The most remote inhabited place on earth, Easter Island, as seen from the plane window.

The ancient Rapa Nui people built these imposing stautes all over the island. Ahu Akivi, with 7 Moai, is the only altar where the Moai look seaward.

The pouring rain and high winds added to the mystery and allure of the archeological site on our first day.

There are over 1000 petroglyphs carved up on this rocky cliffside and 53 restored houses like this one. We sit in front of one of the tiny entrances.

Ranu Kau, a volcano whose crater is 1.6 km in diameter. The freshwater lake you see is full of tall Totoru reeds.

We rented a quad and drove all along the coast. There are ruins of enormous statues and altars all over the island.

Michael is in the foreground of the impressive Tongiriki. We arrived at this spiritual site just before sunset and had it all to ourselves.

well....except for the horses.

Ahu Tongiriki is the largest platform on the island with 15 Moai. One Moai still wears its red topknot.

Lisa enjoys the vastness of this great place.

My husband, the photographer, in action.

A topknot made of red scoria sits by the sea, probably toppled along with nearby Moai by enemies of the clan.

Rano Raraku is the site of the Moai quarry once used by all the island's clans. Statues were abandoned for various reasons like lack of money or war.

Carving of this Moai was probably stopped when irregularities in the hard volcanic tuff were found.

There are 398 Moai in various stages of construction all over the quarry, many buried up to their heads in the field.

People believe this amazingly round stone is sacred and contains Manna from the Gods. If you rest your head on it, you can obtain some Manna too.

This pristine altar is at the site of the island's most beautiful white sand beach, Anakena.

The altar was incredibly well preserved when it was excavated in the 1970's because it was buried in the sand.

Hangin' on the beach with the beautiful altar in the background.

This Moai stands proudly on one of the main roads in town, right next to the tiny town dock.

We enjoyed meeting Bernie & his wife. Bernie is a skilled blues musician and French gypsy from New Orleans!

Lisa in front of the town church. A mixture of Catholiscm and native religion are evident.

This horse is tied to a tree on the main street in town; a typical site.