Spiritus - Rapa Nui

Easter Island is an enigma. It is the most isolated place on the planet, 2400 miles from nearest land. Upon its “discovery” by Europeans in 1722 it was a place that had been recently ravaged by a collapse of its ecology and ethnicity. It was de-forested and the indigenous tribes were in a state of suspended chaos. Yet, despite it’s savage history Easter Island remains an intensely spiritual and sacred place, it is palpable. The greatest legacy left by the first peoples are the Moais. These are representations of the great chiefs of the many different tribes that were here. The Ahu is a sacred and powerful place. Yet the fervent expansion of the Moai cult eventually led to total de-forestation and collapse of the ecosystem. Today the Moais remain the connection to this ancient and proud people. They have endured the ravages of inter-tribal warfare, European discovery and tsunami. Some have been restored to their original positions.