We first met in 2000 at Tokyo, Japan for what seem like an ordinary conference to address piracy and armed robbery against ships issues. The forum however spinned off to varies initiatives that saw several Expert Group Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta and Pattaya, the conduct of a series of Coast Guard Agencies forums and the formation of an International Organization in Singapore. Catching up with Hsu Sin Yun and Li Bing was a great start for the event at India.
Meeting in New Delhi, India, head of delegations and some supporting staff visited the famous TAJ MAHAL Leaving the hotel at 0630 hrs for a 4-hr road trip , 2 buses headed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site @ Agra.. Construction of this historical site began in 1632. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later.
The visit to the Taj Mahal and later Fort Agra was part of the Social/Cultural visit organized by our host, the Indian Coast Guard. At the meeting proper, also met several "old friends" from China, Thailand and Indonesia.Don in their uniform for the meeting proper, it was another session of photo opportunity during the coffee/lunch breaks.
Our sporting Japanese coordinator, Aiko also merged into the Indian culture by showing up in a Sari, during the farewell dinner after the formal meeting.
Though we didn't venture very much on our own beyond the hotel, our host certainly presented a different perspective of "Amazing India" :p)
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