More fascinating Moai, these the only ones facing the sea, supposedly looking for the first king sailing to the island with the remainder of the population from a sinking island (the nearest one being some 1800 miles). Some were restored, some original, but well preserved. The history is as important as the site and a good guide is well worth it. More fascination on this island
Taking pictures at night is just wonderful! We left our hotel at about 22:00 to take pictures of Moai by night. The atmosphere was incredible. One can almost feel spirits of the past lurking in the dark behind the huge Moai statues of Ahu Akivi.
Not as impressive as Ahu Tongariki but still a nice stop to get your Moai pictures and wonder what the heck these were all about.
Ahu Akivi was the first site on Rapa Nui to be restored in 1960. It features 7 moai facing the setting sun so a good place to come for sunset if the weather cooperates. It is a small site but I liked it enough to visit twice. This is an easy access site and the elderly or infirm should have no problem with it.
As we learned during our four days on Easter Island, almost all of the Moai were situated such that they faced the interior of the island, thus looking over the people inhabiting the island. This, however, is the only location on the island at which the Moai statues face the ocean, if only because this is the only instance of where the Moai statues are in the interior of the island and thus must be facing outward.
Best to see this at sunrise or at 'magic hour,' as these Moai are oriented to view the sunset at the equinox. No facilities, but the locals set up a souveneir stand in an unobtrusive way.
On a big Ahu, 7 Moai await you while overlooking the ocean. These are the only inland Moai that look towards the Pacific Ocean. It's a very sacred place, as the statues are astronomically aligned. Very easy to find, and can be combined with a hike to the top of the island.
These are the only moai facing the sea, and are said to represent the seven Polynesian explorers who found the island originally.
After seeing scores of Moai all over Rapa Nui, Ahu Akivi may seem like just another sight. But for some reason, the seven Moai standing there for hundreds of years, made a strong impression on us. What I especially was struck by was the sense of a 'lastingness' when I walked behind the platform and looked up at the backs of these Moai who had witnessed days and nights and tempests and the birds flying and the grass growing and the cows who grazed all around them for more than a thousand years. We were so taken by them, that when we found a replica in the Feria Artesenal in Hanga Roa, we bought it to place on a special stand at home, so we can remember what for us are these Special Seven.
So peaceful, spiritual and lifelike. A great place to relax and absorb the energy of Easter Island. Great caves close by, better to go with a guide