It is not possible to get to Easter Island, without traveling a long distance. For example if you live in New York City you will travel to Santiago, Chile (almost 12 hours), probably you should rest a day and then catching another jet plane 5 hours into the Pacific to reach your goal. The adventure trip will be an hour shorter if you live in New Zealand, but don’t count on it.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui: Rapa Nui, Spanish: Isla de Pascua) is a Polynesian island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeastern most point of the Polynesian triangle. The island is a special territory of Chile.

Easter Island (10 miles by 15 miles) was formed eons ago by three massive volcanoes rising from the sea. Most of the island is strewn with stone, with jagged cliffs for a coastline. The island is also strewn with over 800 gigantic and breathtaking statues averaging over 20 feet high. Only a relative few of these are upright and in original placement, but many of the rest can be seen and visited, half buried or prone. The experience is very much like visiting a fiction we have not imagined.

The island was settled — probably about A.D. 700.

There are several hundred free-roaming horses on the island, families mostly, and they often share the roads with you but are thoughtful in moving aside. There are 10 or 12 hotels, the most desirable one being the Hotel O’TAI, with lovely gardens, comfortable rooms, a pool, good breakfast, a friendly staff and reasonable rates. The people who live on Easter Island are friendly and often very beautiful.