World Harmony Run - 2008

Slovenia

Previously one of Yugoslavia’s six constituent republics, present-day Slovenia became independent in 1991 as Yugoslavia fell apart. It is bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.Four major European geographic regions meet in Slovenia: the Alps, the Dinaric area, the Pannonian plain and the Mediterranean. The country is mountainous, and Slovenes are keen skiers and hikers. The national flag depicts the three-peakedTriglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2 864 metres.

The country was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. The capital, Ljubljana, was founded in Roman times. Its university, with more than 50 000 students, contributes to the city’s busy cultural life. The main industries are car parts, chemicals, electronics, electrical appliances, metal goods, textiles and furniture.Tourist attractions include the famous caves at Postojna with their decor of stalactites and stalagmites. Graffiti in the caves shows that the first tourists came here in 1213.

Slovenian cuisine is strongly influenced by that of its neighbours. From Austria comes Strudel and Wiener schnitzel. Italy has contributed with risotto and ravioli and Hungary with goulash. The potica is a special Slovenian cake.

Among the most famous Slovenes are the physicist Jožef Stefan, the linguist Franc Miklošič and the architect Jože Plečnik.

First WHR of the year. We have a group of European runners joining us. I do not know the rest of the runner, but one of them is from Slovenian.

It was 8:10am when i reached Paris Ris MRT. It was abit early. Saw a few runners along the way, don't know who are them, except for stardust which happen to be on the same train as i am. Waited for a while, meet up with Evangeline, Seviland and Paul.

At the starting point, saw alot of familiar faces. Pleasantly surprise to see Lao Zhu! After the traditional sing songs, we headed off around 9:04am.

First stop is a chinese temple around simei/tampines. We are welcome by a couple of lions(dance). Pretty good "makan" by "normal standard" there. Could love to eat more, unfortunately just started the run, don't have much appetite.

2nd stop was a long run, 1hr+ to a mosque in Eunos. Everyone was tired after the long run. The apple and drink give us some relieved. Have a good time chatting up with Ivy and Chong along the way.

3rd stop was a short distance away at sinkh temple along joo chiat. We are pretty hungry when we reached around 12pm. I share a plate of vegetarian food with Evangline. When you are hungry everything so nice, especially hot food!

I decide to take the bus from there. The pace is pretty slow and i feel i get more tired running. I could have continue if not because i have an event(surf and sweat) later. It is the first time i ever hop on the bus. It is pretty cool as i get an opportunity to catch up with Paul.

Time run very thin and i have to grab Seviland and SV up the bus. We reached Esplanade around 1:25pm. Picked up my buddy and head over to Sentosa.

This is most probably my last WHR. It is pretty sad, given the fact i have done the first WHR a few years back and have not miss a single one since. It is time to move on!

"That is the World Champion Mountain Biker from Slovenia" P
"har?" K
"Twice World Champion"P
"orh" K

"Where are you from?"K
"Solvenia"S
"You are into Mountain Bike"K
"oh!" S (You know me!)
"my friend tell me you are won a few races in Mountain Bike race"K
"I am coach and manager now, no more cyling"S
"Too old for the young boys?"K
"If i train hard, i could still beat them"S
"I have been doing it for many years, dont want to do it anymore"S
"Ok"K