Easter Island - Rano Kau

We’ve arrived on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) for the first of our relatively extended sequence of island stays. After all the chatter about ridiculous prices, tourist machine etc. it was a pleasant surprise to find that whilst it is unashamedly a tourism driven economy aggressive tourist hassling is not a common pastime. Prices are Santiago level for a rather simpler lifestyle, but after staying in Santiago the purity of the air, water, green landscape and wonderful climate here is a revelation – all you want to do really is enjoy the simpler, quieter pleasures of life. The relaxed friendly lifestyle is quite a tonic, and the quality of life here seems pretty appealing!

Of course, obligaory pictures of the statues will likely follow, but focus so far has been on exploring the World Heritage site of Rano Kau – an extinct volcano. After a fairly arduous ascent in the heat we finally found what we came to see – the crater lake.

Rano Kau volcano crater

The large crater of Rano Kao has a freshwater lake inside with an amazing patchwork of marshy islands and causeways.

Marsh islands in Rano Kau crater lake.

The crater has its own microclimate, so there is verdant growth of vines and other plants not so prevalent elsewhere on the island. Beside the lake is the ceremonial site of Orongo with preserved traditional houses and impressive petroglyphs.

Petroglyphs at Orongo village, Rano Kau

Aside from the sunsets the stars are very clear here without much light pollution – an excellent opportunity to test out the new camera.. liking it so far!

Easter Island night sky. (20 second exposure, ISO 4000 with profiled noise reduction).