My A319 landed at Mingalardon Airport (Yangon) at 05:55 in the morning and taxied to the International Terminal. The air bridge was quickly attached and the Business cabin quickly emptied into the almost-empty terminal. Immigration was the first stop and two queues had formed ('Myanmar' and 'Foreigners') well before before the immigration officers took up their posts. By the time I got to Baggage Reclaim, all the Business Class luggage (usually first off) was lined up on the floor. All baggage was X-rayed on the way out but, having handed over the customs declaration, I was in the arrivals hall at 06:15 - the published arrival time.
After a few minutes,Doctor Hla Tun arrived by car, accompanied by his son, to collect me. We drove towards the city and the Doctor thought I should be given breakfast. We stopped at an already-busy Indian-style restaurant with hordes of waiters in numbered blue T-shirts who shouted their orders at the top of their voices. I was O.K. with the Naan bread and Steamed Rice but I was encouraged to try some simple vegetarian fare which, unfortunately, overwhelmed my delicate digestion resulting in a bout of sickness later.
The Doctor had booked a day room for me at the Winner Inn, a hotel just a short distance from his house.
The Winner Inn, Yangon.
I spent the morning lying on my bed (feeling sorry for myself) before being collected at noon by the Doctor for lunch at his home where I met his wife again and, for the first time, his mother-in-law. I'm afraid I didn't do justice to the splendid meal provided. Having dosed me for my indigestion, the Doctor returned me to my hotel, suggesting a quiet afternoon. He said he would return around 7.30 p.m. to collect me for dinner before we set off for Mon State by overnight coach.
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