I visited Sanur Beach first time in November 1977. It was a quiet paradise with just a handful of tourists.In La Taverna Hotel , where I stayed then where a group of medical doctors from New Zealand with their wifes.
A year before at the Montreal Olympics the Finnish long distance runner Lasse Viren
had won the two Kiwi challengers Dick Quax and Rod Dixon in a fantastic run of 5000 meters, where those two had practically sworn to beat the Finn easily. It did not happen. Now, I probably was a very good one,thinking to be a fantastic runner too. The Kiwi doctors decided to have a new match. So one day I had to compete against their chosen one on the beach for a distance of one mile. I was 25 kilos or about 50 pounds lighter than today having a quite good physical form. So let's show them !
The Kiwi's sent some people to the goal area, and we started to run. What an easy thing, I thought after leading clearly after the half of distance, running lightly. Then suddenly there was a total blackout, my legs could just carry me, I did not know what I was doing, except I must just get to somewhere. Finally some people stopped me, and I did remember that it was a competition. I went to congratulate my rival, but he smiled and said, you might not know it, but you did reach the finishing line first.
I was too exhausted to be happy, I only thought it's over. The Kiwis half carried me back. But a couple of hours later, when I celebrated my win with those wonderful people from New Zealand on them of course, I was a very proud Finn, naturally.
New Zealand
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4 comments:
Hello Matti!
Nice to read that you´re enjoying the life, in Bali at the moment. We´re enjoying the company of your wonderful Viki after a long time not seeing him. But the tender mutual love has not vanished! We are as good friends as we used to be.
Today Viki met the three Bison Frisee girls he got to know a year ago here in Kivenlahti and the enthusiasm to see each other was just incredible. The girls were at their most charming and Viki did not hesitate to take action... Hmm
So CARPE DIEM and that´s what you´re doing. We all send you the very best greetings from the cold Finland
Raili, Matti, Riitta, Mikko, Anni and of course VIKI
Very nice to hear of you!
Fantastic that Viki has so good memory. Now I too can hope that the dear doggy remembers me when back in Finland at the end of March. Best regards from Kuala Lumpur to you all.
Hi Matthias....hows going?so now you in Kl....whispering my name there, he he he...next time will go there also...
so no time for say goodbye to me!
well so you are sagitarius also,same me....i can see that,happy birthday ya!!!!
i wish you have very great time there and i will read your blog regularly...
Take care!!!
a t i k (beach cafe internet sanur)
Dear Atik .
I really went to see you, but you were not there but your colleaque.
You are a special lady with very beautiful eyes and with Turkishmen's
name. How could I forget you!
Take care and all the best
Matti
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