by Hla Min

Updated : 7th October 2026

I visited Nigara Falls twice.

First Visit

• Almost three decades ago from the US side
• Took a break from a Business Trip to New York
• Ko Mya Aung, Ko Tin Ohn, Ko Maung Maung Myint and I rented a car. We made a quick trip to Niagara Falls.

Second Visit

• Made in June 2015.
• Ivan Lee (M69) provided his Mercedes for whirl wind trip to Canada and the East Coast of USA.
• Fred Thetgyi (M69) drove most of the journey so that Ivan could rest.
• On the way to Windsor, Canada, we visited Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.

Posts

• Australia
• Myanmar
• Singapore, Thailand & Laos
• Trips within USA & Canada
• UK

by Hla Min

Updated : 7th October 2026

Trip to UK

In September 2017, we visited the United Kingdom. My previous visit was in 1972.

Hosts

My cousin nephew Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) and his spouse Daw Win Mar hosted us with sumptuous dinner almost every day. They both loved cooking.

Southern Wales

They also drove us to Southern Wales to visit Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS63) and his spouse Khin May Than (ChE72) at their new house at Ogmore by the sea.

Maung Maung Kyi was a Best Man at my wedding.

We were classmates for Stds VIII(A), IX(A) & X(A)at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) and I.Sc.(A).

We rowed together at RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). He was Bow. I was No.(2). Kyaw Wynn was No. (3). Myint Soe (Willie Soe Maung) was Timing Stroke. All are SPHS63. Myint Thein (SPHS62) was Cox.

When the Universities were closed following the first Anniversary celebration of 7th July, Maung Maung Kyi & Kyaw Wynn accepted Scholarship to study at Dresden University in Germany.

After his return, Maung Maung Kyi worked for Sittang Paper Mill and PCIC. He found his soul mate. They later moved to Wales.

They lost their beloved son Rimon (Medical doctor, Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force, Leader of the Rescue Team) in an avalanche. They heard the sad news a short time after they had landed in Yangon, and had to hurry back to the UK for their son’s last journey.

After that, Maung Maung Kyi rarely spoke and smiled. Khin May Than walked twice a day along the beach, and painted to ease her aches and pains.

That changed when we visited them.

There’s another reason. They gave their old house to their second son Dr. Khemar Than who had spent time in Japan and came back to see his parents. They meet on most weekends.

Update

Maung Maung Kyi and Peter Tun are now GBNF.

See my posts about them.

by Hla Min

Updated : 6th October 2026

Invitation

• Ivan Lee (M69) invited us — U Aung Myint (Saya, M69), U Sein Tin (Omega, M69) and I — to get together at his house in New Jersey preferably in May-June of 2015.
• U Aung Myint & U Sein Tin had visited him on previous occasions. They could not make it to the 2015 mini-reunion.

Fred

• Frederick Thetgyi (M69) joined the 2015 mini-reunion.
• He drove most of the 1800+ mile trip. Ivan provided his Mercedes & gas.
• Except for the rare occasion where his batteries went out (and had to be replaced), Fred took pictures at the mini-reunion and the trip.
• He would appear only in a fraction of the photos, when someone else (Ivan, a waiter, or a stranger) offered to take the photo.

Memories

The photos can be grouped by location

New Jersey

• Host: Ivan
• Other hosts : Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint

Niagara Falls

• On the way to Canada
• Taken on both the US side and the Canada side

Windsor, Canada

• Host : Sayagyi U Aung Khin

Toronto, Canada

• Brief sight seeing

Ottawa, Canada

• Host : Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma
• Quick trip to Thousand Islands

Massachusetts

• Host : Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC 69) & Daw Khin Maw Maw
• Visit MIT & Harvard University

Connecticut

• Host : U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint
• Visit Yale University
• Ate at Pizza place frequented by the young Bill Clinton

Philadelphia

• Host : Fred & and Eunice
• Visit Pake Forge & Liberty Bell

Maryland

• Visit my uncle U Thein Han & family

Posts

• 69er
• Reunion
• Visits

by Hla Min

Updated : 5th October 2026

I had a wonderful time in Myanmar in Janaury and February, 2018.

• 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for ICST/UCSY
• Paid respect to Saya U Soe Paing
• Paid respect to Saya U Moe Aung
• Last rites at Ye Way for Ko Aung Moung (M73)
• Guest lecture at UCSY
• Guest lecture at MARB
• Guest lectures at private monk university
• Monthly meeting of 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
• RITAA meeting (includes Opening Ceremony of Teacher’s Corner
• Discussion with Ko Wynn Htain Oo and Sayama Daw Thida

• 69er breakfast gathering organized by Ko Shwe (EP69)
• Birthday celebration by Ko Tin Mg Aye (M69)
• Birthday soon kway by Ko Kyaw Win (SPHS63, Germany) for Uzin Victor Aung Chaw
• UCC lunch gathering hosted by Ko Soe Myint and Ko Sein Myint
• Gatherings with relatives
• Meeting old friends

ICST

The 5th Acariya PuZaw Pwe of ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) and UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon) was held in January 2018.

Former students from UCC (Universities’ Computer Center), DCS (Department of Computer Science) and ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) requested me to attend the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY.

San Yin Myint (Samanta), one of the organizers for the Pu Zaw Pwe, is a niece of Saya U Win Kyaing (GBNF) and a cousin of Ko Maurice Chee, M75.

Per arrangement of Samantha, Ko Saw Yan Naing came and picked me up. He is the son of Dr. Saw Naing (Leslie), a nephew of Dr. Myo Khin and a cousin of Ko Soe Lin Maung (ex-UCC).

Gave a short speech as a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”.

The SPZP was held in five batches. As a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”, I covered some milestones of the Introduction of Computers to Burma under the leadership of Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe.

Ma Nge (Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, GBNF) attended the SPZP.

ICST/UCSY published a commemorative magazine for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of UCC. I wrote “Paying Back to My Alma Mater” (a summary of the 30+ posts about UCC) for the issue.

UCSY

Gave a guest lecture at UCSY a week later.

Spent 3 (or more) days of my vacation to write and post “Memories of UCC”. I also wrote an abridged version for publication in the 30th Anniversary of UCSY. They can be read at hlamin.com

UCC

Sayama Mu Mu Myint is a senior alumni of UCC and DCS. She requested her husband to drive a long way from their home to hand over the “token garawa” from an earlier “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe”.

Soe Lin Maung hosted a lunch micro-gathering (despite his busy schedule).

Ko Sein Myint (EC76, ex-UCC) and Ko Soe Myint (KSM, ex-UCC) hosted a lunch gathering at Kone Myint Tha. Ko Aung Myint (AM), Ko Win Myint (Bo Waing) and Ma Nu Nu Aung were also present. We then walked to Saya U Soe Paing’s house and paid respect to Saya (who was having a problem with his spine). Friends of Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69, MEHS 63) advised Saya to undergo a surgery in Singapore.

RIT

Met Saya U Moe Aung, Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ko Ohn Khine (M70), several members of RITAA, and 69ers.

69er Gatherings

Attended three breakfast gatherings with the 69ers.

Donated US$100 (part to 69er HCF and part to EE 69er HCF).

I hosted the gathering (mostly EE) with Uzin Aung Chaw (C) and Wei Lu (Met) as guests.

Mini-gathering hosted by me

During my visits to Myanamar, several friends gave me rides.

U Win Maung (Lake) gave a ride to three alumni:

• U Myint Maung (Bu, Volleyball)
• Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Victor) who came down from Sagaing Hills
• Yours truly

Since it was short notice, some former classmates could not show up.

A notable exception was U Win Thein Zaw (“Wai Lu”) who came down from Nay Pyi Taw at the breakfast gathering. His spouse is a cousin of U Win Boh (Robert).

Standing:

• U Shwe (Treasurer of the 69er HCF and EE 69er HCF)
• U Sein Myint (Major donor of the HCFs, RIT Selected for Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo)
• Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Sagaing Hills)
• U Win Maung (Lake, RIT Selected for Swimming and Water Polo)
• U Hla Min (Host, also donated to the HCFs)

Seated :

• U Myat Soe Lwin (Sai Hwet, Survived a fall from the ceiling)
• U Win Thein Zaw (Member of Pyithu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw)
• U Kyi Win (Kyaw Gyi, former sea farer, yogi)
• U Myint Maung (Selected for EE Volleyball, One of the youngest 69er, Eligible bachelor)

Second Gathering

Ko Tin Maung Aye (M, Accordion) hosted a gathering to celebrate his birthday.

Third Gathering

The gathering on February 24, 2018 was to welcome Ko Win Boh (Robert) and Surinder Singh from Australia. Unfortunately, Surinder could not wrap up his trip to Upper Burma to be in time for the 69er gathering. Ko Kyaw Nyunt organized a lucky draw with presents given by Ko Frederick Thetgyi.

Trips

Tiring, but interesting and entertaining to take three trips.

Phyu Phyu Kyaw (UCC) offered to sponsor me to spend two nights at a hotel in Bagan Myo Thit. Had been a long time since I visited Bagan / Nyaung Oo.

A sayadaw asked if I would like to attend a consecration ceremony for “Lyaung Daw Mu” (Reclining Pagoda) near the bank of Mu River (in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing).

My beloved wife wanted to do dana at Hinthada for her ancestors.

Learned a lot

I learned a lot from the trips by being a “good” listener and also experiencing the conditions (infrastructure, culture, …) in different parts of Myanmar.

Cost more to take a taxi to and from the “Long distance bus station” than to travel by an air-conditioned bus.

Takes a lot longer to take the “short cut” road than to take the longer “paved” road. It’s worse if one is not aware of “unfinished” repair work on a dirt road : sharp rocks, pot holes, …

Ha Lin (Old Capital of Pyu) is a Cultural Heritage, but there are no “good” roads leading there.

Someone commented : “Most of us just make quick trips to pagodas. Several tourists hire motorbikes to explore both Old and New Bagan (and beyond). They take photos with professional cameras.”

SPHS

Kyaw Wynn (SPHS63) is cousin of Saya U Tin Htut (M) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung (E).

He rowed No. (3) on the Bow side in our Senior Novice crew.

He Hosted a birthday soon kwyay gathering at Shwe Ba Saing. Offered soon to Uzin Aung Chaw (C69) and donated to Uzin’s dhamma projects. Ordered lunch for his old classmates (some of whom I have not seen since our University days). Attendees include Than Win (M69), Tin Tun (M69), Khin Maung Bo (Alan, EP69, GBNF), Aung Kyi (Arthur, “motorcycle” guy, GBNF), Aye Ngwe (Edwin, GBNF), and Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, UK).

by Hla Min

Update : October 2026

Poem

• My poem “Phaung daw-u Festival” was published in the Thadinkyut Supplement of the Working People’s Daily (WPD). I received Fifteen Kyats for the poem.
• U Ko Lay was the Chief Editor of WPD. Daw Khin Swe Hla was Assistant Editor of WPD.

Visits

First Visit

• My first visit was as Luyechun to the Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the summer of 1965.
• Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin were the other RIT Luyechuns.
• See related posts on “Luyechun”.

Second Visit

• My second visit was as a guest of Peter Pe (Aung Kyaw, SPHS) in October, 1965.
• Maung Maung Aye decided to join us.
• We were greeted at Nyang Shwe by Thar Oo (Shan Pyay).
• We stayed for a week in Inn Paw Khone in Inlay Lake.
• Peter’s cousins (including a medical doctor) hosted us.
• We attended the Phaung Daw-u Festival.
• We then visited Taunggyi to see Peter’s uncle U Maung Maung Latt (Ah Matt Choke of Nyaung Shwe Sawbwa).
• We attended the Mee Bone Byan Pwe.

Third Visit

• My third visit was in the mid 2010’s via a Tour Company which arranged a Tour Guide, and car, a private boat and a night stay at a hotel in the Lake.
• The photo shows a rainbow in the background.
• We were sad to see the declining state of Inlay (e.g. water level).
• We spent some time in Taunggyi and the nearby cave in Ho Pone.

Fourth Visit

• My fourth visit was in January 2020 as the last leg of a one week PSA (Professional Speakers Association) 2020 Tour.
• We stayed at a hotel near Inlay Lake.
• Two PSA members gave a short course to the hotel employees.
• Some went for the Hot Air Balloon ride. Some opted for a boat ride in the Inlay Lake.

by Hla Min

Update : September 2026

Ngapali

Poem

• My poem “The Ngapali Beach” was published in Forward Magazine
• Received 15 Kyats for the poem
• Illustrator received 50 Kyats
• Bohmu Ba Thaw was Chief Editor of the Forward Magazine. He jokingly asked me if I would be interested to join his staff.
• U Sein Hla was Assistant Editor

Three Visits

• My first visit was during my student days with my cousin Ko Thaung Lwin & friends. We stayed at U Tha Gyaw Wai’s Bungalow (managed by my uncle U Thet Toe).
• At a nearby bungalow was the Amyotha Yoke Shin movie crew with U San Maung (Gerald, RUBC Gold & Coach). They were shooting a film starring Wah Wah Win Shwe and directed by U Min Naing. Ko Gerald asked me if I would be interested to join them on the way back to Rangoon via Taung Goke.
• The ride on the truck over the Taung Goke Pass was rough and tough. At Taung Goke, we were hosted by a cinema owner. He offered the movie audience a free show if they could translate the Burmese titles into English. One submission was “Fly away bitter bird” (Pyan Lay dei Nget Khar ပျံလေတဲ့ဌက်ခါး).
• The rest of the trip involved a boat ride after a long delay and a train ride.
• My second visit was with my beloved spouse & two young sons. We stayed at Amyotha Yoke Shin Bungalow managed by U Mya Maung, elder brother of Saya U Tin Htut (M).
• My third visit was as Guest Lecturer for Ngapali Luyechun Camp in 1988. I spent some time chatting with other Guest Lecturers including Saya U Kyaw Myint (DG of Higher Education, former Physics Professor at Mandalay).
• I know a few people who have taken annual trips to Ngapali.

Inlay

Poem

• My poem “Phaung daw-u Festival” was published in the Thadinkyut Supplement of the Working People’s Daily (WPD).
• Received 15 Kyats for the poem

Four Visits

• My first visit was as Luyechun to Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the summer of 1965.
• My second visit was as a guest of Peter Pe (SPHS) in October, 1965. Maung Maung Aye decided to join us. We were greeted at Nyaung Shwe by Thar Oo (Shan Pyay).
• We stayed for a week in Inn Paw Khone in Inlay Lake. Peter’s cousins (including a medical doctor) hosted us. We attended the Phaung Daw-u Festival.
• We then visited Taunggyi to see Peter’s uncle U Maung Maung Latt (Ah Matt Choke အမတ်ချုပ်of Nyaung Shwe Sawbwa ညောင်ရွှေစော်ဘွား). We attended the Mee Bone Byan Pwe မီးပုံးပျံပွဲ

• My third visit was in the mid 2010’s via a Tour Company which arranged a Tour Guide, and car, a private boat and a night stay at a hotel in the Lake.
• The photo shows a rainbow in the background.

• Sad to see the declining state of Inlay (e.g. low water level). We also spent some time in Taunggyi and the nearby cave in Ho Pone.
• My fourth visit was in January 2020 as the last leg of PSA 2020 Tour. We stayed at a hotel near Inlay Lake. Two PSA members gave a short course to the hotel employees. Some went for the Hot Air Balloon ride. Some opted for a boat ride in the Inlay Lake.

Sydney

In June 2006, I visited Sydney, Australia to attend three mini-gatherings.

• Annual Dinner of Engineers
  mostly RIT Alumni

• Gathering hosted by Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC) to pay respect to Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Founder of UCC) and Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (National Advisor, Board Member of UCC)

• Lunch for Old Paulians in Olympic Park by Dr. Thann Naing (Bonnie Kywe, Geology)

• Ko Tha Hlaing (EC83) is the son of Dr. Freddie Ba Hli and my cousin Daw Myint Thwe. He gave me the book “This is Sydney” as a present.

Niagara Falls

• Visited Nigara Falls twice.
• My first visit to Niagara Falls two decades ago from the US side.
• Ko Mya Aung, Ko Tin Ohn, Ko Mg Mg Myint and I rented a car and made a quick trip.
• My second visit to Niagara Falls was made in July 2015.
• Ivan Lee (M69) provided his Mercedes for a trip to Canada and the East Coast of USA.
• Fred Thetgyi (M69) drove most of the journey so that Ivan could rest. On the way to Windsor, Canada, we visited Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.

UK

England

• Hosts : Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) & Daw Win Mar (Reading, England)

Wales

• Hosts : U Maung Maung Kyi & Daw Khin May Than (Ogmore-by-the-sea, Wales)
• See posts

Texas

Hosts

• Dr. Ba Han & Daw Lillian (Fort Worth)

• U San Lin & Daw Hla Hla Myint (Dallas)

• U Myo Tin & Dr. Khine Zin Oo (Temple)

Seattle

• U Khin Maung Zaw (Side trips to Oregon & Vancouver)

East Coast

Maryland

• Dr. L Sein Myint

• U Thein Han & family
• U Wynn Myint Aung & family

Washington, D.C.

• U Htin Lin & family

Tri-State

• U Aung Thu (New York)

• Ivan Lee (New Jersey) : Side trip to Canada & East Coast
• Tom Liu & family (Connecticut)

Pennsylvania

• Fred Thetgyi & family

Massachusetts

• Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw & Daw Khin Maw Maw (also Cape Cod for their son’s wedding)

SoCal

• Saya U Tin Htut & Daw Irene

• Steeve Kay (QTCM & KFF)

• U Aung Khin & Daw The The
• Daw Phyu Phyu Kyaw

• U Tin Htoon & Daw Helen

• Ed Saw

Canada

• Sayagyi U Aung Khin (Windsor)

• Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma (Napean)
• U Zaw Oo (Vancouver)

Singapore

• U Win Latt

• U Tin Aung Win & Daw Wah

• U Ngwe Soe & Daw Nu Nu Yee (Side trip to Jahore & Malecca)

• U Zaw Tun & Daw Kyu Kyu
• Pale Shein & Ko Ye

• U Khin Maung Myint

Myanmar

5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival

• Host : ILF Board

2020 Myanmar PSA Tour

• Host : U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing & family

Visit to Burma by Foreign Leaders

• During our younger days, three N’s : Nu (Burma), Nehru (India) and Nasser (Egypt) celebrated the Burmese New Year (Thingyan Festival). They helped found the Non-Aligned Movement.
• Other leaders such as David Ben Gurion (Israel), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) and Daj Hammarskjold (UNSG) also visited Burma.

Nehru (India)

Photos : Compiled by Win Aung Gyi (Maung Aung Mon)

Nehru and Indira Gandhi (India)

Chou En Lai (China)

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Niagara Falls

• Visited Nigara Falls twice
• First : from the US side
• Second : photos taken on the trip in 2015 from the Canada side

Ngapali

• Visited Ngapali three times
• First : with cousin & friends
• Second : with my family
• Third : Guest Lecturer at the Luyechun Camp
• My poem was published in the Forward Magazine

Inlay

• Visited Inlay four times
• First : as RIT Luyechun
• Second : with Peter Pe & Mg Mg Aye (SPHS classmates)
• Third : with a Tour Company
• Fourth : with PSA
• My poem was published in the Thadinkyut Supplement.

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

• In July 2015, Ivan Lee (M69) invited us to stay at his home in New Jersey. Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma were also invited to spend a few days before going back to Canada.
• Conversation with Sayagyi and Ivan was interesting. Ivan had an expensive hearing aid, but he did not use it. So, several questions and answers had to be repeated.
• Ivan took us to selected places in New Jersey & New York. We saw a victory parade of the victorious US women soccer team.

• Ivan hosted the RIT-UCC gathering at his house.
• Ivan asked Fred to join us in the whirl wind tour of Canada and US East Coast.
• Ivan provided his car (Mercedes) & gas for the trip.
  Fred drove most of the trip.
• Stopped at Buffalo & Niagara Falls before heading to Windsor.

Visit to Canada

Windsor

• We arrived at the house of Sayagyi U Aung Khin a few hours late. Sayagyi was calm and smiling. We had a brief conversation before Ivan and Fred left for a nearby hotel.
  Sayagyi graciously let my spouse and I spend the night in his guest room.
• Sayagyi prepared Mohinga and Ah Kyaw for breakfast for all of us.
• We paid respect to Sayagyi.
• He asked us to choose a souvenir from Windsor.

Ottawa

• We went to Ontario, but did not have the time to visit Saya Des.
• We drove around and headed to Napean (in Ottawa Province) to visit Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma.

• Sayagyi shared his memories and jokes.
• We all stayed at Sayagyi’s house.
• Sayagyi showed us around Ottawa.

• He then took us to a Thousand Islands for a boat trip.

Massachusetts

• On the way back, we visited Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) and Daw Khin Maw Maw in Massachusetts.
• They live about 50 miles from Boston.
• Since they were renovating their house, they put us up at a hotel.

• We visited MIT, Harvard and selected places in the area.

Connecticut

• The next leg took us to Trumbull, Connecticut. U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint hosted us.

• They took us to see Yale and a restaurant where Bill Clinton used to hang out.

Rest of the Stay

• Then, it was “Home Sweet Home” for Ivan.

Side Trip

• Fred later took us to see his second sister in Philadelphia.
  Sad to note that Ma Kathleen passed away recently in November, 2021.
• We stayed at Fred’s house.
• He showed us around. We bought souvenir coins from Liberty Bell.
• He drove us to Maryland to see my lone remaining uncle.
• Then, we headed back to New Jersey.

Thanks to our hosts for the memorable trip

• Sayagyi U Aung Khin
• Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
• Ivan
• Fred
• U TAG
• Ko Toung

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Plan

• The trip was planned for May 8, 2019 to May 18, 2019
• There were twists and turns

Ad hoc mini-gathering

Bo Nyo

During a conversation, Lillian mentioned that Khin Mya Nyo (Bo Nyo) & Ronald (classmates of my spouse at IM1) came to her house to see San San Nwe (another IM1 classmate visiting from East Coast). My spouse was surprised and delighted to learn that her friends were living about 45 minutes drive.

My spouse had met Bo Nyo a couple of times in the SF Bay Area : one for welcoming ASSK and the other at the wedding of the daughter of their classmates. At that time, Bo Nyo was living in New Mexico.

Bo Nyo invited us (including Dr. Ba Han & Lillian) to enjoy hot pot at “Little Sheep” on the evening of May 17, 2019.

May 17, 2019

Bo Nyo brought her aunt Daw Khin Nwe Aye (spouse of Sao Aung Myint @ John Khun Kyi). The small talk which reinforced the concept of “It’s a small world” took place from 6 PM to 9 PM. I learned that Saya Tony (Sao Kan Gyi, RIT English, GBNF) was Ma Nwe’s tutor when she was doing English Honors, and that he was a Best Man at her wedding.

Sao Aung Myint & U Oo Thwin (Michael) were together in the USA when they came as State Scholars.

Tet Toe (U Ohn Pe, Chief Editor of News Agency Burma) was Ma Nwe’s mentor at NAB. Min Kyaw Min was Ma Nwe’s colleague and later her boss. Ma Nwe and five others at NAB were forced to retire for their involvement in 8-8-88.

We had to call it a day, since it was a 45-minute drive back to Dr. Ba Han’s house and we need to pack our belongings for the trip back home on May 18, 2019 (Full Moon day of Kason).

May 18, 2019

Despite the warnings of bad weather, we were lucky. Some heavy rains stopped before we visited a place. Others occurred after we left a place.

To avoid bad weather, Dr. Ba Han decided to drop us early at the airport. But, we were not home free. Alerts sounded on our way to the air port. There was lightning, thunder and heavy rain on the way. It worsened after Dr. Ba Han dropped us at the terminal. He had to take shelter at a friend’s house for half an hour on the way back.

Some time later, we boarded the plane bound for Denver. We were caught by surprise when the pilot announced that the test for the auto-pilot did not pass. Many passengers (including us) were worried that we might miss the connecting flight at Denver.

Kan Soe Kan Kaung

Kan Soe : the plane finally left DFW (Dallas – Fort Worth). The “Fasten seat belt” was on for the most part flying through turbulent weather. The plane arrived at Denver. We had missed the connecting flight. Worse still, there were no more flights that evening/night to SJC (San Jose). We had to stand in a long queue at the Customer Service.

Kan Kaung : Since we missed our flight due to “mechanical failure”, the airline would provide a coupon for a hotel for the night. It would book us on the next available flight.

Kan Soe : There were three flights to SJC on May 19, 2019, but they are all sold out. We would be put on a waiting list. In the worst case, we would fly out on May 20.

Kan Kaung : We suggested flying to SFO instead of SJC (which is nearer to our home). The agent tried several times before she came up with a 6 AM flight to SFO for us.

Kan Soe : The hotel coupon listed the address but not the name. Fortunately, one driver looked up the name (called “Mainstay Suites”) and told us to catch the appropriate shuttle. We took the shuttle to the hotel which is 9+ miles from the airport. Rain greeted us when we arrived at the compound of several hotels (including “Comfort Inn”, which is a sister hotel of “Mainstay Suites”. We had to walk in the rain to our hotel. Since it was late, the hotel would not accept the food coupon provided by the airline. We asked for a shuttle ride early next morning. To our surprise, most slots for the half-hourly shuttles were full. We booked the 3 AM shuttle.

May 19, 2019

Kan Soe : We had a short sleep.

Kan Kaung : There were only three passengers in the 3 AM shuttle. One was a flight attendant for the Frontier airlines. He showed us the way at the terminal of the Denver airport. We had to wait before the shops opened, but they accepted the food coupons. We also received seats for “Premium Economy” (which required less time to board and unboard the plane).

We arrived in California safe and sound.

Miss an Event

We had to forgo attending an event on May 19, 2019. Tathagata Meditation Center (San Jose) had celebrations for the Buddha’s Day (aka Thrice Blessed Day).

Posts

• Texas (May 8 – 10, 2019)
• Texas (May 11 – 13, 2019)
• Texas (May 14 – 16, 2019)
• Texas (May 17 – 19, 2019)