The Peace Run team barely fit into the 7-seater plane for the flight from Samoa to Tonga.
The Kingdom of Tonga is scattered over about 700,000 square kilometres in the South Pacific Ocean about two thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand and is made up of 169 islands. The Peace Run will be on the main island of Tongatapu where about 70% of their over 100,000 citizens live.
This is the first time the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run has been welcomed to Tonga.
We were greeted at the airport and taken to our accommodation to settle in before going to our welcome dinner with the Minister of Internal Affairs.
The Peace Run in Tonga has been completely enabled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs led by Onetoto Anisi, Deputy CEO and Head of Sport.
The Peace Torch was officially welcomed and lit for the first time in Tonga as the sun was setting on its arrival day ...
... with Dr Fisi'iahi taking the first few steps in the Kingdom of Tonga before the large Peace Run program tomorrow.
At a welcome dinner hosted by Dr Foto Kuohiko Valeli Fisi'iahi , Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, his Deputy CEO Onetoto, and attended by Ministry of Education and Training DCEO Panepata Taunisila, Vaita, and Feleti, the Peace Run was enthusiastically discussed, the 8 schools were confirmed for the Peace Run to visit tomorrow as well as the Tongans who will be joining the Peace Run team on what looks to be a full and fulfilling Peace Run in Tonga.
