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With 15 gigantic stone-carved moai lined up on a 200-foot-long platform and a remote location framed by the looming Rano Raraku volcano and the crashing ocean, Ahu Tongariki is nothing short of spectacular. For many visitors, this is the star attraction of Easter Island. Gazing up at these towering figures, with the tallest reaching 14 meters, it's hard not to marvel at the Rapa Nui people. They achieved the seemingly impossible feat of carving and moving these 30-ton stone boulders to their waterfront perch.
Ahu Tongariki stands as the largest ceremonial site ever constructed on the island, boasting the highest number of moai ever erected in one place. Each statue is unique, and only one is adorned with the iconic red-rock "pukao," or ceremonial headdress. Even more astounding is that despite their massive size and weight, the site was almost completely destroyed by a tsunami in 1960, with the rocks hurled over 90 meters inland. The ahu has since been meticulously restored, a project led by Chilean archaeologists Claudio Cristino and Patricia Vargas, which took five years and was completed in 1995.
If you visit, try to catch the sunrise here. The first light of day paints the moai in a breathtaking silhouette against the vibrant sky, creating a truly magical moment. The surrounding landscape, a blend of rugged coastline and lush greenery, adds to the enchanting allure of this ancient site. Don't forget to explore the nearby Rano Raraku quarry, where the moai were originally carved; it offers a deeper insight into the island's fascinating history.
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Orongo Ceremonial Village 
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