Around 1 hour after arriving at Chichijima, having taken lunch in the shade of palm trees on "Mount Ogami", the next part of the itinerary was another ferry bound for "Hahajima". I think the boat was far smaller than the Ogasawara Maru?

While Chichijima is home to 2118 people, the population of Hahajima is just 464. My accommodation was known as "Le Ciel" on the main street of the island and was one of just 4-5 structures there. I didn't even have time to drop off my luggage in the room when my friend Miyazawa took me along to a lecture, to which many island children had also been invited. Their facial expressions and the dazzling gleam in their eyes left an indelible impression.

Last night, the Hahajima sky was indescribably beautiful.

Fresh crimson cherry tomatoes, morning-picked from the field, to stave off hunger a while – and it's off we go!

Those joining me for my first outrigger experience and representing the "Kano Club", striving to restore the 150-year old outrigger culture in maritime transport to its former glory, included Mr. Mukai (right), Mr. Miyazawa (central) and Mr. Murata, the cameraman, on the left. It was just 17℃, but I was sweating buckets.

Although the original plan had been to enjoy a spot of fishing while whale watching, since rough seas forced a change, I decided to enjoy nature while crossing the island. Through a forest with abundant tropical systems and rich in vegetation, I drank in all the sublime scenery.

The northern part of the island was formerly home to a village, which left me wondering whether an elementary school was there too? Then I stood on the site, which has now become jungle.

Evening has arrived on Chichijima. The dusk draws in. The street lights are already on; lighting up the main thoroughfare and traffic lights on the road can be seen.

Strolling down the streets with nothing else to do. A world away from Hahajima, with many pubs and restaurants mushrooming and many people coming out.

While walking through the port, lit up by infra-red lamps, I bumped into an old man fishing. About to stow away a large barracuda and a mackerel, he opened up the cooler box again specially for me with the words "Not seen ones as big as this before, eh?!". Gazing upwards, the sky was filled with stars. Tomorrow is bound to be sunny.

Chichijima also boasted wonderful world-class nature. Beautiful cobalt blue.

Heart Rock, 250m high.

A consummate performer.

The leaving ceremony for the Maru Shukko bidding Chichijima in the Ogasawara archipelago farewell was a flashy affair. The Ogasawara Maru was due to go into dock from that point up to 3 February, which meant a bumper load of passengers on the day. So twice as many people came to the send-off and made it quite a jazzy occasion. The stay on Chichijima had been short, but we left the island cloaked in unforgettable memories.