Day53 Dunedin 3

Given a chance to have presentation to the students of University of Otago this morning.

About 50 people including some staff of the university were there.

Most of them are from Asia(a few from Japan too). They listened carefully to my talk.

The class started at 11am but there seemed to be something wrong with the projector. I had no choice but keep talking.

I was happy I had been a teacher. I kept talking for 30 minutes.

One of the staff members kept making an effort to revive the projector and all of sudden he made it!!

The latter half I was in my element with this digital tool.


The students sometimes laughed out loud, sometimes nodded and became serious.

I mainly talked about my experience through my travel, adventure, dreams and challenge.

They were so glad and excited as soon as I finished the presentation.


Some of them came up to me to hold out their hands.

Others came up to talk to me or to thank me for the presentation.

Their reaction was far more than I had expected.

The next class was just about to start but still some students were asking me to take photos together.

I did realize it is my mission to sow the seeds of PEACE in that way.

I couldn’t help being deeply moved by myself while I was talking to the students from all over the world.

That’s when I thought about the fact that we are the citizens of the world.

Yes! It was an exciting moment and the most wonderful experience here in New Zealand.

Thanks Dunedin and New Zealand!!

Cheers to WORLD PEACE and all the citizens of the world!!



After that, Pita gave me a ride back to KIWIS NEST where I was staying.

Then we drove to Baldwin Street which is designated as “The world steepest street.”

Yes, standing at the top of the street, it looks like a jump stand for skiing.

I saw 2 brave cyclists trying to go up to the top, both of whom seemed to give up.


Then next to St. Clair Beach. We went to have ourselves a drink or two at a bar. He got me a pint of Peroni, Italian beer.

Soon after I came back, Mac came and visit me.

As it was the last night I spend in Dunedin, he invited me to a dinner again.

There came 5 students of the University of Otago.

Two from Saudi Arabia, the others from Korea, Chile and Japan.

They are cheerful and positive. They seems to have a great time at university every day.

We laughed a lot, ate a lot. And I noticed it was the last night in Dunedin.

Funny how time flies…I spent 4 happy days here in Dunedin.

Tomorrow I’ll be back on the road again.

Two legs of my own and only one road keep me running.



*Distance Today: 0km

*Total Distance from Auckland: 1661.33km

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Day52 Dunedin 2

Dunedin's ‘Otago Daily Times(ODT)” introduces my PEACE RUN on today’s issue.

This is the 2nd time I got interviewed but for the first time I saw on paper and website.

Mac and I met at Governor’s Cafe at 8am, where we saw the article on paper edition.


After that I walked on Ipponbageta around the Octagon by myself taking some pictures and movies.

I remember being here just 20 years ago and I know most of buildings but I cannot remember how I was then.

I’m wondering how 20 years matters to me.

And I thought about 20 years from now. I’m sure the time will come but I have no idea how I can keep the memory today in my mind.


I decided to stay another night after presentation for the language students of the University of Otago.


I just want to do something for WORLD PEACE as often as possible if there’s a chance.

It doesn’t matter even if the schedule has been changed.

All I got to do is to be flexible.

So I’m going to leave here on Wednesday morning.


At 3pm, Mac and I visited the City Museum.

It was a great opportunity for me to learn the history and culture of New Zealand including the Maori people.


At 6pm Mac took me to an Indian restaurant on George Street.

How many people did I meet today?

I saw so many people that I couldn’t remember their faces.

Mac is a good mixer who often takes some pictures when he stops them and talks to them.

I guess he believes that we are all brothers and sisters on the same planet.

I know what he means to me. It’s a still long way to go to meet as many people as possible out of 7 billion on earth.

But it’s the very mission of my PEACE RUN.

According to Google Map, I still have 1100km to go back to Christchurch even if I skip Te Anau and Bluff.


I I run 50km every day I need 22 days, 40km 28 days.

It’s not impossible but a tight schedule.

Balance is necessary. Running hard and taking a break so often.


I used to take a rest once a week but now I take a day off every 3 or 4 days.


Everything will be all right. What’s important is to believe that way.



*Distance Today: 0km

*Total Distance from Auckland: 1661.33km

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Day51 Dunedin

I had a hard time from tough and hard hill climb yesterday but I don’t feel so bad.

What’s done is done. Probably my body knows it so well.

Hope my body is strong enough to be like an iron which is hit while it’s hot.


Before noon I hopped into city center on Ipponbageta.

Walking along George Street, I looked outstanding.

Mac and I was supposed to meet Governor’s Cafe at 11:30am but I left before 11 to enjoy city watching.

I still remember Knox Church when I first saw this tall building 20 years ago.

Mac is kind of a good mixer. He likes to take photos with anyone he doesn’t even know wherever he is.

After that, Pita showed me around the city in his car.

Enjoyed the great view of the city from lookout on the mountain.

Yes, I saw the same landscape yesterday but I was too tired to enjoy the view while climbing so hard.

Next we visited Lanarch Castle. It is the only castle in New Zealand.

This is a mansion which some rich man built. Its garden and cottage, cafe are open to public.

Pita says his mother was from Kyushu, Japan. That’s why he’s much interested in Japanese culture. He says he’s been to Japan several times but never in Hokkaido.

Speaking of Hokkaido, Dunedin has a sister city in Japan. Yes, Otaru is it.

Every time I walk on Ipponbageta, I am paid much attention to by everyone around me.


*Distance Today: 0km

*Total Distance from Auckland: 1661.33km

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Day50 Palmerston to Dunedin

Left Palmerston at 7:20.

Some small hills one after another.

About 6km point, Mac showed up with his friend Erina.

Erina gave him a ride here with his bike.

Mac and I met in Christchurch for the first time at Peace Bell meeting.

As he promised he was here for riding with me.

He’s also a teacher and a bike lover too.

He once cycled across Japan from north to south.

We are the same kind as we love PEACE, always searching for the way to WORLD PEACE.

Today there were two peaks on the way. The first one was OK. But the second one was not easy. Hill climbing seemed to last forever.

Some were too steep to run. So I just kept pushing and walking.

Downhill also too steep and long, my right hand got numb on the brake lever.

I took a break from time to time so that both my knees wouldn’t get damage.

This hill climb may be harder than climbing Mt. Fuji twice per day.

Or should I say running 100km trail marathon, running 100km marathon two days in a row.

It was quite hot and dry. I drank 5 liter water today.

Without Mac pedaling with me, I may have quit somewhere along the road or I might have kept walking not running.

So many people we talked on the way today.

And I got interviewed by Otago Daily Times (ODT). The article will be seen on Monday paper.

On Tuesday I have a chance to present to Erina’s international students.

We visited Erina as soon as we arrived in Dunedin. Drank some local beer as a small welcome party.

Finally I checked in at Kiwi’s Nest Backpackers Hostel in Dunedin about 7pm. Too exhausted to speak normally.

I have run 271km in total since Monday in 5 running days.

This pace equals to 1600km running in a month.

I was planning to run tomorrow too but I don’t want to run for a while. No, I can’t. I’m sure that’s enough.


I’ll never ever forget today’s run. It will be recorded as one of the hardest run in my life.


*Distance Today: 56.69km

*Total Distance from Auckland: 1661.33km

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Day49 Oamaru to Palmerston

  Troy and Pauline...we met along SH1 just after I left Oamaru.


Breakfast was gorgeous here in Chimneys B&B.

I really enjoyed breakfast Shige made for me.


Riku, his eldest son seemed to love One-Tooth Geta.

He must have gone to bed with One-Tooth Geta on.

Left Oamaru after 8am saying goodbye to Shige and Riku.


Just after I left Oamaru, a pickup truck stopped in front of me.

A man got out of the car. He said his name was Troy the farmer.

He asked me so many questions showing his curiosity so much.

I answered all the questions and he gave me some gifts in return.

I got 3 pieces of pork steak and a dozen of free range eggs.

What surprised him most was the story of my running across the Nullarbor Plain, Australia.

“How crazy you are! I’ve driven across the Nullarbor before and I already knew how tough and hard it was.” he said.

“I’m wondering how many crazy runners like you there are in Japan!”

We chatted for about 20 minutes.

“I cannot something outrageous like you did but I really liked a crazy man like you!”

His wife Pauline appeared later and said, “You’re too skinny. Eat a lot to run across New Zealand.”

Troy shook my hand so tight and strong when we said goodbye.


Sunny but wind was chilly.

Cloudy afternoon. Lots of hills but had a flat road only the last 15km.

Last 10km was also a hill climb again.

Even entering the town of Palmerston I had to climb a hill.

The final hill was on the way to a motel from SH1.


Annet, the owner of the motel was kind enough to give me a discount. She offered me a room usually charged 100 dollars for 80.



*Distance Today: 60.83km

*Total Distance from Auckland: 1604.64km

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Day48 Oamaru

Welcome New Year’s Day at B&B Chimneys, Oamaru.

Funny how nothing’s wrong with my body and legs at all.

I can’t believe I ran 67km yesterday.

Maybe whole my body is getting super now.


The first thing I have to do is laundry.

And ordinary breakfast as usual.

Toast with vegemite, peanut butter and honey.

Coffee, cereal and milk. Yogurt with some fruits.


I’m just glad I’m alive here.


Shige and his elder son Riku tried One-Tooth Geta for the first time.

Riku really liked it. He says he wants to get one pair for a training tool.

He’s also a runner who has completed a half-marathon.

In the evening, Bettina Shige’s friend comes and visit and we had dinner together.

I ate Japanese Curry and Rice (photo above) here in New Zealand for the first time for a long while.

Thanks, Shige-san for your hospitality!!




*Distance Today: 0km

*Total Distance from Auckland: 1543.81km

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A Happy New Year!!

2015 has just started.

We human beings live together on Earth and we runners run together in this world.

May PEACE always be with you in 2015!!