By J. Brock (FINN)
The Photos show 1. Commander Dilip Donde arriving on his yacht
2. Indian Defence Attaché Commodore Bannerjee who flew from the UK especially to meet Commander Dilip Donde on his arrival.
Commander Dilip Donde, a naval officer seeking to become the first Indian to sail solo around the world, has arrived at FIPASS in Stanley, Falkland Islands at approximately 1100hrs LMT on Saturday 16 January 2010 aboard his yaht, 'Mhandei'. His yacht was met by a flotilla of launches and yachts at the mouth of Port William and the entourage made its way past the Cape Pembroke Lighthouse and through the narrows.
At FIPASS a contingent of Royal Naval personnel and media met with Commander Dilip Donde. Making a special flight to meet Commander Dilip Donde was the Indian Defence Attaché Commodore Bannerjee, who boarded the Sulivan Launch at 0940hrs to join the flotilla.
Saturday had begun bright and sunny but by the time Commander Dilip Donde arrived a wind had kicked up and skies clouded over. The arrival, nonetheless was spectacular and well worth the wait.
Commander Dilip Donde was flagged off in India by Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta Aug 19, 2009. He has the luxury of only four stops - Fremantle (Australia), Christchurch (New Zealand), Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Cape Town (South Africa).
It is expected that Commander Dilip Donde will be in the Falklands until he continues his circumnavigation on 02 February 2010 but the Naval Attaché will fly back to the UK and then return just prior to the departure date.
