On day 42, we hit terrible weather enroute to Robinson Crusoe Island. Didn't hold out much hope of actually anchoring there...too windy for tenders, probably. We made it after all, but not much to do unless one wanted to take a very serious hike uphill.
Easter Island. This was the big one, but we couldn't get into the main town, Hanga Roa, to anchor and tender because the swells were too much. Even the "dedicated" customs guys couldn't approach, so we moved to Anakena Beach, a place that does not have a tender pier, but has these:
Getting ashore in Anakena was no mean feat. The story was that the floating platform that was to be used for disembarking the tenders was damaged. We waited for hours while Captain and crew figured an angle, finally using one of our tenders as a landing platform. We will just say that it was a harrowing experience because the swells were fairly heavy at the beach. Pati was actually shaking when we made land, but our tender crew kept us alive.
That said, one goes to Easter Island, or in the native language, Rapa Nui, to see the amazing Moai. We did. This is Akivi:
Interesting island life. Dogs roam freely as do horses, the latter either grazing by the road or trotting down the middle of it. Only the cattle are fenced in, and loosely at that. One place had quite a collection of roosters, chickens, dogs, and cats. One kitty jumped right into our bus and made friends. This guy seemed to be the gang's leader.
Later, we saw the aftermath of our landing. Two tenders, the one used as the platform and the other the one that carried us ashore, were both torn to shit. It was mostly cosmetic, skins, scrapes, and bruises, but enough that they'll need repair that can't be done onboard and will have to wait for dry dock. I guess the company isn't going to can the captain, but this is gonna cost some bucks.
Big barbecue onboard that night, and you know you're with old people when everyone knows how to participate during "Sweet Caroline".
