Somewhere on Earth

Somewhere on Earth is heading for the north of Europe. Off the craggy coastline of Scotland lies Shetland, a group of wild islands, swept by the winds and storms of the Atlantic. Twenty two thousand people live on this Scottish territory. Every winter, they have to deal with Nature at its wildest. Jonathan Wills, who is going to introduce us to the Shetland Islands, lives in the heart of this archipelago and he is committed to preserving these islands. Oscar Charlie is the coast guard helicopter, and all the islanders are familiar with it. Oscar Charlie takes to the skies in all weather, ready to come to the rescue on the sea and in the islands’ remotest spots. Kieran Murray and his son are members of the rescue team. Niel Thomson lives on one of the most isolated of the Shetland Islands. Fair Isle is a tightly-knit community of men and women. Their land is a protected environment. In this remote corner of the world, Niel contemplates his tiny kingdom.

Somewhere on Earth is off to discover Cape Verde: an archipelago of ten or so islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 600 km off the coast of Senegal. Ten little worlds, whose sole natural riches are their mountains and their deserts… lands of sand and stone… tormented by the winds and currents. George lives on Sao Vicente, just across the water from a couple of uninhabited islands. They are a sanctuary, a last refuge for rare and endangered bird species. George and his brother are committed heart and soul to protecting these secret gardens. Santa Antao is the “island mountain.” Theo knows the island’s every path and trail because he’s hiked them all. From the harsh mineral desert to the lush tropical vegetation, this island is a land of contrast. Child of the wind and waves, Mitu is a kiteboarding Champion. The ocean is where he lives and plays. He grew up in Sal and his island has now become one of the world’s favorite spots for surfing sports.

Today Somewhere on Earth is going to drop anchor in Jamaica. The third largest island of the Antilles, is a land of majestic, tormented landscapes. In the north, there’s more than 200 km of coast open to the Caribbean rollers and the trade winds. The Jamaican mountains harbor an unspoiled world steeped in the strains of reggae music. Adam is a real powerhouse. He draws his energy from the most remote corners of the island. A veteran caver and tireless hiker, Adam’s likes nothing more than exploring the surprising treasures of his island. Howard, the River Rasta, lives in the Blue Mountains. Fisherman, farmer and singer, he invites us into his world, a realm of dusky forests and bright mornings. Nakhlé came to Jamaica about 10 years ago. Born in Lebanon in the Middle East, he couldn’t imagine his life without the sea nearby. From his war-torn homeland he brought to Jamaica his passion for free diving.

Today, Somewhere on Earth is off to discover the Sultanate of Oman in the south of the Arabian Peninsula. This is the Orient of The Thousand and One Nights, which the Romans called Arabia Felix, Blessed Arabia. It’s also the land of the once nomadic Bedouins. Dhofar, in the far south of the country harbors a precious treasure: frankincense. Mossin devotes most of his time to the protection of the frankincense tree. 2000 years ago the inhabitants here made fortunes and their influence spread throughout the world thanks to the frankincense trade. Saïd lives in the Hajar, a mountain range in the north along the Gulf of Oman. He lives his life according to the seasons of his date palms. He takes care of them for they are all he has and he lives right in the midst of his trees. Ahmed and his son live in Balat Sayt in the Djebel Al Akhdar, literally the Green Mountain. Ahmed is an arif, a water master, a guardian of knowledge and a living memory.

Somewhere on Earth sets out to discover Western Canada. Marcelle loves the cold and wide-open spaces. She lives in Yukon, the legendary land of trappers and gold diggers. On these vast, frozen and uninhabited stretches, Marcelle lives out her passion – sled dog racing. In western British Columbia, land meets water in the Broughton Archipelago. This is where Nikki - who one fine day decided to live in total harmony with nature - has settled. The incredible character-forging exercise in survival, quite simply changed her life. Amidst these mountains, Michael has found the vast stretches he was seeking to express his way of life. For him, cross-country skiing is the ultimate expression on his journey of self-discovery. He travels all alone in this wild climate, climbing mountains.

Somewhere on Earth is heading to Asia, to discover Laos. Leua, an itinerant vendor, spends part of each year traveling with his family on the Upper Mekong near the borders of China, Burma and Thailand. He knows this mythic river inside and out. Pheng is also an inveterate traveler but he sets out for the most remote corners of the country at the wheel of his old army truck. Pheng, who practices meditation, is progressing on the path of wisdom that all Buddhists dream of traveling. A thousand km to the south, near the Cambodian border, are the Khone Phapheng Falls, the largest in Southeast Asia. Sohane is a fisherman, a very dangerous profession. Working above these turbulent waters, he places his life in the hands of the spirits of the Mekong.