Somewhere on Earth

Iceland, on the confines of the Arctic Circle, is a fascinating island where an original, hardy breed of men and women live out their purest aspirations. A touching authenticity beats in the hearts of its inhabitants. They know that Nature here is uncompromising, so they have no other choice but to remain humble and to live thanks to what it can offer. Like this island, where the forces of the Earth are visible everywhere, the Icelanders feel free and independent.

Somewhere on Earth is taking you to Central Asia; to Kyrgyzstan, where the population lives in harmony with Nature. The Kyrgyz, a semi-nomadic people of horsemen, carry their cultural heritage with pride. Kyrgyzstan, this small land-locked country, is made up of high plateaus, surrounded by impassable mountains, an enclave of harsh serenity. The Tian Shan, literally “The Celestial Mountains”, rise to an altitude of 7400 meters. Welcome to the realm of boundless peaks. These mountains form a jewel box containing inestimable treasures.

It’s one of the greenest countries on earth, an Eldorado of river and forest where the possibilities seem endless. Suriname, in the Amazon, is one of the Last Frontiers, and a land of illegal gold panners. For Nature lovers, this little country is a gold mine of bio-diversity in the image of its extremely mixed population. In the heart of the Amazon, pirogue or airplane are the only ways to plunge deep into this endless forest tinged with adventure.

New Caledonia is an extraordinary strip of land surrounded by long barrier reefs and the unfathomable Pacific Ocean. Its vast lagoon holds a wealth of secrets waiting to be discovered. Scientists in Noumea are studying the behavior of sharks; these kings of the oceans are indispensable to the equilibrium of the underwater world. Soaring over one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons and discovering the wide open spaces of this land. On the main island of Grande Terre, adventure is waiting for those who dare to live out their dreams. Lifou, in the Loyalty Islands, promises a voyage back in time to a world steeped in Kanak legends and deeply-rooted traditions.

Straddling the Equator, the islands of Sao Tome and Principe form a volcanic archipelago known as “The Islands in the Middle of the World.” Situated off the coast of Gabon and isolated from the rest of the world, this is one of Africa’s smallest countries. The population is a mix of the descendents of slaves and the original Portuguese colonists. In these unspoiled islands, where Nature is so generous, the inhabitants of Sao Tome and Principe enjoy a paradise of jungle, mountain and ocean.

Peru. Its tale has been told and retold by scores of explorers and adventurers. Yet the country remains shrouded in mystery. For mere words cannot capture all the magic working here. First, we rediscover the Andes with Jaime Araoz Chacon. His job is to support and accompany the indigenous communities. He acts as a spokesman to give a voice to these communities. Jaime is also a politically committed artist. He paints to share his knowledge, a true craftsman of the collective memory.