We finally reach Hokkaido. This island is a sacred place for us. By pure synchronicity, we reach it exactly 7 years later. A perfect cycle. 7 years ago, the baby I was carrying was born from life to death. Our little boy has joined the stars. This land welcomed us, its nature healed us. Although this is an emotional place for us, it is also the site of a powerful spiritual force. We return to the lakes where we camp. We return to the wilderness and wide open spaces. The bears are watching us on the little dirt track that takes us up to a pass. It is just as infested with little biting creatures - mosquitoes, black flies and deer flies - as it is punctuated by bear poo. Despite the rain, we reached the summit and discovered Mount Yotei! This is where Fibie celebrates her sixth birthday in excitement! The passes are endless in the heat! Carried along by the energy of Hokkaido, we climb to its highest peak, Asahidake, a gigantic stratovolcano whose fumaroles emit the smell of sulphur. Then we head back to Lake Kanayama and our friends Toru and Kumiko.

Back on Honshu

Back on Honshu, we are in the bamboo forests again. We follow the coastline that was hit by the gigantic disaster of 2011, the tsunami that engulfed everything. Energy is challenging and typhoons sweep past. The call of the volcanoes takes us to Azuma. From one volcano to the next, we find ourselves at the summit, facing an infinite view of the forest-covered mountains, overlooking the sapphire-blue lake in a heart shape.

Lake Inawachiro is a gentle caress for our tired bodies! Then we continue through the mountains and valleys. We've seen the bright green rice planted, now the rice is golden and it's harvest time. After a last swim in the rivers, we are entering the big cities. We are welcomed to Narita by its sumptuous temples and attend a ceremony. Before plunging into the tumultuous energy of Tokyo, Ben welcomed us into his home with a sake tasting. We then give a talk at the Swiss embassy, as well as at MontBell's head office. As a pure synchronicity, we are here to attend the last sayonara party for Noda San. A great river adventurer, a writer and a friend.