Post #414468 by croe67 on Mon, Oct 20, 2008 2:44 PM

When I was on the island in January, I did see the lodge from the road. It was much more understated than I thought it would be & blends with the terrain more than I had expected (frankly, I expected the worst). It is still the only thing in an area that is completely uninhabited & natural. It would have been much better to leave that part of the island unspoiled. I dread the day that another resort could pop-up under similar circumstances.

Part of the Rapa Nui experience is staying in a Residenciale, getting to know the locals - if you're on some luxury resort, you could pretty much be anywhere.

We also heard from a tour guide that Explora doesn't pay their tour guides all that well & that they have to work really long hours (probably because they are escorting all of their patrons into town?) Apparently some of the tips can be good, but our tour guide didn't think it would be worth the long hours & hassle of working for Explora.