Returning from our ship’s tour about 14:15, we still had 4 hours until the last tender was scheduled to depart the dock, so lots of time for some additional exploring. Judi didn’t want to go for a hike, so she spent some time browsing the ample supply of local junk on display around the harbour. With no interest in the looking at the same stuff we saw a few days ago, I set off along the waterfront road, with no plan other than walking for a couple of hours to wherever the road took me.

After leaving Judi, I hiked up to the Moai prominently standing at the rear of the tender harbour. Built on a long Ahu, or base, it was erected facing the town, with its back towards the harbour.

Tender harbour Moai.

The tenders used a small portion of the multi-purpose harbour, which also housed a local fishing fleet.

Inshore end of the harbour with the fish boats secured in a small cove next to a restaurant/cafe.

Centre of the harbour with fishing fleet to the right and tender dock to the left.

Wide-angled shot of the harbour from the palm tree lined fishing harbour to the tender pier, with local homes on the hill behind the harbour.

Leaving the harbour, I walked along a single track dirt road with ruts almost 12” deep, with the local vehicles just passing along as if the ruts didn’t exist. Once clear of the harbour, the road followed the shoreline for over one mile to the area that is the closest to what you would probably call downtown. Immediately on clearing the harbour I had an excellent view of the approach channel and volcano in the background.

Ship’s tender navigating along the harbour entrance channel with the slope of the volcano transitioning to an almost vertical cliff down to the ocean.

Ship’s tender approaching the dock having safely navigated through the rock pile.

A short distance ahead I found a viewpoint with an excellent view of Sea Princess anchored safely, just offshore.

The road continued in a wide turn around the above hotel, which with huge windows provided the guests exceptional ocean views, especially today with Sea Princess in full view.

Just after the hotel I came across a government building with an excellent view of the coastline from the rear parking spots. This is looking up the west coast passed the local town.

Sea Princess at anchor, as seen from the hotel in the previous photograph.

Captain, we seem to be pointing in the wrong direction to Sydney, which is a mere 4,344 miles. Check out the sign post.

Moai type statue on the main street between the harbour and downtown. Next up was a row of rather nice waterfront houses with spectacular views.

Row of very nice waterfront homes.

Two very nice waterfront homes. I especially liked the one with small round rocks and stones on the front.

This is a bank with amazing stone carvings on the outside panels.

Located on a corner, this area has a restaurant at street level with the pool and trees below at the water level. Unfortunately, this was one of the many businesses that were closed today. Probably because it is Sunday. I continued through downtown which has another small fishing harbour and a football field on the main street opposite the harbour.

Downtown fishing harbour with Sea Princess lying at anchor in the background. Continuing through the downtown area, I passed another closed restaurant on the water side, then passed a kid’s park before reaching a large grassy park.

Looking back downtown with a couple of restaurants on the left and the large, grassy park on the right.

Grassy parkland on the shoreline, looking up the west coastline.

Rough black lava coastline looking along the west coast.

From the shoreline in vicinity of the cemetery, looking inland at the low rise hill adorned with housing.

About 2 miles from the ship, I decided to turnaround and return to the ship, walking along the shoreline wherever accessible. This is looking back towards the downtown area.

Looking across the rough grazing land to the grassy waterfront park. This rough grazing area was home to a number of Moai and other statues.

Moai type statue in the grazing area that has been well preserved.

Moai type statue built on a metal platform.

Another Moai type statue.

Lava coastline with Sea Princess at anchor.

This is an amazing paddling pool constructed from the shoreline that I literally stumbled upon by walking along the shore. It is not visible from the road due to the strand of palm trees that provide some shade.

From the palm trees looking across the paddling pool with Sea Princess in the background.

Wow, this one was rather raunchy

From the first headland on the other side of downtown looking back along the coastline with Sea Princess at anchor. From here I strolled back to the ship, arriving at the tender harbour about 16:30. I missed the first tender, but caught the 2nd one back to the ship.

What a spectacular day, especially since we really didn’t expect to get ashore at Easter Island.