The landscape had me stoked the whole time – especially the coastline which is visible from most parts of the little island. The contrast of colors and textures makes for a stunning visual: vast ocean with different hues of vibrant blue, vivid greenery complete with palm trees, large meadows of dense grass, bumpy dirt roads giving an authentic exploration vibe, caves – some that are still used for “getaways” by Rapa Nui families, and my favorite natural feature – volcanoes, which also means interesting craters and abundant lava rock. So, the natural features are incredible as is, and then you throw all the moai and wild horses in the mix and it truly felt unreal the majority of the time.

We did not expect such a tropical feel because images on the internet are a bit out dated. We overheard a tour guide telling her group that 20 years ago the island wasn’t this lush; the restoration efforts of the soil and the land are a recent development. Lucky us to reap the benefits of those efforts!

The  landscape of the island actually has a large part in the mystical history of the early Rapa Nui people. The land has experienced drastic change since it was first discovered in it’s lush, tree-filled state. Overpopulation, human activity, and a massive fire are the leading factors that exhausted the natural resources and vegetation of the island.