Its a small small world

First met CONNIE IRAWATI when she was working with the Indonesian Civil Services in the initial years when ReCAAP was in its infant stage of conceptualization. We met again at a Conference in Tokyo when Piracy & Armed Robbery Against Ships was a major concern in the region. Separately, met CAPT HARMUT HESSE whilst attending a short course on the ISPS Code before it came on line in July 2004. Maritime Security was lurking in the background and indirectly, Piracy & Armed Robbery issues were related to Ship and Port state of security/well being.

Have maintained contacts with both of them separately, not knowing that they were both getting married though both spoke of their intended marriage (separately, with no names mentioned). They were miles apart from two different worlds with ME, the common entity (not realising it) It was in my participation of a MSC meeting that I was invited for dinner in London that all the "stars were aligned". After many years for friendship and occasional meet-up at various part of the world, we had lunch when Elsie joined us in London on 30 Nov 10 at a little Italian Restaurant near the IMO. It is a small small world afterall !!!