Before Lewis the Lion left Easter Island, he managed to visit the local church which was so packed that it had many people couldn’t get in the door and were standing on the steps at the back. Lewis wasn’t surprised as there was such a warm sense of community with some of the most uplifting singing he’d ever heard. The congregation just broke out spontaneously into various harmonies as they sang out in Rapa Nui. It was wonderful to hear and to be part of this celebration. Furthermore, there were beautiful wood carvings in the church to admire.
The Catholic Church in Hanga Roa
As it was his last day on the island, typically it suddenly started to feel like the tropical island that he imagined before arriving as the sun came out hot and strong.
Easter Island is a paradise island for Lewis the Lion
He therefore had a wander down to the shoreline where, like in the Galapagos Islands, he spotted some giant turtles swimming by. How marvellous to see these extraordinary creatures, especially as the moai stood so close by!
Easter Island has giant turtles too!
Before leaving, he wanted to see if some of his questions about this mysterious island might be answered in the anthropological museum? This was a fascinating museum but some of the historians had different theories about the moai, such as how they were moved?
Moai on the beach near the museum
So, even if Lewis the Lion couldn’t be sure about his questions, he kind of thought it was cool that we just don’t know the answers for everything. Lewis just loved intrigue and mystery as it allowed his imagination to run riot! He did discover however that the Moai were created as part of worship to the Rapa Nui’s people’s ancestors and that they always faced inland, guarding over their people and blessing them. He learnt that the Moai were carved out of the red rock of the Rano Raraku quarry on the island and originally all had coral and rock eyes. The only example today is of the Ahu Ko Te Riko which is photographed below.
He discovered that there were even rare examples of female Moai statues and also learnt that there was a unique writing system on Easter Island which was found on specially crafted wooden tablets called Rongorongo.
Being an island, Lewis the Lion and his friends decided to enjoy some seafood before they left. Delicious!
Lewis the Lion enjoys some seafood pasta
He discovered that his flight back to Lima had once again been delayed but nonetheless, his hostel were very accommodating, not only allowing Lewis and his friends to chill out there all day long but also dropping them off at the airport with another gift. This time it was a necklace with a little ebony figurine of a moai to remind them of their stay on Easter Island. ‘What a kind gesture,’ Lewis the Lion thought. Again, he felt like a very lucky lion to have met such kind people.
Ahu Ko Te Riko with coral eyes
What fun he had had on this Chilean island and he hoped that one day he might return there.
If you had a chance to visit a remote island, where would it be?
Describe your perfect ‘paradise’ island.
What would the scenery be like?
What would make it so special?
