile stone in a traveller’s life. Nonetheless if it took thousands of years for Rapa Nui to create the geological and historical heritage it represents today, it only took us, humans, a century or so to put at risk the entire ecosystem that surrounds it. After looking at the sand the way the Race for Water Odyssey taught me to, I know I will never look at it the way I did before. It bothers me to realize it. It bothers me not only because Mother Nature suffers but, selfishly, because it will temper the joy I get from simply putting my feet in the sand and feeling it between my toes. It bothers me because, when I was Shadé’s age, going to the beach with a bucket and a screen, there was hardly any of that plastic that I found in my screen 40 years later. It bothers me because it is all happening in my life time. At the end what maybe bothers me the most is that I can’t blame it on anybody. SUP
Getting there
There are only two ways to get to Easter Island, both with LAN Chile, the Chilean airline, either from Santiago Chile or Papeete French Polynesia.
LAN was the first airline to open an air connection with the island in 1968. Boat was the only way before that!
LAN Chile has daily flights from Santiago Chile to Easter Island. Flights continue on to Papeete French Polynesia.
LAN Chile is a surfer friendly airline Starting at US$450 to Mataveri Airport (Easter Island)
www.lan.com
When to Go
Easter Island has waves year round and catches swell from both the North and South but is more consistent in the south hemisphere winter (May to September).
Where to stay
Plenty of options from camping to high hand resorts. We stayed at Rapa Nui cabins that has several clean and convenient bungalows right by the ocean and close to town. For 2 to 4 people with kitchen starting at US$60 per night.
rapanuicabins@gmail.com
Your SUP connection on the Island is Christophe Conry:
www.rapanuistandup.com
You will need a car on Easter Island. Car rental starts at US$45/day; 4x4s are not mandatory.
