Tiny airlines like Air Nauru and Palau Micronesia Air leapfrog the island stepping stones of Micronesia, a vast expanse of blue water north of New Guinea. Stop over to explore a lost city, meet a school of manta rays or just transit an international terminal where even the officials go barefoot.

The Micronesian people blend Polynesian and Philippine strains and their lush tropical islands are gathered loosely into the Mariana, Caroline, Gilbert and Marshall archipelagos. Here are some of the world’s smallest and newest nations - their gross national products are minimal but their ‘gross national happiness’ puts ours to shame.

This gallery is for images from journeys around 1998-2000 to Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia), Kiribati and Nauru.

Original images were 35mm Fujichrome or Ektachrome transparencies. Hi-res. scans are available for licensing.