Arriving to the beautiful tropical country of the Maldives that consists of almost 1200 islands. Since 1987 when the Peace Run was founded by Sri Chinmoy, the Torch has visited over 160 countries, and Maldives is now one of these countries!
This is the view from our hotel.
It is very peaceful to just sit on the beach.
The green rectangle in the centre of the Maldivian flag symbolises peace and prosperity.
We ran along the beach in Hulhumale...
...before heading off to Male.
We met these tourists from India there.
We stopped for a short visit at the Grand Friday Mosque.
And then headed for our first official meeting in the Maldives.
We were very honoured to be invited to the UN in the Maldives office in Male' where we were warmly welcomed by UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Dr. Arvind Mathur.
Staff from UNDP and UNFPA attended our presentation. Thank you for taking time off your busy schedules.
Peace Run and the United Nations share many dreams, and Peace Run is particularly serving nr. 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals - Peace, justice and strong institutions.
After our presentation everyone got a chance to hold the Peace Torch and thus express their own wishes and hopes for peace in the world.
UN RC a.i. and WHO Representative Dr. Arvind Mathur with UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Adji Vera Romana Hakim. She comes from Indonesia and our Peace Torch, after its visit to the Maldives, will finish its 10 months journey around the whole world in Bali, Indonesia. It will have visited all the countries in the southern hemisphere. The journey began in Bali in February.
We were delighted to receive gifts that will remind us of this visit.
We are very grateful for your wholehearted welcome of our small team. Special thank you to Shaliny who made this meeting happen.
We were told selfies are very popular and a MUST in Maldives...
...and we do love this one!
On our way to the ferry there were many people who wanted to hold our torch.
Then we ran along the long and beautiful beach in Hulhumale, meeting many locals and tourists as well.
This Russian family was very happy to join the Peace Run but also to meet a Peace runner from their country.
This were the beautiful colours of Maldivian sunset. We even managed a short swim in the moonlight.
Thank you, Maldives!
