In 1999, 12 Kiwi’s with Sandra Kailahi as our illustrious leader, set off for Tokyo to participate in the 11th Ship for World Youth.

‘Celebrating Diversity’ was the theme for the Ship, a diverse bunch we were, and oh boy did we celebrate….

With the Nippon Maru being in Auckland for the 22nd Ship for World Youth, the Port of Call activities needing volunteers, and it being 10 years since we all departed for our own Ship experience we decided it was as good a time as any for a get together. And so the planning began.

Your browser may not support display of this image.Your browser may not support display of this image.Really, it was only going to be something simple, like a nice dinner somewhere, as the Port of Call activities were going to provide ample opportunity to catch up with all the gossip from the 10 years. And that is what we did. In keeping with the theme we choose a Japanese restaurant and had an excellent meal.

To have the crew back together again, apart from Damon who decided to shun his friends and stay in Japan, was just awesome and a reflection of the friendship and camaraderie of our delegation and the spirit of the SWY programme in general. It was just like we were back up on the 6th floor.

With Nikki travelling up from Wellington, Anna from Dunedin, Pam and Waveney from Christchurch and Rokeni all the way from South Auckland was something special.

A BBQ at Pauls later that weekend rounded off the weekend catch-up.

Who knows where we all will be in another 10 years, but it would be exceptional if we could do this again.

The challenge has been laid for other NZ delegations to see where they are in 10 years and keep the SWY families together!

Darryl Bretherton