Indonesia - After a swim in the Amboine Bay on the peninsula Ambon

This is probably the view that the Spice Islands offered the first European sailors... – Latuhalat Beach – Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

This is probably the view that the Spice Islands offered the first European sailors... – Waitomu – Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

A fisherman returns from fishing in Ambon Bay. In the background, the fishing village on stilts. – Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Fishing village in Ambon Bay. The houses stand on stilts in the water. – Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Traditionally, whole nutmegs are often treated with lime (lime milk/calcium oxide) after harvesting to protect them from insect infestation, mould and fungi during the long drying process. This lime coating is whitish, non-toxic and is usually washed off before use or resale. – Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

This girl in the market in Ambon is selling a packaged speciality – Moluccas – 1990

In the Moluccas, carrying baskets on the head is a traditional and widespread method of transporting goods, crops or shopping. – Ambon – 1990

Pepper pods on sale at the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Fresh chilli peppers at the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

The picture shows an elderly man on the island of Ambon wearing a traditional headdress known as a peci, songkok or kopiah. This type of cylindrical cap is commonly worn in Muslim cultures and is often elaborately embroidered. – Moluccas – 1990

Chilli peppers, onions, ginger, turmeric, lemon verbena – Ambon market – Moluccas – 1990

At the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), also known as yellow root, is a spice originating from South Asia that is valued for its intense yellow colour and the active ingredient curcumin. In modern nutrition and naturopathy, it is considered a ‘superfood’ due to its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. – At the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices in the world and is obtained from the dried bark of cinnamon trees (genus Cinnamomum). It is particularly valued in cooking and natural medicine for its warm, sweet, woody aroma and its health-promoting properties. – Market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Spice shop at the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Boys in the village of Eri on the Moluccan island of Ambon, Indonesia. The village lies opposite Ambon Bay on the Timor Peninsula. They have rushed over from swimming to watch the photographer at work. Indonesians like to have their photographs taken, which is not the case with all peoples of the Far East. – 1990

Scene at the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Passing the time with a game of draughts at the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Young woman with firewood - Ambon - Moluccas - 1990

Numerous fortifications built by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch can be found in the Moluccas archipelago, especially on the islands of Ternate and Banda (for example, the Belgica and Nassau forts). They bear witness to the bitter battles fought between the representatives of the two trading nations and soon also against the English. On the portal of Fort Nieuw Victoria, on the Timor peninsula in Ambon, the coat of arms of Amsterdam can be seen on the left. Under the gable crowned by a sailor is the name of the portal and below it the date of construction, 1775. At the bottom right is a depiction of three fish, above which is a coat of arms with four lions. – Ambon – 1990

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