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4 Episodes 2015 - 2015
Episode 1
46 mins
Kevin McCloud travels to a paradise desert island on the other side of the world to meet a British family who've quit the city rat race to live a simpler life in the South Pacific. Karyn, Boris and their three children appear to be living everyone's fantasy life - but Kevin wants to uncover the reality behind the dream. Could a simpler life really make you happier? To get to the island (nestled in archipelago of Tonga) Kevin undertakes an epic 5 day journey, travelling as far from the UK as it's possible to go and running the gauntlet of an ash spewing volcano en route. When Kevin finally arrives at the breath taking island he is awe struck by its incredible beauty; azure waters lapping white sandy beaches. It's the stuff of fantasy, but Kevin wants to know how on earth anyone can live so far from civilization and how it's possible to raise children in such isolation. Kevin discovers the family have built an extraordinary off-grid home using natural materials from the island. The island has no fresh water, no electricity, debilitating tropical heat, and is under real threat of tsunamis. Combined with these physical threats are the psychological trials of living in such isolation. Kevin is amazed at what the family have endured and achieved; not only have they survived, they're thriving on their beautiful wild island - and what's even more remarkable... they've done it in style.
Episode 2
46 mins
Kevin travels to Chile with the Pickering family from the south of England. Where do they want build their dream house? - Villarrica is one of Chile's most active volcanoes, rising above the lake and town of the same name, 750 km south of Santiago. It is also known as Rucapillán, a Mapuche word meaning "Pillan's house". Wikipedia Elevation: 2,847 m Last eruption: March 3, 2015
Episode 3
47 mins
Kevin McCloud travels to the beguiling beautiful jungle of Central America, to meet a remarkable British family who've left their jobs to live a simple life in the rainforests of Belize. The Atkinsons are a family of 5 from London who've created a new life in one of the world's wildest places. Initially Kevin can't fathom why anyone would want to live in such a place. One personal reason being that Belize has more species of snake than any other country on Earth, shocking news for the usually urbane McCloud who clearly has a snake derived jungle phobia. However Kevin is determined to understand the family's motivation for choosing to build a home in this dangerous but beautiful place. In his attempt, he becomes far more than an observer and he's made to sweat assisting the family in building their home and keeping the jungle at bay. In the process, he suffers in the heat, is attacked by swarms of biting insects and shares his mud hut for the duration of his stay with a large scorpion. Despite his obvious early discomfort, Kevin does start to appreciate the beauty of the family's simple jungle life, one without mains water and electricity. He understands that leaving the rat race is brave and surprisingly hard work. It's a tough but richly rewarding life - and one which has bought this remarkable family together.
Episode 4
47 mins
Kevin heads for the Arctic Circle to meet Richard and Claire, who live in a cabin in the snow-covered forests of north Sweden, where sometimes simply surviving is a challenge Scenes of animal butchery