RAPA NUI: A REMOTE CIVILIZATION

For as long as I can remember, my husband has been wanting to visit Rapa Nui or Easter Island. Some 30 years later, we finally made this bucket list dream a reality. Last month, we said goodbye to the kids and dog and set off for the long thin line that is remarkable Chile. After visiting Punta Arena, the southern most inhabited city, and trip to Isla Magdalena for some small but majestic nonetheless Magellan penguins, we trekked for a few days in magnificent Patagonia and then flew to the farthest reaches of anywhere on the planet: Rap Nui. About 8000 people live on the island, and about half are direct descendants of the Rapa Nui people who came to the island around 400 AD. The other half are mainly Chilean. Around 7000 horses also roam the island freely, although they are owned and branded. The highlight of the island are the awe inspiring Moai, the monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui between 1200 and 1500 AD from the volcanic quarry, Rano Raraku, on the island near the coast. The Moai, who represent the ancestors, weigh between 80 and 180 tons and are remarkably placed throughout the island. While many have been toppled for various reasons, significant areas have been restored. Reach out to me if you’d like to see more photos or learn about the Birdman Cult that replaced the Moai culture…equally amazing!

NAOSHIMA ISLAND - ARCHITECTURE & ART

This past December, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting one of what I consider to be one of Japan’s national treasure’s: Naoshima Island and the Benesse Art Site. Felt a bit like Planes, Trains and Automobiles getting there…bullet train, local train, ferry. Once there, you will not want to leave. Although, we were able to see most everything in the two days/nights we spent. Set on the Seto Inland Sea where the unspoiled landscape of Japan still exists, Benesse is a collection of art and architecture interwoven with nature. The art, while incredibly inspiring, is not the main focus. The island and the people who live there are the main focus, and the art brings out the charm of the island. Serene, magical, inspiring, contemplative and interactive, combining modern art with traditional Japanese housing and Tadao Ando architecture.

COPENHAGEN: A LIVABLE CITY

I recently spent a few days in Copenhagen and was very impressed with how livable this Scandinavian city is. And it wasn’t always so. Copenhagen has re-emerged over the past 30 years from a somewhat nondescript industrial city to a beacon of outstanding new architecture and a haven for foodies. Their Noma won best restaurant in the world so many times, it had to be removed from the competition. The architecture and housing is accessible to all with renters and homeowners living together in a very egalitarian society. Almost all spaces are public spaces including schoolyards and business parks. Lines are not drawn. Green space, water views, good architecture (not to mention sustainable) is provided for all regardless of income level. Another very impressive aspect of the Danish society in this livable city is the emphasis placed on getting to places more easily via bicycle than by automobile. There are even certain routes and bridges accessible only by bicycle that foster a much more economical means of travel. The guide on our architectural bicycle tour said that this gave her a feeling of having a super power!

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SRI LANKA A WELCOME PLACE FOR VISITORS

My family and I recently took a trip to Sri Lanka, and I'm often asked, “Why?” While I can easily reply, “Why not?” I would not be doing the country a service. Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful places I have visited with green lush jungle, tea plantations, the repetition across the landscape of temple, paddy, tank (watering hole or lake). The food is simple and sublime. The birding and search for leopards excites young and old, and of course the elephants. The elephants are a part of the culture, often a nuisance to farmers or worse…deadly. It is amazing to witness people living side by side with these incredible mammals. Sri Lanka has endured 150 years of colonization by the Portuguese, then 150 years by the Dutch and finally 150 years by the English. Not long after freedom, there was a long and horrendous civil war, followed by the tsumami and then Covid. Sri Lanka needs us and wants us to visit. If you have the means, go and explore, eat and drink in the beauty, the culture, the kind and gentle people.