Sunrise ... what wonders, what mysteries, what joys shall this day bring?
Yet another rainbow portends another auspicious day ...
The black swan is the emblem of the State of Western Australia, come to welcome us to this vast, beautiful and bountiful State, the largest in Australia ...
Today our Peace Run river flowed through three streams – so we could visit two fun runs and run into Perth from Fremantle simultaneously ...
Masters Athletics W.A. stage numerous quality fun-runs in addition to their popular track and field meets throughout the year. This morning we were invited to bring the Peace Torch along and participate in their "Run Around Herdsman Lake", with options of 5 km, 7.5 km and 15 km ...
Some of the curious spectators along the way ...
It is a beautiful course, good for fast times ...
Brian Smith, who is traveling north to Broome on a holiday, was hoping to meet and see the runners on the road, so he got an early chance to hold the Peace Torch ...
... from South Africa, Rod Hamilton, the Race Director and friend of Grahak holds the torch ...
Vic Waters (in blue), editor of the WAMA Newsletter, who ran a story promoting the Peace Run, with two other runners.
It was a really enjoyable run and a wonderful start to our day ...
After the fun run we had some time on our hands, so our local hosts took us to Kings Park for a look around ...
This park commands the best view over the City of Perth ...
Somewhere down there, our girls team are participating in another fun run ...
We were invited to be a part of the West Australian Marathon Club's Lake Monger 3 km and 10 km fun run. Before the start, we get together with some of our new team members, including Emily who has just flown in from Christchurch, New Zealand, and Helena from Czech Republic, who ran with our team from Canberra to Adelaide and has since also been staying in Christchurch ...
... here before the race, our Western Australian coordindator, Anubha Baird, introduced the Peace Run. When the 450 runners heard we had run over the Nullarbor there was spontaneous applause ...
... something I don't think any of us were expecting, but as they were all runners, it felt they really had oneness with what we are doing. And even though we do take one day at a time, when you look back over the last six weeks and put them all together it truly is a mammoth yet joyful undertaking ...
It was great to be able to run as a group and with so many other runners ...
... many a person wanted to hold the torch and run with us ...
... we meet Bob who is 81 years old and still running strong ...
... as the faster runners passed us they all cheered and congratulated us for what we are doing ...
... as we drew closer to the finish line we meet up with Ashley, who kindly took the torch and ran us over the line.
After the run, many were happy to share the spirit of the Peace Run ...
While two of our teams were participating in the fun runs, the rest of the boys team were covering a portion of our route around Australia ...
We chose a very scenic route on bike paths along the south side of the Swan River, a distance of 25 kilometres. We had along with us two young, up and coming runners, Sam who lives as a neighbour to some of the team members in Perth, and his friend Ben who is in fact already quite accomplished, being a National gold medallist this year in his age group for 1500 metres ...
They both took off at a brisk pace from Kings Square in Fremantle, and ran the first 11 km of the route. Various runners from the Peace Run team joined them along the way ...
After a few kilometres we came across a group of people admiring the skill and agility of a dolphin herding fish at the water's edge ...
... this was a special treat for our two Mongolian runners, coming from a land locked country.
We also met other runners out for their morning jog, who took the torch and ran with us for a short way ...
... one couple had seen the Peace Run the previous week while passing through Esperance ...
Sam's mother, Trish, came to collect the boys just in time – we could take it a little easier now!
We paused a while watching the Jet Skiers do their stuff, and then ran on the final 1.5 kilometres, the walking path becoming busier and opening up into a panoramic view of the Perth City skyline just across the river.
Our destination was the ‘Scented Garden’ in Sir James Mitchell Park, on the banks of the Swan River ...
Within this park lies an interactive sculpture of Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy, entitled ‘World-Peace-Dreamer’. This statue – by British scuptor Kaivalya Torpy – was inaugurated in March 2011 and is placed as a reminder for passers by to reflect a moment on peace, inner and outer ...
All our teams had now converged in the one place for the first time today – appropriately with Sri Chinmoy, the inspiration behind our endeavour ...
The feeling of peace here is so tangible, time seems to stand still and the earth holds its breath, as you take a few moments in quiet contemplation ...
There is only so much quiet contemplation one can absorb though, so after lunch we launched into some fun and games ...
Don't worry, dear Mongolian readers, we didn't really let Sarankhuu drive off in the Peace Run van (at least not without his seat belt on!) ...
Sukhajata Cranfield, our NSW coordinator, has rejoined our team, and will run with us now as far as Townsville ...
... while Kaspars Zakis jetted in last night from Latvia ...
... rumours are swirling that Bayarkhuu – who was due to fly home to Mongolia tomorrow – might be persuaded to stay with us for a while longer ...
... while Antara-Prabhat is among those returning home. The health food store where he works in New York City can only survive without him for so long!
One of our national coordinators, Stacey Marsh, will be taking her phones to Canberra for a well-earned break from life on the road, and is set to rejoin our team next month ...
Before departing from the park, we met with a Persian brother and sister ...
... brother Rez lives in Perth and was showing his sister Roya the ‘sites’ – Roya was on holiday from Iran and is a keen runner herself.
It was time now to drive to Caversham Wildlife Park, north of Perth, which is situated in a large recreation area called Whiteman Park. We were met at the entrance by Park manager Debbie and her father Dave ...
A family affair for over 25 years - run by a Western Australia family, mother and father Pat and Dave, and two children Debbie and David. They purchased it in 1987 (the same year the Peace Run started) and it has grown and grown over the years ...
... the Park is dedicated to the fauna and flora of Australia, with a large range of interesting and interactive displays and performances which truly give the visitor a fun and informative time ...
... we arrived at 2 pm and in the two and half hours we were there, we still only sampled a small part of the wonderful park ...
You are able to walk around all of the birds, reptiles and animals ...
Some of the animals you are able to touch ...
... including the snake! (Others you can only get close to, like the birds of prey: the handlers for some unknown reason wanted to have all the patrons leave with all their fingers) ...
Our whole team rolled up to 'Meet the Wombat and Friends' ...
... this like most of the other shows is very much hands on! – we meet "Big Bubs" ...
... and yes this is the same wombat Prabuddha Nicol – (leader of the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Perth and stalwart member of all our Peace Run teams in Australia since 1987) – met in 2008! So of course he was very excited about having Big Bubs on his lap once more ...
...the koalas were all very active today eating the eucalyptus leaves ...
... and even though we could not hold them, we could give them a little pat and get in close for a photo ...
... then it was time for us all to gather for our official meeting with the park managers ...
Caversham Wildlife Park was dedicated as a Sri Chinmoy Peace Park in March of this year, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Park. The Park thus joins hundreds of other significant sites internationally as part of the ‘Peace-Blossoms’ program ...
We sang the Peace Run song and offered a brief presentation about the Run and its purpose ...
Salil Wilson, Executive Director of the Peace Run worldwide, in his final engagement with the Peace Run here in Australia before flying back to New York tomorrow, presided over the proceedings. As we stood at the plaque with Debbie and Dave we were able to speak with them about the Peace Run and introduce our Torch-Bearer Award Program ...
We were sincerely delighted to present Debbie and Dave with the Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award for their offering of such a kind and dedicated service to the local public and international guests ...
... and for their untiring selfless commitment to loving and nurturing "our little brothers and sisters" – the Australian wildlife – bringing joy in the hearts of every person who walks through their front gate ...
"Hear Hear!"
"Aye Aye"
