The distant view of Rano Raraku is beautiful enough to get excited about, but exploring up close and learning the history is awing. The quarry is home to 397 moai variations including those that are: situated high up on the wall of the crater, incomplete, sunk partially or wholly into the ground, carved into the rock wall, facing toward sky and face planted. The story of the quarry says ‘the short ears’ were the slaves constructing the moai under the power of ‘the long ears’ until the short ears revolted overthrowing the rule of the long ears and halting construction on the site. The quarry tells a visual story that really allows your imagination to start envisioning the mystical Rapa Nui people.
Exploring Epic 
Great photos not often seen with quarry in background. thanks
Glad you enjoyed! The quarry was incredible, it deserves recognition.
It’s a magical island. Your pictures make me want to go back. Thanks!
It sure is a magical place! I am glad you could experience some nostalgia. I am already doing the same!
If you want some more nostalgia, go to this post and watch the sunrise video with the sound up. The sound of the wind, roosters, horses and dogs takes me there in a second without the 25 hour trip! I find it has a simple peacefulness that I loved there. This is just a two minute time lapse. http://journeysbyjill.com/2012/06/11/frightened-by-fur-on-easter-island-day-4/
This must have been such a wonderful experience!! I cant wait to visit it!
It really was incredible. I am excited for you to experience it yourself!
Such wonderful photographs! How long did/are you staying there for? I’m visiting the island in September for a few days, and was wondering which parts are your favourites (so I know what’s best to see)?
I was there for a week, which we felt was a perfect amount of time. If you can only be there for a few days, I would suggest doing a tour one day and renting a car for the rest. We took our tour with a great man named Pato (Patricio) and it’s best to learn about the history as you see some major sights. Anakena was a wonderful beach and if you are into hiking I would check out Terevaka and Rano Kau/Orongo (next to each other). You can check out my other posts about those places and get a better idea. The whole island is amazing, it’s hard to choose favorites 🙂
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it! I’ll try to cram in as much as I can in the 5 days I’m there! The quarry sounds spectacular, and I love the look of Orongo and Rano Kau, so I’ll definitely check them out. It’s going to be tough to choose though, but your lovely blog should give me lots of inspiration!