Rano Kau is an extinct volcano at the extreme southwestern tip of Easter Island This is one of only three locations of fresh water on the island The Cult of the Birdman site (Orongo) is nearby
Sebastian pointed out a trail down to the interior lagoon of the crater. It is very windy up here
These are floating islands of totora reeds used even today to make native canoes	Petroglyh of Tangata Manu (Birdman) More about this below
View of Hanga Roa the only town on Easter Island
	Orongo has some 50 elliptical stone houses with a perfect view of the three islets or motus that are in front of the Rano Kau. This village was inhabited only in the days before the Bird Man ceremony (Tangata Manu) during the month of September, when spring came the different island clans competed to obtain the first egg of the manutara bird and thus get the government of the island. This continued until the end of the 19th century
	Motu Nui (large island in Rapa Nui language) the destination of the Birdman competitors
This Moai found on Matu Nui once marked the division of the 2 major tribes on the island It was taken to the British Museum in 1915 thus "losing its special historical & cultural value"
Sebastian explained how competitors were selected and trained by their tribe from childhood They were required to swim the 1 mile distance to the island and return with the egg the same way
The village of the Birdman is threatened by erosion
Visitors are required to observe strict rules to minimize damage to the site
Earlier we were standing at the opposite side of the volcano
Sebastian pointed out a Birdman petroglyph that we could have easily missed if exploring on our own