Rapa Nui (Easter Island) as seen from offshore.

A view of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

The NOAA Ship RON BROWN off the boat basin at Easter Island. A moai looks inland from the harbor. All moai look inland.

The Rano Raraku quarry at Easter Island where the moai were cut out of volcanic rock and sculpted prior to transport to various sites on the island.

Moai at the Rano Raraku quarry, remnants of a collapsed civilization.

Best friends staying together forever. Moai at the Rano Raraku quarry.

Seemingly tattooed or ritualistically scarred moai staring out from the Rano Raraku quarry.

Trail by the moai at Rano Raraku.

A seemingly inquisitive moai tilts his/her head while pondering an observation for centuries.

Horses nibbling away apparently unimpressed by moai archaeological treasures at the Rano Raraku quarry.

Horse following trail through the moai of the Rano Raraku quarry.

Sphinx-like monolithic moai frozen in place at the Rano Raraku quarry.

A reclining moai frozen in place in the Rano Raraku quarry.

An incomplete moai at the Rano Raraku quarry. The indigenous civilization collapsed leaving monuments such as this frozen in place and in time.

Lichen-covered rocks overlooking a small volcanic crater lake and marsh.

Moon over Rapa Nui, the navel of the world. Moai at day's end facing inland, restored by Chilean archaeologist Claudio Cristino in the 1990s. Ahu Tongariki.

Moai facing inland at Ahu Tongariki, restored by Chilean archaeologist Claudio Cristino in the 1990s.

Moai facing inland at Ahu Tongariki, restored by Chilean archaeologist Claudio Cristino in the 1990s. These are the eight left-most moai as seen while looking at their faces.

Moai facing inland at Ahu Tongariki, restored by Chilean archaeologist Claudio Cristino in the 1990s.

Moai facing inland at Ahu Tongariki, restored by Chilean archaeologist Claudio Cristino in the 1990s.

Moai with red topknot hats at Anakena Ahu Na

Moai with red topknot hats at Anakena Ahu Na

Moai with red topknot hats at Anakena Ahu Na

Moai without red topknot hats at Anakena Ahu Na

Moai with red topknot hats at Anakena Ahu Na

Pukao or red topknot hats were made of red volcanic scoria and are of a softer material than the moai.

The red scoria quarry where the pukao or red topknot hats were manufactured.

Ancient stone dwellings on the interior of Easter Island

Indeterminate petroglyph at Rano Kau

Human petroglyphs at Rano Kau

Human petroglyphs at Rano Kau overlooking the spire-like rock inshore of Moto Nui.

Human petroglyphs at Rano Kau overlooking Moto Nui.

Fish petroglyphs at Rano Kau

Bird petroglyphs at Rano Kau.

Moto Nui as seen from the crater rim at Rano Kau.

The crater rim at Rano Kau.

The crater at Rano Kau.

A crater lake and marshland in a volcanic cone.

A shrine draped with bougainvillea, reminiscent of California missions.

Horses taking the right-of-way in Hanga Roa

Horses at the Rano Raraku quarry

Moto Nui seen from the water

Horses in paradise at Anakena Beach

Anakena Beach

Anakena Beach

Pinkish hue to coral sands at Anakena Beach.

The eternal battle of surf and shore. The seemingly soft water will eventually win. View of an impressive Easter Island volcanic headland.

A small hole-in-the wall affords a glimpse of azure surf pounding against against jagged volcanic rocks.

An Easter Island sunset.