We started the day with a visit to the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hanga Roa which is just a few blocks from our hotel. It was founded in 1937. It offers masses in Spanish, and you can hear songs in the Rapa Nui language. Inside the church are images carved locally that represent Christian saints, Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.

From the church we went for a walk through the neighborhoods of Hanga Roa to the Museo Antropologico Padre Sebastian Englert. This small museum is named for a German priest who dedicated his life to improving conditions on Rapa Nui. It provides an excellent summary of the history of Easter Island and its way of life, as well as its native flora and fauna. From the museum we followed a trail along the coast back to the main part of town. Along the way we saw saw more moai who kept us company while we ate our pre-packed lunch.

The Cementerio of Hanga Roa is a very colorful and ornate cemetery along the coast with lots of carvings from wood and volcanic rocks. Many of the tombstones are adorned with motifs that combine Christian and Rapa Nui iconography. There are no funeral companies on the island, so the relatives have to take care of all details of the funeral, from the construction of the coffin to the transfer to the cemetery. The deceased are always buried with their heads facing the Pacific.

We had dinner that evening with a family who owns property bordering the national park which runs along the coast. It was still a magnificent view of the ocean.

Quick Photo Links: Thor Heyerdahl | more moai and a rock ballet | Cementerio of Hanga Roa | Ahu Huri A Urenga and Puna a Pau | Ahu a Kivi | rock ballet to Rapa Nui art