Moluccas Collection (#3)

Twotone Wrasse (Halichoeres prosopeion) adult, Uhak Reef, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia, October

Longnose Filefish (Oxymonacanthus longirostris) adult, Tanjung Nukae, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia, October

Snowflake Moray (Echidna nebulosa) unusual colour variant, adult, head at entrance to hole, Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia, October

Barred-fin Moray (Gymnothorax zonipectus) adult, close-up of head, with mouth open, Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia, November

Honeycomb Moray (Gymnothorax favagineus) adult, close-up of head, with open mouth, with Threespot Dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) juvenile, Batu Kapal, Bandanaira, Banda Islands, Banda Sea

Threespot Dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) juvenile, resting on sponge, Uhak Reef, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia, October

Clove - Eugenia aromatica: Native to Moluccas or Spice Islands, Indonesia. Dutch controlled trade during 1600s. In 1700s French smuggled out plants and broke monopoly. Hand-coloured engraving 1823

Nutmeg: Myrsitica fragrans, showing fruit containing nut surrounded by ari, the source of mace. Tree native to the Moluccas or Spice Islands, Indonesia. Dutch controlled the trade during 1600s

Fisherman guiding fish basket onto fishing boat, Crucifixion Point, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Fish basket being raised onto fishing boat, Crucifixion Point, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Fisherman removing stone weights from fish basket, Crucifixion Point, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Fisherman with fish basket on fishing boat above and fish shoal below surface of water, Crucifixion Point, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

View of island and coral from above and below surface of water, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Volcanic eruption with ash plume, Mount Komba, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November 2013

Golden Bristle Worm (Chloeia flava) adult, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, October

Volcanic sand and sunbeams underwater, Volcano Drop, Komba Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Basket Star Shrimp (Periclimenes lanipes) adult, resting on basketstar at night, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Batu Coris Wrasse (Coris batuensis) adult, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Twospot Wrasse (Halichoeres biocellatus) adult, swimming, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Ornate Wrasse (Macropharyngodon ornatus) adult, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Solar Fairy-wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis) adult, swimming, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

New Guinea Wrasse (Anampses neoguinaicus) juvenile, swimming, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Halfmoon Triggerfish (Sufflamen chrysopterum) juvenile, swimming, Tanjung Mamau, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Radial Filefish (Acreichthys radiatus) adult, camouflaged in xeniid soft coral, Reta Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Yellowfin Goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis) adults, shoal swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Sixspot Goby (Valenciennea sexguttata) adult, spitting out sand excavated from burrow, Tanjung Gedong, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Striped Goby (Asterropteryx striata) adult, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, October

Gold-speckled Shrimpgoby (Ctenogobiops pomastictus) adult, at burrow entrance in sand, Tanjung Gedong, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Yanos Dwarfgoby (Trimma yanoi) adult, Tanjung Tutunuuake, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Spot-tail Dartfish (Ptereleotris hetroptera) adult pair, swimming together, Tanjung Tutudiruru, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Goram Dragonet (Diplogrammus goramensis) adult, partially buried and camouflaged in sand, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Black-axil Chromis (Chromis atripectoralis) adult, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) adult female, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Randalls Anthias (Pseudanthias randalli) adult, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Black-backed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) adult, swimming, Tanjung Muara, Sermata Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Shortsnout Boxfish (Ostracion rhinorhynchos) adult, swimming, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Two-spot Red Snapper (Lutjanus bohar) adult, swimming, Reong West, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Three-lined Blenny (Ecsenius trilineatus) adult, resting beside sea-squirts, Tanjung Tutunuuake, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Bicolour Fangblenny (Plagiotremus laudandus) adult, sheltering in coral, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Threadfin Anthias (Pseudanthias huchtii) adult female, swimming, Tanjung Muara, Sermata Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Coral reef habitat with fish shoal and hill above surface of water, Crucifixion Point, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Sleepy Sponge Crab (Dromia dormia) adult, with sponge on back for camouflage at night, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Soft coral in sea cave habitat, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Soft Coral (Siphonogorgia godeffroyi) Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Bulb Tentacle Sea Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) colony in habitat, Valley of the Clowns, Pura Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Long-rayed Sand-diver (Trichonotus elegans) adult, swimming, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, October

Indonesia, Ambon Island (Moluccas), Parade ground by Dumont d Urville from Voyage of discovery of Astrolabe, engraving
History of Exploration, 19th century, Indonesia. Ambon Island (Moluccas), parade ground. Engraving taken from the Voyage of discovery of the Astrolabe, by Dumont d Urville (1826-1829)

Fishing in Banda Islands, 17th century C017 / 8055
Fishing in Banda Islands, 17th-century artwork. This scene is from a Dutch voyage to the East Indies (Indonesia). The Banda Islands (part of the Spice Islands or Moluccas)

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The Moluccas, also known as the Spice Islands, have a rich history intertwined with sailing ships and exotic spices. These islands were once the center of the global spice trade, particularly for mace and nutmeg from the Myristica fragrans tree. In this captivating image, we are transported to Ki Dulan, a Mahometan Mosque located in the heart of Moluccas, Indonesia. The mosque stands tall amidst lush greenery and vibrant flowers that surround it. Traveling back in time to 1646, we witness Indonesian locals gathering pepper - another prized spice found abundantly in these islands. Their diligent work reflects their deep connection to their land's bountiful resources. Nature enthusiasts would be thrilled by an endemic Salmon-crested cockatoo perched gracefully on a branch. This magnificent bird is native to Seram Island within the Moluccas archipelago; its striking appearance adds color and life to this tropical paradise. A composite image showcases Wallacea's giant bee alongside a European honey bee. These fascinating creatures highlight both the diversity and interconnectedness of our natural world. Delving into underwater wonders, we encounter a veined octopus nestled between clam shell halves off Ambon Island in Maluku Archipelago. Its intricate camouflage skills leave us mesmerized by nature's ingenuity. The people who call these islands home are diverse too; Bugis Islanders from Makassar coexist harmoniously with other inhabitants (Indonesia). Their cultural exchange enriches this region even further. As we explore further across Asia, our journey takes us through Rhun Island - one of many jewels within Maluku's Spice Islands. Here lies evidence of a wrecked ship that serves as a reminder of past maritime adventures undertaken by brave explorers seeking new horizons. Finally, let us meet two individuals from Cochin China (Vietnam) captured beautifully in 1818.