Nous naviguons pendanWe sail for 14 days before reaching Easter Island, it is our longest but also slowest crossing (5.3kts average over the 1880 miles traveled) since our departure from France 2 and a half years ago. Apart from a few pelagic birds, we encounter absolutely no one, the Pacific Ocean lives up to its name and so Libertaire advances calmly on the ample swell while everyone keeps busy on board. Time does not seem too long for Nina and Diane and we are surprised that they never asked when we would arrive. On Tuesday, April 23, land is in sight while we are still more than 40 miles from the only town on the island, Hanga Roa, which we reach during the night. Easter Island is one of the most isolated islands in the world, a small volcanic land lost in the middle of the Pacific and whose history has fascinated and intrigued generations of explorers. The "moais," those famous stone colosses erected by the island's inhabitants, the Rapa Nui, have contributed to making the place mythical and have sparked many questions and controversies about the Polynesian-origin civilization that developed on this 25 km long territory from the 4th century onwards. After 2 weeks at sea, we are struck by the smell of the land and the humid heat as we walk through the small town of 7000 inhabitants with its very relaxed atmosphere, between surfers with their boards under their arms and women wearing flower crowns. The rolling anchorage does not prevent us from recovering from night watches and well-rested, we set out to explore the island with our small rental car. On Saturday, April 27, the wind turns north and we skirt the island to the west to reach the anchorage of Hanga Hotuiti in front of the monumental Ahu Tongariki and its 15 imposing statues. We stay there for 4 nights before heading to the north coast and the paradisiacal beach of Anakena. Since this morning we have been back in front of the town of Hanga Roa and we are waiting for the swell to subside so we can disembark to complete the formalities for leaving Chile. Tomorrow, heading to the Gambier Archipelago, the first Polynesian stop, 1400 miles to the west!
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Bien arrivés à l'Ile de PâqSafely arrived at Easter Island after 14 days of smooth sailing!
Cote Sud
Mouillage Hanga Roa
Motu Iti et Nui
baignade a Anakena
plage d'Ovahe
Cote Sud
Ahu Tongariki
Ahu Tongariki
Rano Raraku
Ahu Tongariki
Ahu Tongariki
Rano raraku
Ahu Tahai