In 2008 we visited Chile for the first time and got a glimpse of the most northern part of an area known as “Patagonia”, an area dominated by mountains, glaciers and spectacular scenery. Since then it has been on my bucket list to explore the area in more depth. In 2015 I thought we would get to see more of it while on a cruise around South America that was supposed to stop in Punta Arenas,  which is in the heart of Patagonia, but a medical emergency of a passenger prevented us from visiting the port so my quest to see more of the area remained on my bucket list.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) lies 2300 miles off the coast of Chile, out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is noted for its famous stone statues(some 1000) called “moai” that continue to puzzle scientists of their origin. It has grabbed my interest as I really have come to enjoy ancient civilizations.

 

Then suddenly I got a brochure from Vantage Adventures that offered a trip that not only focused on Patagonia but offered an extension to Easter Island. It was fate and I decided I needed to go. My trusty travel companion, Yvonne, decided this trip was not on her bucket list. She is looking forward to three other upcoming trips in 2019 to France, Svalbard (Norway) and Germany so I am venturing off on my own, but I will be a part of a tour group of about 20 people.  I leave on January 21, 2019 and return on February 8. So if this region of the world interests you follow me as I explore it. Hopefully the internet will be good enough to allow me to publish updates in a timely fashion.