This is probably the image that the Spice Islands presented to the first European sailors... Tidore is the southern sister island of Ternate, located west of the large Moluccan island of Halmahera. The beach, towered over by coconut palms, is littered with blackish basalt debris, evidence of the volcanic origin of most of these islands. – 1990

This is probably the view that the Spice Islands offered the first European sailors... - Togolo Beach on the island of Tidore – Moluccas – 1990

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

Walkway to a fishing village on the island of Tidore – Moluccas – 1990

View from Ternate, an island in the North Moluccas, of the 3 km wide, forested, conical stratovolcano Hiri, which rises steeply from the sea (630 m) – Moluccas – 1990

Fishing boat on the southern beach of Tidore, a circular volcanic island in the North Moluccas, historically known as an important spice island. – 1990

On the island of Ternate in the North Moluccas, a fisherman pulls his boat onto Sulamadaha beach. This island is historically known as one of the most important ‘spice islands’ and was once the world's only centre for clove cultivation. – 1990

Here is the fisherman's catch from the previous picture. These are fresh soldierfish (genus Myripristis). They are known for their bright red colour and very large eyes. They are often found in Asian fish markets. – Sulamadaha – Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

This girl sells dried fish at the market in Banda Neira – Maluku – 1990

A boat carrying vegetables and fruit from the large island of Halmahera arrives at the port of Ternate. In the background on the right is the small island of Maitara and on the left is the island of Tidore, dominated by the 1,730-metre-high Keimatubu volcano. - Moluccas – 1990

The canoes are not only used for fishing, but also as a means of transport for firewood. – Banda Islands – Moluccas – 1990

On the Banda Islands, fishermen and their traditional boats are a common sight. While the islands were historically famous as the ‘spice islands’ for nutmeg, fishing is now one of the most important sources of livelihood for the locals, alongside tourism. – Moluccas – 1990

Small sailing boats are still used today in the Malay Archipelago for transport between islands. However, these vessels, which could date back to the days of the spice route, are increasingly being replaced by motor cutters or sailboats with auxiliary engines, which are faster and more reliable, especially on longer journeys. - Moluccas – 1990

Harvesting nutmeg is a multi-stage process that requires patience, as the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) only yields significant crops after around 8 to 10 years. The fruits are ripe when the yellow, peach-like shell bursts open, revealing the red seed coat (mace). Harvesting is possible throughout the year, with the main season often falling during the rainy season. The fruits are either picked from the tree using long bamboo poles (with a small basket attached to the end, called a gaigai) or collected from the ground once they have fallen. – Banda – Moluccas – 1990

The nutmegs are either picked from the tree using long bamboo poles (with a small basket attached to the end, called a gaigai) or collected from the ground once they have fallen. – Banda – Moluccas – 1990

Whole nutmegs for export are usually packed in jute bags (double bags) in units of 25 kg to 50 kg. These provide good ventilation, which reduces the risk of mould. A common export grade is ABCD (mixture of different sizes). When stored correctly in cool, dry containers, the shelf life for export is approximately 18 to 24 months. – Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

Nutmegs are the most important agricultural resource of the Banda Islands, but they are also a significant crop on Ternate, Tidore and other Moluccan islands. After removing the seed coat, the nuts are laid out to dry. When dried, the seed – the nutmeg as it is sold – can be heard rattling in the shell when shaken. The shell is then broken open with a wooden hammer. The nutmeg itself is egg-shaped, two to two and a half centimetres long, grey-brown in colour and can be grated or scraped with a suitable instrument. – 1990

On the Moluccan island of Ternate, women sort peeled nutmegs according to size and quality. These are exported in sacks, as seen in the background. The nutmegs are often rolled in lime or dipped in a lime solution beforehand. This process is intended to protect them from pest infestation. – 1990

On the Moluccan island of Ternate, women sort peeled nutmegs according to size and quality. These are exported in sacks, as seen in the background. The nutmegs are often rolled in lime or dipped in a lime solution beforehand. This process is intended to protect them from pest infestation. – 1990

The small farmers of Ternate bring their harvest of dried and shelled nutmegs to the island's capital of the same name to sell to buyers. The nuts are weighed using simple running scales. The buyer acts as an intermediary between the export companies and the small producers. Unfortunately, the proceeds are not always commensurate with the effort involved. – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate offers fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chilli peppers. – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate offers fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chilli peppers. – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate offers fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chilli peppers. – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate sells fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chillies or ginger. – 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

In the Moluccas, coconuts are traditionally transported using a carrying pole (a yoke, often called a pikulan locally). – Tidore – 1990

Selling coconuts at the market in Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate offers fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chilli peppers. – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Tidore offers fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chilli peppers. – Moluccas – 1990

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

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

This woman at the market in Ternate is selling a special fruit: Malay apples (scientific name: Syzygium malaccense), also known as water apples, rose apples or pomarrosa. They are rich in pectin and vitamins A, B3 and C. They are also low in calories and fat. The fruit grows on trees that can reach heights of up to 15 metres and are particularly common in tropical regions such as South America, Asia and the Caribbean. – Moluccas – 1990

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

Spice shop at the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

Curious children watch from their window – Banda – Moluccas – 1990

Scene at the market in Ambon – Moluccas – 1990

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

In the Moluccas, a carrying pole (a yoke, often called a pikulan locally) is a traditional and widely used method of transporting goods, crops or purchases. – Lontar Island, also known as Banda Besar – 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

Fort Belgica (Indonesian: Benteng Belgica) is a historic 17th-century fort on the island of Banda Neira in the Moluccas, Indonesia. Built in 1611 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the fort was primarily used to protect the monopoly on the valuable nutmeg trade. – 1990

Fort Belgica (Indonesian: Benteng Belgica) is a historic 17th-century fort on the island of Banda Neira in the Moluccas, Indonesia. Built in 1611 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the fort was primarily used to protect the monopoly on the valuable nutmeg trade. – 1990

The island of Ternate is dominated by Gunung Gamalama, or Gamalama Volcano, which rises more than 1,700 metres above sea level. It is considered one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. The lava flow in the foreground is from an eruption in 1936 – Photo from 1990