I got up this morning and did one final drive around the island. I went to Tongariki and had it all to myself. Still amazing! Then on to Ahu Akivi and again. Had it all to myself. I took the picture attached to this article this morning. Then to Tahai Complex.
I also had time to go by the cemetary and look around. It it just north of town on the west coast. The gate was closed and so i resisted my initial reaction to hop the fence and take a stroll around. Instead, i respectfully viewed from behind the wall. It looked like a great cemetary too. I hate i didn´t get to wander through it. The tombstones were really interesting as you can tell from the photos I´ve added.
Then it was a stop off at the church i had passed a million times going in and out of town. It is small, but has a lot of native artwork that is interesting for a church. I was hoping I would be here on a Sunday when i first planned this, but it wouldn´t work out. I hear they have a very full and energized service on Sundays. It would have been great to be there in person.
I´ve added some photos from yesterday and this morning. Don´t miss Tongariki from the top of the quarry. That turned out nice. I have had such a fantastic time! So much to see and do here, but I managed to squeeze it all in by keeping up a steady "Alleen pace". . . and those of you who have ever tried to keep up when walking with me know i can cover a lot of territory in a small amount of time. One more day would have been perfect. I could have stayed longer at some sites and then also hiked the northern coast that you can´t see in a car, but takes a full aternoon. Next time, right¿
I leave in a few hours to go to Santiago and then I have a late night flight to Puerto Montt. I have just about 8 hours there and then on to Punta Arenas. It was much cheaper to make that short stop in Puerto Montt. So, Tomorrow, penguins!!
