Today was my day off so the plan was to take it easy in the morning and then after lunch head to Orongo: one of the most significant and important sites on the island. The Internet was working this morning so I was able to send a few emails and do some research for my upcoming travels. At 12 Peter and Tiare headed of to the beach with Anabella for a picnic lunch: I was also invited but really wanted to stay in town and visit Orongo. I made some lunch relaxed a bit more and then started walking to Orongo; the walk was long and tiring and when I arrived at the base of the hill I had already spent all my energy. I staggered up the hill and eventually came to the mirador of the crater - what a site it was a ginormous hole on the top of this old volcano with an eary blue swampy lagoon at its base. The wind was incredibly strong and cold here so I snapped a few photos and continued walking around the top edge of the crater to Orongo. Orongo was a ceremonial village used only a few weeks of the year for the bird man competition which involved different tribes competing in a sporting event to claim the first egg of the season. The views were absolutely breathtaking and from the cliffs I could observe the small islands where the seabirds would nest each spring and where the competition would lead the participants. The village has been somewhat reconstructed and in quite good condition considering the extreme weather that belts this area daily. I got a whistle blown at me by one of the park rangers for leaning on a fence - I know hilarious I am guessing they had nothing better to do. After 30 minutes I had seen everything and decided to head back down to the town, I walked on the road and after half an hour was able to hitch a ride to the bottom of the hill. From the base of the hill I hitched another lift to the airport and at this point I realized I would have to walk the remainder of the way: about 45 minutes up a slight hill. Arriving back to Peter and Tiare's was a relief and I was seriously dehydrated and tired and must of say for 2 hours relaxing. Peter and Tiare don't usually eat dinner but tonight Tiare cooked a delicious vegetable and mince lasagne. After sitting around and talking for a while I had to call it a night and go to bed.