14 / 32
IPA
Friendship
Week
Croatia
Pete Connolly
MBE, Secretary General, IPA Section UK.
I first visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, with my family whilst on a cruise holiday in
2015. The old city is a truly wonderful place, steeped in history and now thanks to
featuring in the ‘Game of Thrones’ TV series, it has an enhanced sense of magic and mystery. Amanda, my
wife, was captivated by the place and wanted to return and see more.
I
t was serendipitous for me
, when I saw
IPA Croatia circulate information about a
Friendship Week in 2016. I told Mrs C who
was immediately excited about going on our our
first IPA Friendship Week experience as visitors.
When No2 Region hosted a Friendship Week in
2010 I was on the organising committee. It was
a busy period for us, we had 80 visitors and we
put together a busy itinerary for our guests. It
was great to be involved in that event but as the
organisers, we spent the week ensuring that our
visitors’ needs were catered to, rather than a
focus on our own enjoyment of the programme.
Truth be told, there is a wonderful sense of
satisfaction to be gained from delivering a good
event for your friends. Sevo Per Amikeco!
So, on 6th May it was time for Mrs C and I to head
to Croatia. We arrived at Dubrovnik Airport where
I wore my IPA baseball cap to make myself more
obvious as I passed through the arrivals lounge.
We literally just passed through passport control
and there was our reception guide with a large IPA
placard. After a warm welcome we were whisked
off to the door of our hotel. Much better treatment
than I have ever received on a package holiday!
Vlaho Lujo, a National Officer of IPA Croatia, was
the co-ordinator for the Friendship Week. He was
there to welcome us, and our fellow travellers to
the hotel.
The participants came from Sections Brazil,
Canada, Ireland, USA and UK.
During a week of coach tours, we covered over
1000 kilometres, visited many beautiful and
historic towns and cities, National Parks, and had
guided tours everywhere we went.
We ate well, toasted our good fortune regularly
and laughed plentifully as the group bonded and
made firm friendships. In many ways it was not
the destination that mattered, so much as the
friendships made.
Mrs C loved that we had a holiday with a solid
itinerary which meant the only responsibility
placed upon us as travellers, was that we got
up in the morning and got on the bus at the
appointed time. We were shepherded in the most
lovely manner by Vlaho and Ana, to ensure that we
got the most from our trip and that all our needs
were met. Everything was organised to perfection.
Amanda and I are now sure that this was the first
of many Friendship Weeks that we hope to enjoy
over the coming years. So much world, thankfully
so many IPA Sections!
I cannot advocate too strongly to the membership
of IPA Section UK that you should experience at
least one of these events. Several ‘Friendship
Week’ events are circulated and advertised
through our various forms of communications
every year. The IPA is a fantastic friendship
association. Our members may have a
professional connection as an initial link but it is
a selfless nature that I believe is the greatest link
between our members globally; we like to meet
new people, to reach out a hand of friendship
and help. Friendship is a great gift to share.
The images along with this article do some
small justice I hope to reflect the friendship,
bon homie, shared meals, cultural delights
and experiences that I shared with my
fellow travellers. Gifts were given, contact
details exchanged, arrangements are
already in place for further meet ups with
some of the travellers and emails have
zoomed around the world to drop into the
in boxes of my newly confirmed friends.
So, take a chance, go on a holiday, let someone
else take all the decisions for you for one week,
make new friendships. Have a ball. Go on, you
will, you will you will!
Remember, “There are no strangers in the
IPA, just friends you have not met yet!”
Local culture
Gifts and Presentations
Ana and Vlaho Lujo
14
POLICE WORLD
Vol 61 No. 4, 2016
Article