Dr. Bayer strikes again. The answer to contest #9 is the Ranu Raraku crater on Easter Island. The stone in this cinder cone is softer than what is found on the rest of the island and it was this stone which made most of the maoi on Easter Island.
Personally, I think he is exaggerating when he said “Oh, but that makes it a giveaway.”
No, it really did make it easier. Because I remember that you had been there, and I may have visited with Google Earth when you described your trip. Also, it’s easy to find places of interest at tourist spots like this when you’ve got Panoramio turned on.
Ah ha! You had the inside lane on that one! 🙂