We began our 10 km run around beautiful Dili at the National Parliament.
Many of the young people of Dili were eager to run with us.
Some entire schools turned out to participate like Portuguese school Ruy Cinatti.
H.E. Dr.Vicente Guterres, President of the Parliament, H.E. Maria Goretti Guterres Marques and H.E. Fernando La Sama de Araújo, Vice Prime Minister were there to greet us and be the first to hold the torch.
Carol Carvalho once again served as Master of Ceremonies of the event.
The staff of Hotel Timor were on hand to join with us and many of them ran the entire distance.
H.E. Dr. Vicente Guterres, President of the Parliament, presented the torch to the first runner.
And then we were off at 8.00 am on a beautiful morning.
Our route took us throughout Dili past an enormous billboard announcing the Peace Run.
The billboard is visible from quite distance.
At each kilometer we met with a new organization to carry the torch - this was always accompanied by lots of cheering and shouting of greetings.
Everyone was encouraged to hold the torch and run a few steps.
Our numbers swelled as we continued with perhaps over 1000 running with us throughout the morning.
Even the police made sure they captured some images.
The police made sure the road was clear and safe for all the participants.
The Timorese smile is really something to behold.
One of the change over points where we passed the torch.
One the way back we were running by the Timor Sea - which looked very inviting.
One of the happy Peace Runners.
We ran past the Government Offices.
The last of the groups to join with us was the local cycling club.
Over the last kilometer we were joined by H.E. Dr. Vicente Guterres, President of the Parliament (left), H.E. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Minister of Tourism (Orange shirt centre) and H.E. Fernando La Sama de Araújo, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinator of Social Affairs.
H.E. Mr. Miguel Manetelu, Secretary of State for Youth and Sport holds the torch.
We were joined by an excellent marching band and acrobatic troupe.
Thank you for running with us.
Many people lined the streets as we arrived at our final destination which was the Governor's Palace.
H.E. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Minister of Tourism (left) H.E. Dr. Vicente Guterres, President of the Parliament (centre), and H.E. Fernando La Sama de Araújo, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinator of Social Affairs took the last steps into the grounds of the Governors Palace.
We were received by Lia Nain with a traditional Timorese welcome.
H.E. Dr. Vicente Guterres, President of the Parliament, lit the cauldron.
Next we were entertained by the very talented youth of Timor-Leste. This acrobatic troupe did some gravity defying poses.
Everyone headed for the shade - as it was getting fairly hot.
Members of the marching band enjoying a break.
Next we were treated to a traditional dance by our now good friends.
Beautiful smiles.
Mara, who has been so helpful, shares a moment with her daughter Noa (centre) and friend Mirssia (right).
We wholeheartedly took the opportunity to offer our gratitude for the rich experience we had today.
H.E. Dr. Vicente Guterres, President of the Parliament, addressed the audience.
We then presented the glass engravings of Sri Chinmoy's picture entitled "Unity" to H.E. Dr. Vicente Guterres, President of the Parliament (pictured) as well as to H.E. Fernando La Sama de Araújo, Vice Prime Minister, H.E. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Minister of Tourism and H.E. Mr. Miguel Manetelu, Secretary of State for Youth and Sport.
After the event we spent time getting lots of photographs.
Suhashini from Bali with Jose Luis Padua de Oliveira, Director-General of the Secretariat of Youth and Sport.
Our dear friends from the Miss Earch paegent.
At the end of the evening we had a welcome cocktail with many of the people who had attended the day's events.
H.E. Mr. Miguel Manetelu, Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, closed the evening graciously thanking us and talking about the importance of peace. He also encouraged us to share the peace loving spirit of the people of Timor-Leste as we continue our run around the world.
