We awoke this morning to the sun rising over the mighty Murray River, an inspiring sight for those of us spending our first night of the Run under canvas...

Team A

The girls’ team started the day feeling like fish out of water. Last night we had our first camping experience on the Run, and were required to pitch tents in semi-darkness. Accordingly, we also had our first tent pack-up this morning. What to say? We were twenty minutes late for our first ceremony, a small price to pay for lessons learned. Many thanks to the friendly staff at Long Island Caravan Park!

Excitement was our fuel this morning as we skipped breakfast and plunged into our first day in Adelaide. Nobody regretted the lack of breakfast after our first ceremony. Two teams met in the quaint town of Hahndorf with Januja, Chakori and Chris Reynolds to be witness to the construction of their future enterprise, Rainbow Heart-Sky – a florist, gift shop and display gallery of Sri Chinmoy’s artwork.

But before we feasted our eyes, we were first treated to a sublime feast for the tastebuds at Otto’s Bakery (which is conveniently located a few doors down from Januja’s future store). Our eyes were nearly as big as our stomachs as we watched plate after plate of delicious baked goods being placed on our tables. I’m proud to say each team member rose to the occasion. Amazing 'Bee Stings'. Once filled to capacity, we strolled (rolled) over to the site where Chris’ construction company is building Rainbow Heart-Sky amongst other shops. Although barely yet a shell, the space seemed full to bursting with possibility.

Next on our agenda was a ceremony with Bridgewater Kindergarten. We met the class in a small park outside Stirling Library (these children were on a very special excursion!) and invited them to each hold the torch and make a wish for world harmony, which they did most beautifully. After admiring their various styles of footwear (I liked the Spider-Man sneakers) we intended to take them for a run with the torch around the park. That’s when they surprised us! Each child had constructed a white cut-out dove which had a piece of ribbon attached like a kite.

The effect was incredible when we ran. Children screaming, doves streaming and torch-bearers beaming…it was a very special moment. Later, we went into a meeting room inside the Library where the class showed us a poster they created on harmony.

We of course taught them the World-Harmony-Run song (which was sung with great gusto) and the World Harmony Run motto.

As we understand it, the class might even be constructing their own torches next week. Awesome! Many thanks to Glenda, Stirling Library and guests!

After such a big morning tea, the team had no problem allowing star-runner Nataliya to cover the 5.6 kms to Cleland Wildlife Park, up Mt Lofty. What a great time we had at this park! While South Australia co-ordinator Kylie Williams was off having her photo taken for a newspaper, the rest of the team was being wooed by Smokey, the Park’s oldest koala bear (he’s 15).

As he stubbornly clung to Amanda, his keeper, he happily chewed fresh green leaves from a Eucalyptus branch, and watched us shrewdly from what seemed to be ancient eyes. It was the first time many of team members had seen a koala up close, and it was just one of the many things Business Manager Toby Syme did to make us feel welcome at the park. Toby really inspired us with his own enthusiasm and obvious love of wildlife, and cheerfully expressed how glad he was to be part of the torch’s journey.

He also answered questions (the more koala’s eat, the happier they are); gave us complimentary animal feed (for the animals!); acquainted us with how the park works; and even let us in on a few of the animal’s little quirks.

Cleland Wildlife Park is an open park, meaning guests can wander about and interact with many of the animals in their natural habitat. We saw snakes, wallabies,

big red kangaroos, echidnas, wombats, emus, bilbys, and Tasmanian devils just to name a few. All too soon it was time to go. Again, warmest thanks to Toby and the staff for a wonderful visit!

The icing on the delicious layer-cake that was our first day in Adelaide was the whole team’s visit to Haigh’s Chocolate Factory visitor’s centre. Haigh’s is an Australian-owned chocolate company that makes some of the finest chocolates in the world. We watched one worker spend nearly 20 seconds wrapping just one tiny chocolate. The attention she paid to creasing the sides of the wrapping was extraordinary. Haigh's chocolates are hand-wrapped and hand-dipped. How’s that for good old-fashioned quality? Our tour guide, Beverley, was a real trick.

At the end of our tour she put on a single white glove and we all feared the worst. Then, after assuring us she wasn’t about to impersonate Michael Jackson, she proceeded to hand out free samples of chocolate. I never knew chocolate freckles could taste so sensational. We were about to present Beverley with a certificate of a appreciation and sing the World-Harmony-Run song when Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin appeared from their own tour of the factory!

We were so pleased to meet them, and they were happy to spend a few minutes talking about the Run and holding the torch. Bob even said he would like to join our team!  (In a few years, Bob – we're saving a spot for you!)  Terri spoke so graciously, joking that they were "Eating Chocolate for Harmony" – we're with you on that one, Terri! 

Our whole team then sang the World-Harmony-Run song, and offered the family a Torch-Bearer Award in appreciation and gratitude for the joy and inspiration this special family brings to so many hearts around the world.

We are now happy to report that Terri extended an invitation for the runners to visit their Australia Zoo when we come through the Sunshine Coast in August!

We then thanked Beverley and presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation for Haigh's. Much to own delight, she expressed her own appreciation of our efforts by plying us with more chocolate. Our new Harmony Run motto? – Harmony begins with Chocolate!

Upon completing the official duties of the day and arriving in the city, we enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal at Joy-Discovery Vegetarian Café (13 Bent St).

Zen house Vegetarian Tea Corner provided us with some fine organic tea choices and also presented two runners with a gift to bring them good energy for their journey.

– Julie Anderson (Australia)

Team B...

...had the most running today, through the beautiful Adelaide Hills. We made our way to Hahndorf Primary School.

The students were ready and waiting for us and had already discovered that peace was to be found nowhere else but our own hearts.

The students listened attentively and asked some fantastic questions and learnt that the connection between harmony and running involves us all striving and moving towards the goal of peace.

We really enjoyed the ceremony. The teachers and children together formed a circle outside and offered their heartfelt wishes for peace. Thanks to Kerry Docking for helping, and the teachers and students for having us along.

We ran the windy road down Green Hill Road – sighting several koalas – towards Adelaide, before meeting up with the other boys' team at AAMI stadium

where Port Power players Toby Thurston and Domenic Cassisi held the torch in a show of support for World Harmony.

After trouncing my own team – Fremantle – last week, we can all wish you Good Luck for this week's game against the Blues!

The rest of our day then involved eating. We sampled the delights of South Australia's, if not Australia’s, finest chocolate at Haigh’s chocolate factory

and then we went back to South Australia’s, if not Australia’s, best vegetarian restaurant Joy-Discovery who fed us a delicious meal and made us feel entirely at home here in Adelaide. Thanks!

before finally arriving at our accommodation and our gracious hosts Virinder and Jessie Singh at Adelaide Granada Motor Inn.

– Grahak Cunningham (Australia)

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Team Members:
Tristan Boyle (Australia), Prabhakar Street (Canada), Grahak Cunningham (Australia), Prachar Stegemann (Australia), Edi Serban (Romania ), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Marichi Clarke (Australia), Misha Kulagin (Russia), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Colm Magee (Ireland), Julie Anderson (Australia), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Feiderike Makowka (Switzerland), Angela Muhs (Germany), Kylie Williams (Australia), Elke Lindner (Germany)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!

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