Here stand statues, Moai, who gaze either inward toward the center of the island in quiet contemplation, or outward toward the surrounding sea with fierce grimaces, protecting that which they own by birthright.
To whom do we owe the pleasure of the existence of these magnificent statues? Some think they are representations of alien visitors. Most believe they were carved by their own descendants to represent the great chieftains of this warrior nation, their mana, their life force, their continued existence after death.
Whatever the reason they exist, they are magnificent, wise, mysterious, enigmatic creations and I spent many hours in front of them imagining the wars, the changes, the countless sunrises they have seen in their 900 years of existence.
The Rapa Nui, the inhabitants of Easter Island, arrived on small boats. How they found this tiny 64 mile-square island, located 2300 miles from the nearest large landmass, is a mysterious miracle in itself. But find it, they did, and they created a unique warrior culture. No one knows for sure why these people created the Moai statues, but they were built, intentionally destroyed, and then rebuilt throughout much of the history of this island. Toward the end of this culture, civil wars between clans almost completely destroyed the culture and many of the statues, but those that were spared are a constant source of amazement and wonder to the people lucky enough to view them today.
I am blessed to have been able to spend time on this remarkable island. I count it as one of the best experiences in my life.
