Homeward bound

A photo essay of the PNG Highlands

Men’s shed ... coffee workers take a break for the camera (above). They are hard-working, often using machinery that looks like it could be from the World War 2 era.

Star gazing … nights in the mountainous regions of PNG are a spectacle (right). With very little light pollution, the Milky Way can be seen clearly and there are countless meteors streaking across the sky.

Market fresh … you can purchase almost anything from Mount Hagen market (left), from a fresh a pineapple (PGK7) to a live chicken (PGK30). All the fruit and vegetables are locally grown.

Bird’s- eye view ... flying over the mountainous terrain (above) of PNG’s Highlands is one of the best ways to take in the natural beauty of the rugged landscape. Small villages are enveloped by the green terrain for miles in all directions.

Clay creations … PNG is home to skilled craftsmen. In Kainantu, about a two-hour flight from Port Moresby, you can find intricately made goods, such as these pottery sets (left).

In the bag ... Arabica coffee beans (above) ready for export from the Highlands.

Hand-reared … one of PNG’s key industries is its coffee. Some of the best and most sought-after Arabica beans come from the Highlands region. The beans are grown, harvested and ground here before export.