Today was diving day. I have read a lot about the diving on the island and everyone raved about it. Our first dive spot for the morning was Moto Nui. This was the famous islet that the birdmen competed to climb and claim their prize of the first egg. We would be exploring the depth below. With visibility up to about 70m and some of the most unblemished coral I have seen this was a good way to spend the morning.
Our second dive was in the bay of Hanga Roa but aptly called the ‘Moai dive’. The main attraction was a sunken underwater moai lying as if on a sunlounger at an angle with his hands sitting satisfactorily on his belly. Ok – so it is a “fake” replica but still looked very cool with lots of coral all over his face. The highlight of the dive was a big, 60-70cm sized Hawksbill turtle that Adrie spotted. Initially it had hidden under a rock but then casually sneaked out and glided away.
Surprisingly, the bay also had loads of very friendly yellow fin tuna. They seemed to follow us like stray dogs as we swam around. It was very odd seeing massive tuna passing by all the time within touching distance. All I could think about was lunch.
And what do you have for lunch when it is baking hot at 11am – ice cream! For a moment I did think of all my friends and colleagues going back to work today after the holidays, but then I ordered another ice cream… #sorrynotsorry!
While we walked back into town I noticed something that looked like a “floating rock” quite close to the shore – I know, a “floating rock” didn’t make sense to me either. But after a quick glance we found a juvenile Green Sea turtle chewing on the sea weed. With every wave he was washed off his rock with his lunch and had to fight his way back. The closer you looked the more you found. Suddenly there were two, three, four more turtles no more than two meters off shore. We were about to leave (I think we needed another ice cream) when I noticed this massive Green Sea turtle. He was probably about 1,5m long and also eating lunch, except he wasn’t getting washed around by anything. Definitely the biggest turtle I have ever seen.
It always amazes me; there is so much going on and so much fascinating life in the sea but we only ever catch glimpses of this underwater world.
Tonight was our last night so we had some (excellent!) local fish and cocktails. When asked what the grilled fish was, the waiter replied: “Tuna, everything is tuna!” Delicious, but I just hope it wasn’t one of my friends from this morning.
Some of the best tuna ceviche we’ve ever had!
Saying farewell to Easter Island with the strongest mojito ever and a gorgeous papaya daiquiri