When I visited Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, a little over a year ago it was stunningly isolated. Just a few thousand people lived on the island, mostly in the one small town of Hanga Roa. Groceries were purchased in a small garage-like building on a brick street and there were only a handful of small hotels for tourists. Nothing glamorous — fairly basic lodging.

There was talk at the time among the locals of a new hotel that was to be built on the island’s south side. It was causing some concern and I could understand why. Few places have escaped the plastification of tourism and it would be sad to see this remote outpost fall as well. I was picturing in my mind a rude concrete tower with a neon-lit casino and shuttles buzzing to and fro hauling tourists to the various archeological sites.

Today, I find this on the internet:

I guess I feel a little better. The newly opened Explora En Rapa Nui appears to be a very nice hotel. The architecture fits in nicely with the landscape and bears some resemblance to the ruins of Orongo that perch on the cliffs of Easter Island’s southwest coast. Still, you wonder what the impact of this hotel will be on the island. Is it just the first in a long line of “improvements”? Is a Starbucks soon to follow? I hope the island can retain its charm. And I hope that whatever further changes come are good for the local people.