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Burmese medics enjoy Jamaica

Published:Sunday | December 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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From left: Dr Yin Yin Win and Dr Kyaw Ze Ya with Dr Thita Min Din and Dr Soe Win are caught on camera as they enjoy their cocktails.
Seated from left are Drs Hla Hla Win, Mya Mya Aye and Myint Myint Win with host, local practitioner Dr Soe Naung (standing).
Marie Lee (left) and Dr T.T. May smile for the camera while celebrating at a farewell dinner in their honour at the Dragon Court Restaurant in Montego Bay, on Friday, December 9.-Photos by Janet Silvera
Deborah chee (left, seated and Rachael Wai Aung with David Chee and Dr. Htoo Aung (right, standing).
From left (front row) Nu Nu Hlaing and Khin Sanda Myr wit (from left, back row) Drs Ko Ko Hliang, Khine Mye and Khin Zan Tha Maung.
From left: Dr Freda Than, Dr Frd Chin, M.M. Than and Dr Myint U, who all attended medical school from 1971-1979.
From left: Meena Thain and husband Dr Kishore Thain with Tourism Enhancement Fund's Godfrey Dyer (right) and his wife, Odette.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU: Having had the luxury of hosting their last reunion in Malaysia, a group of 30 Burmese doctors who entered medical school in 1971 selected destination Jamaica this time around for their annual get-together.

And after a week of experiencing authentic Jamaican offerings, the 30 friends, some who travelled from as far as Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, have left the country as unofficial ambassadors.

Before leaving the country, the group was hosted at a farewell dinner by compatriots local physicians doctors Soe Naung and his wife, Thwe, at the Dragon Court Restaurant at Fairview in Montego Bay, on Friday, December 9.

Both doctors, like true Jamaicans, not only opened up their Spring Farm home to the group, but shared the sights and sounds of Jamaica through its rich cultural heritage, art, world-class attractions, unique food and people.

"They sampled and savoured at Riu Tropical Palace, Negril, wetted their feet at YS Falls and Dunn's River Falls, watched jumping from the cliffs of the Rick's Café before heading to Little Ochie, which known for its unparralled seafood," Dr Soe Naung told Outlook Magazine during dinner.

He said his classmates of paediatricians, gynaecologists, psychiatrists, anaesthetists, oncologists, gastroenterologists, ophthalmologists and ear, nose and throat specialists would not leave the country before visiting cultural centre of the Caribbean, Kingston.

As if Kingston was not enough, they trekked all the way to Portland for the Boston jerk pork and Jamaican patties at the beautiful and unspoiled Frenchman's Cove.

At the end of the trip, the group members said the people, the beaches and the weather are among the things that will remain imprinted in their memories for years to come.

So will the papaya, jackfruit, June plum, mangoes, bananas, jelly coconut and the national dish, ackee and salt fish, that they tasted every step of the way.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com