Practicing sustainability is one thing; actually getting environmentally friendly results is quite another. Count the efforts of explora Rapa Nui a success as an organic garden planted on remote Easter Island by local partner Mike Rapu is bearing fruit. And zucchini. And bell peppers. And sweet potatoes. And much more – all without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
The organic garden took root at Posada de Mike Rapu in November 2012 – mid-spring in the southern hemisphere. From seeding to cropping, Rapu supervised every detail of the 4.5-hectare (11.12-acre) plot laid out on the lodge grounds. An accomplished “agriculturalist,” Rapu is a firm believer in the great potential of responsible gardening to provide fresh produce for explora travelers while setting a positive example for island dwellers.
What can explora travelers look forward to on the dining circuit at Posada de Mike Rapu? Fresh, organically grown lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, ciboulette, zucchini, bell peppers, sweet peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, melon, watermelon, spinach, pineapple, and more. The garden is also open to peruse, and explora travelers can arrange guided tours upon request.
The new organic garden is perfect fit for Posada de Mike Rapu, which is situated in seclusion on a hill overlooking the Pacific in the Te Miro Oone area of Easter Island. Opened in 2008, the 30-room lodge was the first in South America to be granted LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. With the garden now producing, explora Rapa Nui anticipates being able to cut back on the amount of food it airlifts from mainland Chile, reducing CO2 emissions as a result.
Bon appétit!
Rates at explora Rapa Nui from $2,385 per person for a three night all-inclusive stay. For more information or to make reservations, please contact explora toll free at (866) 750-6699, email reserve@explora.com, or visit the website at www.explora.com.
