More than 3,500 kilometers from the nearest point of South America and 4,251 kilometers from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, is geographically one of the most remote inhabited places on earth.

Photography by Phillie Casablanca

This small triangle in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean is a total mystery to the most renowned experts and a unique and magical place for visitors who have the opportunity to explore its amazing volcanic landscapes littered with moai.

Because if a picture comes to mind when thinking of Rapa Nui or Easter Island are those unique and gigantic stone statues staring at the skyline. But once satisfied the eagerness to see the moai mythical, there is still much to discover, many unsolved mysteries and places of unique beauty and unforgettable.

In this place we are reminded of the impressive image of the crater Rano Kau volcano, covered by dozens of lakes within and Nick making his way to a Pacific blue. To access the volcano can be reached by car or motorbike, but if you elect to go walking from the island’s only town, Hanga Roa, the climb offers even more sense in the light ahead. It is difficult to assume that at some point we will have to go and leave behind this natural masterpiece without acknowledging prior to volcanic activity, rain, erosion, winds, the scourge of the sea and ultimately to all elements have been sculpting this place. But we’re not the first to be caught by the enchantment of Rano Kau, the first inhabitants of the island fell under his spell and choosing just the top of the volcano and the hillside that drops to break abruptly on a cliff above the ocean, as its center ceremonial.

It is from the ceremonial center of Rano Kau from where the sharp currency best island where every year young people from different clans risked their lives to get the prized eggs of a species of swallow native to become Tangata Manu, the bird-men. This appointment were given the honor of governing the island for a year.

Photography by woody1778a

When we are literally risking their lives because it was not just a sporting competition, but the steep cliffs, raging waters raging almost constantly the shores of Easter Island and the many sharks that swim in its waters caused numerous casualties among the participants.

An island shrouded in mystery:

The mysteries of those who spoke at the beginning of Article breathe through every pore of the volcanic Rapa Nui. The most prestigious historians do not agree on the origin of the first settlers of the island. Although the town is considered rapanui brother Polynesian ethnic groups, there are theories linking him to the Moche, the indigenous people of northern Chile.

Others, like the Peruvian historian José Antonio de Busto go further and speak of an expedition of the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, based on accounts of the early Spanish chroniclers who arrived on the island and collected local stories on the journey of the Inca ruler, also called the «Inca Traveler» for its shipments outside of Cusco.

Despite its isolation, Easter Island has become a crossroads of cultures and languages today which give this small triangle in mid-ocean volcanic a very particular personality, hard to compare to other places.

Photography by Viajar24h.com

Other unknowns such as the total deforestation of the island, the moai toppled or loss of the only Polynesian’s writing, we will tell in future posts.