Ahu Vinapu, explored by William Mulloy in 1958, is an archaeological site containing large, carefully fitted slabs of basalt, whose accurately fitted stonework showed contact with Peru. The remains of 3 platforms can be found - Ahu Tahira, Ahu Vinapu and a third one with almost no remains left.
Ahu Tahira at Vinapu
One of the 6 moai that toppled off the platform at Ahu Tahira.
A close-up of the same moai as above.
A very large pukao of red volcanic stone.
Sofia informs us that the great red stone monolith column in front of the ahu
and unearthed in 1956 by William Mulloy, may be a female moai.
The detailed dental exam supported details of thin arms and hands,
small breasts and pronounced navel.
Puna Pao
The volcanic quarry where the pukao (hats) for the moai were carved from red scoria rock. Approximately 20 exist in various shapes and sizes and provide archaeologists with clues about the Rapa Nui technology, art and history.
Moai with a pukao on top were thought to have more power, were more majestic and important. Another theory is that the pukao represented hair, and since it was a custom for high-ranking men to have long hair tied in a bun on top of their heads, the pukao distinguished them from other common men.
The underside of a pukao. (Remind you of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting?)
The 7 identical moai at Ahu Akivi
One of the only inland ahus on the island.
A sacred place looking out toward the Pacific Ocean.
Also known as a celestial observatory set up around the 16th century, they exactly face sunset during the spring equinox and have their backs to the sunrise during the autumn equinox.
Lunch...empanadas, pisco sours, seafood - amazing!
Our host and hostess at Vai Uri.
We ate in the tent on the right - how about that view???
Our beautiful table setting - looking out to the sea.
The protective moai watching over us (making sure we clean our plates).
During lunch we were entertained by Lynne and Al, who could easily do stand-up comedy. Lynne loves to shop. Al watches the credit cards. Whenever she ventures out on her own he uses an app to track her whereabouts. During the entire trip, when they are together in a shopping area, Lynne asks Al about possible purchases. His answer is always the same - "no".
After lunch there were several choices as to what to do next. We had to get organized for our departure to Santiago the next day while some folks went out on a boat to look at the moai from the sea and others tried to do some last-minute shopping.
Nicole picked up some cheeses, cut veggies, wine and tuna + cheese empanadas that were nice and large and greasy - absolutely delicious! We returned to watch the sunset over the moai at Tahai Beach. Lynne was so preoccupied with eating and watching the sunset that she didn't even realize that she had her bunched-up underwear static-clinging to her leg inside her pants until Connie asked her if she had some kind of elastic wrap underneath (ha ha). I asked her if she had a severe case of varicose veins. Well we laughed about that wadded-up underwear for hours.
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