Yesterday on my arrival it was raining a bit but today from the morning we have beautiful sun… At the breakfast time I got bad news: the protesters block the entrances to the National Park. What is going on? When I was on this island 18 years ago less then 2000 people was living here. Now – 6000! Since long time local people ask the authorities to introduce control of the immigration to the island from continental Chile. They say that the island is overpopulated. As a result they suffer water shortages in the summer, power cut-offs. Supply ship is bringing goods three times per month, but before its arrival often there are shortages in the shops – they say. And since years they want a special law to solve the problem. Government sleeps and locals, supported by two politicians decided to protest – the tourists have no access to the most interesting places on the island. I took a long walk to the tiny port and then – along the coast east – to meet again the moais – famous stone statues staying on ahus – stone platforms or altars. Those ones around are out of the national park. Ahu Tahai and two single statues nearby are most impressive on this side of the island.
