- Introduction
- The Ritz Carlton Central Park
- LAN Business Class
- Exploring Central Chile
- The Grand Hyatt Santiago
- Exploring Easter Island
- Exploring Machu Picchu
- Conclusion
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is known for it’s Moai (the Easter Island heads/statues) and the mystery behind it. But it’s also the most remote place on earth – nothing else is within 200 miles of the little island. Still, the most remote place on earth is reachable by frequent flyer miles. 4 of us got on the LAN flight from Santiago using British Airways miles (now Avios). Seeing the Moai is seemingly a once in a lifetime opportunity, made possible for free (I got all of us there with one credit card bonus (100,000 Amex Platinum bonus with a 50% bonus on transfers to BA)).
The mystery of how the giant Moai got transported all around this island is a mystery that has inspired books upon books. The death of it’s mysterious natives is another story in itself. I’ve wanted to visit ever since reading Jared Diamond’s book Collapse and thus, it was an exciting trip for me.
Although, the first thing I notice is that there are no major hotels on the island, meaning… no rewards points would help! Not wanting to get an over-priced hotel, we stayed at a campground for $5 a night. Totally doable on an island for four nights, though not exactly the Ritz or Hyatt.
Renting a car (from our host) to see the sites up north is a must. It would be a long walk, although I do have a friend who did it on a bike. I think you’ll find that there is too much to see to not have a car. And too little to see to stay more than a few nights. There is one tiny little beach on the island and little else besides the Moai sites.
