Chico and his Mandolin, Easter Island, Chile

Day 4 — Monday, November 26, 2007 – With our island Tour Guide Patricia and our driver Chico, our first stop was at Vaihu, a place which is surrounded by enormous statues (moais) which had fallen face down. This was a ceremonial center (ahu) where the elders of the Rapa Nui culture passed down the oral history.

Within the ahu there were burial sites of generations of kings. The moai are actual images of the dead leaders facing into the island to protect the living people. We had to be very respectful of these sacred areas of the national park as this is a World Heritage site. Chico took the time to serenade us with one of his songs.

Today, Chico (Carlos Alfredo Mardones Riroroko) is the island alderman, representing the native population.

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