Coral Sea Expedition
This is what a healthy coral reef looks like. Locals near Tufi in the Central Province guide their outrigger canoes through "rias" or fjord-like waterways in this pristine environment.
Ancient traditions of skull worship are preserved in remote areas of the Coral Sea, like this reliquary on Skull Island in the Solomon Islands.
Interior of skull reliquary. These ancient heads were taken in neighboring raids decades ago in the belief that their power would transfer to the headhunter.
Still active Tavurvur volcano in New Britain. Tavurvur erupted with a vengeance in 1994, wiping out the nearby town of Rabaul.
A local man reprises traditional costume, with sacred Tavurvur volcano in the background.
Traditional carving of canoe prows is still valued. In this village in the Louisiade Archipelago, men gathered in community to build and craft this vessel.
Water must be gathered from afar. These women near Tufi walk for miles to get it.
A young boy carries a Triton shell during a festival in Tawali. Tritons are often utilized as horns.
Tufi villagers work for days to create traditional costumes for special festivals. The hand-held drums incorporate lizard skin, and use beads of honey to calibrate the timbre.
Navigation was challenging at the far reaches of the Louisiade archipelago near Rossel Island.
All hands on deck during the launch of a traditional war canoe, these days used for Christian religious celebrations. Munda, New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands.
Transiting through New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands.
Early morning along the rainy southeast coast of Papua New Guinea.
Navigating over coral reefs near Tufi, Papua New Guinea.
One of the last surviving women with full body tattooing. Along the southeast coast, Papua New Guinea.
Another fully tattooed elder woman with her handiwork.
Peeling yams the old school way. Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.
Market scene, Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Some of the impressive "rias," or fjord-like waterways near Tufi in northeastern Papua New Guinea.
