The exorbitant cost of living on Easter Island becomes apparent the moment you step off the plane.
The weather on Easter Island during the summer truly tests a traveler's mettle. One second it's clear skies, and the next, a downpour ensues. The afternoon thunderstorms are particularly intense, with the town flooding in less than five minutes. The coffee-colored muddy water rises rapidly, reaching up to the knees and making it seem like cars are traversing through chocolate syrup.
I arrived at the airport two hours early, prepared to catch a morning domestic flight to Easter Island. With plenty of time to spare, I leisurely enjoyed breakfast and then proceeded to customs at a relaxed pace. At the gate, not only was I asked to fill out an entry form, but I also found myself in a queue that seemed to move at the typical pace of international flights.