last performance in nippon maru, an eve, right before reaching up to yokohama... 

windy-windy japan sea... 

The Song of Peace

It's the song that we sing, together in warm friendship and peace, during the trip on board...

Nippon Maru

SongLyric and Music by Augusto Francisco Jasmin Meyer

Nippon Maru , sailing the blue , blue ocean

Riding the waves over the deep blue sea

Can you tell me how much you can cover a day?

Can you tell me how long you have gone

with the purpose of bringing together young heart and mind

Nippon Maru , sailing the blue , blue ocean

chasing the wind over the deep blue sea

Can you take me with you to the ports of the world

with the message of love and peace

Can you take me to the nations

where caring is only a word to say

If you carry us over and out to the world

There's a chance we can speak to them all

There's a chance we can tell them

the world's but home

and all people are family

........

it's the song that has been inspiring and touching thousands of hearts in Asia...

me, my national flag and nippon maru at Bangkok Port 

About SSEAYP

History of SSEAYP
The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth program is based on the respective Joint Statements issued in January 1974 between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia , Malaysia , the Republic of Philippines the Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand. Negara Brunei Darussalam, following full independence and its admission to the ASEAN in January 1984 , joined the program in 1985. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam joined in 1996 , following its admission to the ASEAN in July 1995 , and the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar joined in 1998 after having been admitted to the ASEAN in July 1997. Furthermore , in 2000 , the Kingdom of Cambodia also joined this program following its admission to the ASEAN in April 1999. This program is carried out by the Government of Japan with the active participation and cooperation of these ten Southeast Asian countries.

Purpose
The purpose of this program is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youth of Japan and Southeast Asian countries ; to broaden their perspective on the world , as well as to strengthen their motivation and ability in international cooperation by participating in discussions , in ob-board introductions to each country , and in various exchange activities both on-board and in the countries visited. In addition , the participating youths are expected to progress to leadership positions in youth activities , and in various other sections , in their own country after this program.

Participating countries (by alphabetical)
1.Brunei
2.Cambodia
3.Indonesia
4.Japan
5.Laos
6.Malaysia
7.Myanmar
8.Philippines
9.Singapore
10.Thailand
11.Vietnam

Activities
on Board the Ship and in countries visited
1.Activities on Board the Ship ;
a) Discussion
b) Solidarity group activities
c) Club activities
d) Introduction to each country
e) Lectures
f) Studies for safe voyage, including lifeboat drill
g) Other activities approved by COC (Cruise Operating Committee)

2.Activities in the Countries Visited
a) Courtesy calls and Reception (meet the leaders of the countries!)
b) Homestay
c) Parties on board, and open ship
d) Program on interaction with local people during a visit to facility
e) Other activities arranged by the respective governments/ reception committee (Implementation of these is limited to when the program has sufficient spare time to add an extra activity other than those listed above.)

Working language
English is the working language throughout this program
Participants
1. 20-30 years of age
2. Able to participate throughout the program
3. Having a command of English adequate to enable participation in the activities both on board and in the countries visited.
4. In good health , both physically and mentally.
5. Adaptable to an orderly group life in accordance with the program schedule
6. Having a good understanding of, and interest in , the countries visited

sky veranda, 7th floor. place where I witnessed different views of different lands, in various colors of the clouds... 

Nippon Maru..sailing the blue-blue ocean... (with you, I feel the spirit of freedom!) 

midship bar : venue for my handicraft course in club activity 2003 

sunset at pacific ocean.. a view from 8th floor 

2nd port of call, port klang malaysia... 

seto-ohashi bridge, longest bridge in the world, early morning.. 

running..playing..laughing... it's SG activities in dolphin hall !! 

sentosa & the pys! 

discussion sub committee, after a midnight (1) rehearsal for Tokyo commemorative forum... 

The colors of Indonesia! 

the contingent of the Republic of Indonesia for SSEAYP 2003 

me & nippon maru! 

an afternoon at paco park, manila. asri-chew-uncle rod 

ready for street party! from shangri-la then move on to makati.. 

the journey took me to...

SSEAYP 2003, September - October 2003.
It's more than just a journey from Singapore - Indonesia - Malaysia - Thailand - Philippines - Japan, but,

It's one of the most unforgettable moment in life,

Days when sea and friendship were the only thing around, when I lived in a different world. A world where more than 300 youth from 11 countries set up the rules, mingling, and understanding that we were different, yet we were one.

We sailed on the 3rd generation of Nippon Maru, a ship that had been serving the program for 30 years. I dedicate some stories of SSEAYP for my friends, and for the friendship among human in this universe...

The journey took me to another facet of live.
To an understanding on life
To a better future.

Thank you, SSEAYP!

see more about SSEAYP in
www.sseayp.com

love & peace,
-A-
I2, IPY 2003