A leisurely morning as I was on the second flight to Santaigo which was leaving at 2:30 PM. Because of “Rapa Nui” time and the slowness of LATAM personel it was recommended that we leave for the airport (10 minutes away) by 11:30. After breakfast I simply sat in the lobby to read the news of the day and continue working on this blog. 

The scene at the hotel lobby was truly international. I heard some Italian, some German, the obvious many Spanish-speaking people, and the arrival of a tour group from France. Although we had not seen many Asians while we were here Nico said his next tour group will be 50 Chinese who obviously will bring their own translator.

At 11:30 we made the quick trip to the airport. Nico surprised me by not changing his mind about wanting to send flowers to the girl in Texas, giving me US dollars and her address. I promised to not let him down and send him an e-mail with the details when I get home. 

Yesterday I had asked Nico if he wanted my pair of old Rockport walking shoes that I had planned to leave behind. He wears a larger size but said he had “cousins” who would be more than good to receive them. I delivered them to him this morning and he seemed happy to receive them.

As we departed at the airport Nico and our driver, Jose, gave each of us a small necklace with a small moai pendant. I was touched at their thoughtfulness. Tips to the local guides and drivers are paid by Vantage so there was no need to add extra, but I was grateful for their gesture and handled them some extra money to buy a few “cervezas”. They were wonderful local hosts and we enjoyed our time with them immensely.

Although we had been warned about the likely airport jam, check-in began about 45 minutes after we arrived and because of our early arrival we were first in line and things went smoothly.  There was another 20 minute or so wait until immigration opened. Again we were first in line so the processing went quickly. Once past security we found that the airport had ample outdoor seating at the gate so it was a fairly pleasant wait for our flight, which departed on time, again with a pretty full plane.

The negative to the 2:30 PM departure is that we do not arrive in Santiago until 9:30PM. Luckily because of the two hours the hotel bar and ordered  time zone change it will only be 7:30 body time. I did not think I would bother having dinner since we had a decent lunch on the plane but thought a before sleep drink might be in order so I went to the hotel bar and ordered one of their pretty good Manhattans. While waiting for its delivery I scanned the bar food menu and decided a bowl of chicken soup might be good for my cold, so I ordered It. It did hit the spot.

Reflection on Rapa Nui:  As you probably had noticed there are very few trees on the island. Supposedly eons ago it was tree covered but the inhabitants gradually cut them down to clear the land and to use for various other reasons, and did not replant. Some say this eventual deforestation and loss of resources led to tribal warfare and even cannibalism for a time.

Rapa Nui is certainly a throwback to olden times, yet most people are happy with it as it is. The question is will tourism help or hinder the population- time will tell.