Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Rapa Nui, or Easter Island (as the original discoverers named it),  is one of the world's most isolated populated islands-- located more than 1200 miles west of Chile.

It is famous for the ancient giant head statues (moai), and is an interesting place to shoot pictures.

We visited with Explora-- a fantastic and pricey destination.  If you are ever going to splurge, this might be the resort.  It has 30 rooms, each with an ocean view, and is LEED cetified.  The food, rooms and facilities are 5 star, and the staff is very knowledgable about the island.

Rapa Nui is the white dot in the middle of the Pacific Ocean

Look out the window on your final approach, and you may
see Moia

Polynesian history is often violent, and the history of this island is no exception.  It seems that the entire island could be an archaeological dig-- since once you know what you are looking for, evidence of this ancient society is all around you.

Captain Cook visited in 1774

It is so remote, that flights arrived only 3 times a week-- from Santiago or Tahiti.  Everyone stops and watches the planes land.

The runway seemed strangely huge to me, until I found out that the U.S. built it as an emergency landing site for the space shuttle.

Explora picnic lunch at a tide pool-- exquisite.

One of the funny parts of our visit was discovering the local 'pop' music-- that was often played in the Explora open air bar.  Our favorite single was "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (A wi ma we)-- yes the old Tokens hit.  A warm humid breeze, a pina colada made from a fresh juiced pineapple, and local music.

What an experience!

Paris- December

The classiest subway sign ever.

Paris in springtime, Paris in the fall, Paris in December??

Funny enough, this is one of our favorite times to visit Paris.  No one seems to decorate with as much panache as Parisians.  It doesn't matter if you are in a tiny bistro, a cheese shop, or a large department store (Le Printemps is one I recommend)-- the decorations are breathtaking.

Montparnasse Cemetary

Mary waiting for the arrival of the baby
until Christmas morning

Great statuary on the Cathedral

It's worth walking around Notre Dame
to see the flying buttresses

Tour boats run all year on the Seine

Beautiful mango display in a Sunday morning Farmer's market

Parisian shops and restaurants spare no expense
on Christmas decor

Enjoy a coffee here in good (former) company:
Sartre, Hemingway, Camus and Picasso
Check here for more history of Les Deux Magots 

Candlelit medieval church